A couple of things that have been bothering me!

[Fools Motto]

Years gone by, I hosed off legs, and put them to bed on straw. Straw seemed to do the trick drying them. Now, with mine living out, best to leave the mud on, mud acts as a barrier against more mud! (My theory anyway!!) When dry I brush it off and check closely for anything remotely like Mud Fever. Previous old pony was prone to it, but touch wood, neither mare nor filly have had it. Right or wrong, I think horses with more white about them, with pink skin tend to suffer from it more. Mare has never had it, she has black legs. Previous pony had 3 whites, and only ever got it on those three legs.
As for rugs, rugged mare for first time the other day, unclipped and now in MW, no neck. (hate necks!) Simply because the weather warranted it, and grass has suddenly lost its vava-voom! Filly will stay fluffy and naked!!

 

[smellsofhorse]

Rubbing a horses wet legs with a towel is more likely to to cause skin problems as you will be rubbing skin and possibly damaging it and rubbing things into it.

Drip drying is better

 

[Prince33Sp4rkle]

Rubbing a horses wet legs with a towel is more likely to to cause skin problems as you will be rubbing skin and possibly damaging it and rubbing things into it.

Drip drying is better

Good point....I tend to wipe down the legs ( with the hair not against it) to take the worst off, any better do you reckon? Or not even worth the time/ energy?!

 

[Pidgeon]

Don't bother towelling off if you are using the thermatex leg wraps. Any brushing or rubbing just pushes any bacteria in as the pores are more open due to hosing.

 

[khalswitz]

MagicMelon - too right!! It's been bitter up here the last few days. My lad still feels plenty warm in his heaviest middleweight at 230g, but he only has a chaser clip and runs pretty warm - but when it was cold and raining the other day I had the extra liner underneath, and schooling him tonight at 2 degrees he needed his exercise fleece on!!

 

[Echo24]

With reguards rugs: - every horse is different so it is what works for you! My horse is fully clipped but only in a 100g because quite simply he gets too hot and throws himself against stable walls to itch or rolls alot in the feild. However if that had been my TB mare she was in a meadium all winter with a blanket clip.

Washing legs:- again everyhorse is different and it depends on how the onwner feels about it I dont wash just let dry in stable whilst I do everything else and brush off.

Horses for courses and everyone does it different there is no right or wrong!

Ditto this!

 

[Costypop]

Well I hose off my horses legs, as I didn't last year and he got mud fever, so going for a different method this year. So lots of pig oil and a hose down when he comes in. We need to walk though 2very muddy gateways before getting to the yard so i think water would dry quicker then cracked on mud anyways. So far so good this year.

As for rugging I normally a "under rug" type of owner but the last 2winters my horse has been horrid in them so again trying a new method of keeping him warmer, he was never cold just warm to the touch instead of toasty, again a huge improvement there so sticking with it

 

[_GG_]

Never had a horse get mud fever. Never washed mud off legs. I do wash it off hooves, but am careful not to get skin.

 

[khalswitz]

I think it's one thing leavin legs to dry when brought in and brushin off - but what do you do when your horse lives out? They won't get a chance to dry, so better to wash off and dry when they briefly come in, or to leave perpetually wet and muddy?

I alternate between leavin them and turning back out, and washing off (not shampooing as want to leave oils on coat), drying off and turning out with chaps to dry and keep legs dry for a day.

 

[Charem]

I wash off legs with cold water and leave them to drip dry if mine are in for the night - warm water opens pores. Also cover them in pig oil every 3 days.

 

[justabob]

Shame.

Your horses seem to suffer with SO many problems that I for one have never come across. I have TBs also, I am just wondering if your regime is altogether just quite right. You do on the other hand have lots of *bling* and are clearly very proud of the fact. I personally would rather look after my horses............well as horses. rather than an extension to my wardrobe, just saying.

 

[khalswitz]

Your horses seem to suffer with SO many problems that I for one have never come across. I have TBs also, I am just wondering if your regime is altogether just quite right. You do on the other hand have lots of *bling* and are clearly very proud of the fact. I personally would rather look after my horses............well as horses. rather than an extension to my wardrobe, just saying.

When has she said they have 'so many problems'? One is spoor doer, one has EPSM - my TB is both!!! So not that bad!

And to be competing successfully at Elem and PSG they must be doing something right? I sure as hell can't get mine through a Prelim without him deciding he'd rather go home!

And with regards to being an extension of their wardrobe? What's wrong with taking in a pride on both your and the horse's appearance? We spend enough blooming' money on them they might as well look nice while they're at it... If you're buying boots or bandages or saddle pads why not make them match? It's just as easy as buying visually offensive clashing colours... and more fun.

Then again mine obviously doesn't have ENOUGH bling, and his performance shows it. <- ETA a here because no amount of bling will save him

It's just a different management style, justabob. And different doesn't mean wrong. What is it they say? Go big or go home?

