Feathers!

[liveforsummer]

I've ridden, had and/or worked with horses for not far off 40 years but this one a now my first experience of something with feathers after I bought a lovely little cob for dc. Everything I've had to date has been TB's or those of similar build with no leg hair. Bought in December and gave him a little Irish clip but left his feathers alone as felt they were protecting his legs from the mud. Since he's been here he's thrived and his hair has definitely grown loads. Feathers are longer but I've noticed him today itching his legs - the hinds with his opposite leg and front with his head. Is it best to just shave them off now and will that alone solve the issue or do I need to us me feather oil etc? I had hi viz wraps on him previous to seeing the itching so I guess that could be related too but he only walked out, didn't sweat so i doubt it.

I’m new to feather (feather not feathers, one of the first things I learnt 😆) too but there is lots of information out there. Look on Facebook for ‘gypsy hair care’ and ‘mallanders and sallander’. There is a divide between those that clip and those that don’t. You can see what’s going on if you clip but like you say they do offer protection. I have two hairy horse now and I spray on pig oil and sulphur and brush through, but not when it’s too hot as it can burn the hair. This acts as a mud repellant and is also antibacterial. I also periodically treat with frontline for dogs. If there any scaling flaky skin on the back of the knees this is mallanders. I apply a dermoline cream (though can also use farrier cream) and leave it on to soften the scaly bit then brush through with a bit comb. Bit of work but the feather does look beautiful. I wouldn’t underestimate how hot and itchy the wrap might make them either mine get warm easily even though they are clipped out

Yes he's a little hot bod and does get itchy when sweaty. I guess it could be related to the wraps as we've just started using them (full on hi viz after a local rider was hit by a car) and I havent noticed the itching before now

A friend of mines cob used to get leg mites. Unfortunately tge weather that we've been experiencing is the perfect environment for mud fever and leg mites. Their cob used to have an injection that cleared it up after they'd tried topical treatments that didn't work.

I used to clip my cobs feathers off once a year and treat anything underneath- usually a patch of mud fever. If you aren't showing him it's fine to clip them off.

I would bin the wraps and get rider to wear hi viz and get a hi viz exercise sheet

Plenty rider hi viz too @Stugs. 😆 Although i ditched the wraps tonight and no itching so do feel they were the issue. Will put them on tomorrow to confirm. Not using a sheet as I feel he'd be too hot, he's only rugged in the field at night in very cold/wet conditions so having one when exercising would be a bit much. Will use when he is fully clipped in future though

I think you'll be OK without the wraps 😀

I also wouldn't rule out mites, any stamping or itching against posts etc show this, you won't see them. With the injection, deocect and expensive imported head and shoulders (really) at set regular intervals we are now on top of them and has made a massive difference. Feathers cover loads and my poor young mare had huge sores especially on her lower hind she used to drag on post and rail until it bled and her front sores made her a little lame so something to take seriously/ nip in bud.

Agree! He looks gorgeous. But I think he needs a little set of hi viz ear covers to really set off the ensemble :)

Oh I was expecting a heavy cob. Your horse is gorgeous, reminds me of my first horse. I was going to suggest feather notes also but seeing the photo I'd wonder if it was the wraps? I'd hang fire for a while but if the scratching starts again then have a word with your vet for treatment.

There's more feather there that it looks as the wraps are pinning it down but he's definitely not a traditional type. I'd say welsh x cob. I do think it was the wraps and being too hot. Caught him itching one other time since without wraps but that was after a reasonably long hack and he gets very warm. Anyway decided it was easiest/safest just to get him a little hair cut so he's even daintier. He's just a baby so a bit of filling out to do still but now I can monitor skin a bit better. He's covered in lumps and bumps on his neck too but I suspect that's from the rough and tumble on the field with his pals

@Gremlinsateit I'm not a big fan of ears in general but I feel on this occasion you're probably right 😆. Working out the size will be fun so far my mix and match bridle is pony cheek pieces on a cob head piece. Cob brow band too a bit tight so need to change and full sized nose band. Honestly I never knew these ponies were so awkward, don't even get me started on the saddle! Horses are so much easier 🤣