 

[Moomin1]

I can't abide the whole hosing off, rubbing legs thing with mud fever. One of the best equine vets I know can't either. He despairs at it. He also told me once that too many people over use hibiscrub and it causes more problems with minor ailments because the good bacteria is stripped and nature's healing process is interfered with.

My mare is hunter clipped and is only in a fleece and no fill rain sheet. Temps down to 6 degrees minimum at the moment so still mild.

 

[luckyoldme]

If i was back on a livery yard i would make a point of not noticing what rugs others were using. I would go at six in the morning and neglect my unrugged grubby minger in peace.

 

[Ditchjumper2]

Ours are all hunter clipped and at the moment still out 24/7. I don't worry exactly what weight of rug they have on I just make sure they are warm and toasty and rug up or down accordingly.

As for leg washing I only do it if the farrier is coming or the night before hunting.

 

[rising_promise]

1st one - rugging. I know people go on about this all the time but I saw a post on facebook the other day that really annoyed me! “Why do people already have middleweight rugs on already?” Err, because it’s cold, they probably have all their hair shaved off and might be working hard, their owner might want them to be warm and toasty? Now I’m all for letting my horse be naked all summer when he has his natural coat and it’s warm anyway but I think it’s completely different kettle of fish when it’s winter and horses are clipped. Why wouldn’t you have a middleweight on a clipped horse already??

2nd one – leg hosing. I don’t understand why people rinse off their horses legs with cold water everyday and not dry them. Do they realise it’s MORE likely to give them mud fever than if they just left them? I never wash legs in the winter without drying off properly with a towel.

What are peoples thoughts on these? Am I losing the plot??

Cheers
!

First point I agree with- if my horse (5yo TB) was clipped she would have a MW on now. As it is she's unclipped and having a couple of months holiday so is only in a 100gm turnout with neck which she is perfectly comfortable in at the moment being turned out during the day and in at night.

Second point I disagree. 99% of the horses on our yard (assisted DIY and part livery so all horses are turned out/ brought in together by yard manager) are hosed when they come in- unless the mud is dry already. If they are covered in wet mud it will be hosed off. Horses then put back in their stables and left to dry. Reasons for this are: mud fever is caused by wet and warm conditions, a leg that is covered in thick mud will still be wet hours later but a leg that has been hosed and is only wet with water will dry within the hour, especially when put in a stable with a nice bed.

Some of the horses with thick feathers, yes I agree, it is better to leave them muddy because actually when you feel down to their skin, the mud hasn't penetrated the feathers at all so wetting them again would be foolish in that case. Mine being TB though has no feather at all and very fine fur so I prefer the hosing route.

Also, by the time I get there at 5pm (horses have come in at 3 ish), my horses legs are clean and dry and ready to put boots on for riding. If they were left muddy, this would still be wet mud.

Each to their own though, not saying anyone else is wrong, just what I believe

 

[MS123]

My girl isn't clipped but is already in a medium. It was absolutely bitter in the south a few days ago, so I upped her 100g to 200g. It seems to have warmed up a little now though, so I may drop it back down again, depending on how she feels. My friends boy is already in a heavy-weight (he is clipped), but he gets cold so his rugs get upped, simples. It's all dependent on the horse and what he/she requires. I can't understand why people get themselves in a tiz about other people's horses and what rugs they're in, poke your nose out and focus on your own horse ...that's what I say anyway

 

[nikkimariet]

Your horses seem to suffer with SO many problems that I for one have never come across. I have TBs also, I am just wondering if your regime is altogether just quite right. You do on the other hand have lots of *bling* and are clearly very proud of the fact. I personally would rather look after my horses............well as horses. rather than an extension to my wardrobe, just saying.

I believe that counts as quietly imploding, justabob.

 

[susi]

As someone that has a horse who shivers in summer (and yes she was cold not scared etc, shes whats described as a 'special' pony my mare has a middle weight rug on and no shes not clipped. she simply feels the cold.

washing legs, i cant wash her legs as she has an odd allergy to water. long story i did say she was 'special' but my old horse had his legs hosed when needed and dried totally.

its the way its always been and people dont like change unfortunately.

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

I have a white horse (was grey, now most definitely white) who loves mud. We live on clay ground and he rolls for a pastime.

I only wash his legs for hunting and then only if I can't get away with brushing the mud off.

I use Gold Label Mud Guard twice a week on all bits that get muddy including face and ears. I brush the dry mud off when he comes in and put thermatex leg wraps on and whatever mud hasn't been brushed off tends to fall over overnight due to amazingness of Mud Guard.

I only ever use shampoo for his tail. I get the excess water off his legs before putting wraps on by running down his legs with one of those large car washing sponges you get from the garage. I go round all four legs and then go round again. Gets most of the water off.

And in a medium weight with full hunter clip and he's happy.

 

[Prince33Sp4rkle]

Your horses seem to suffer with SO many problems that I for one have never come across. I have TBs also, I am just wondering if your regime is altogether just quite right. You do on the other hand have lots of *bling* and are clearly very proud of the fact. I personally would rather look after my horses............well as horses. rather than an extension to my wardrobe, just saying.

and just to clarify, for those genuinely interested (and not just being a cow)

EPSM cannot be cured, only managed. so there is nothing i can do to stop CS *having it* if that makes sense.

he had cellultiis twice and since changing regime to daily washing and 3 x week hibi spray it hasnt come back, so something must be working yes? if he was STILL getting it in a chronic fashion i could 100% understand your critisism of our routine but the fact is its helped, so dont see your problem?

Ulcers-a lot of horse and an awfuil lot of TB's suffer, CS are currently under control.

so what problems exactly am i/we ignorign or not treating? and i want evidence of this justabob, if you are going to say such nasty things, at least have something there to back up your accusations (unless of course its just green eyed monster and total *******s?).

i do have a lot of nice stuff and im proud of how hard i work to buy it. I dont think the horses give a rats ass if they wear pink matchy and bling or a black numnah and brushing boots. as long as they are well fed, watered, have plenty of turnout, company and all their medical needs met, what i dress them in, has zero impact on them.

money is never spent on bling that is needed for food, vet, rugs etc.

so again what is your problem? how is having nice *stuff* a welfare problem? or is it just a jealousy problem?

as some kind person has pointed out (thank you ) to have 2 horses competing regularly, doing well, and staying very sound, must show we are doing something right...................horses dont train themseves to GP level and stay in the pink of health without a little bit of hard work and knowledge...............

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

and just to clarify, for those genuinely interested (and not just being a cow)

EPSM cannot be cured, only managed. so there is nothing i can do to stop CS *having it* if that makes sense.

he had cellultiis twice and since changing regime to daily washing and 3 x week hibi spray it hasnt come back, so something must be working yes? if he was STILL getting it in a chronic fashion i could 100% understand your critisism of our routine but the fact is its helped, so dont see your problem?

Ulcers-a lot of horse and an awfuil lot of TB's suffer, CS are currently under control.

so what problems exactly am i/we ignorign or not treating? and i want evidence of this justabob, if you are going to say such nasty things, at least have something there to back up your accusations (unless of course its just green eyed monster and total *******s?).

i do have a lot of nice stuff and im proud of how hard i work to buy it. I dont think the horses give a rats ass if they wear pink matchy and bling or a black numnah and brushing boots. as long as they are well fed, watered, have plenty of turnout, company and all their medical needs met, what i dress them in, has zero impact on them.

money is never spent on bling that is needed for food, vet, rugs etc.

so again what is your problem? how is having nice *stuff* a welfare problem? or is it just a jealousy problem?

as some kind person has pointed out (thank you ) to have 2 horses competing regularly, doing well, and staying very sound, must show we are doing something right...................horses dont train themseves to GP level and stay in the pink of health without a little bit of hard work and knowledge...............

Well said!!!!!!!

 

[RunToEarth]

Second point I disagree. 99% of the horses on our yard (assisted DIY and part livery so all horses are turned out/ brought in together by yard manager) are hosed when they come in- unless the mud is dry already. If they are covered in wet mud it will be hosed off. Horses then put back in their stables and left to dry. Reasons for this are: mud fever is caused by wet and warm conditions, a leg that is covered in thick mud will still be wet hours later but a leg that has been hosed and is only wet with water will dry within the hour, especially when put in a stable with a nice bed.

Also, by the time I get there at 5pm (horses have come in at 3 ish), my horses legs are clean and dry and ready to put boots on for riding. If they were left muddy, this would still be wet mud.

Each to their own though, not saying anyone else is wrong, just what I believe

I agree with you. From my POV washing horses legs, towelling and then bandaging each night is surely promoting the right warm, damp conditions to incubate mud fever and other bacterial infections. I love the horses to be clean, but not at the compromise of their legs.

 

[Goldenstar]

The trick with horses is to watch others and what they do and learn from it without getting into a sweat about what they do , or say they do on FB .
You have to work at being the best you can be so they can be the best they can be learning with an open mind from others ( the good and the bad ) is part of that .
My horses are wearing heavy wieghts in the stable mediums in the field during the day as I dislike them hot while turned out I don't care what any one else does but if I see someone doing interesting different things I will ask and think it through.

 

[Goldenstar]

Your horses seem to suffer with SO many problems that I for one have never come across. I have TBs also, I am just wondering if your regime is altogether just quite right. You do on the other hand have lots of *bling* and are clearly very proud of the fact. I personally would rather look after my horses............well as horses. rather than an extension to my wardrobe, just saying.

You had a bad day yesterday as well did you justabob ?
Bling , matchy matchy , mixy matchy etc is fun and does no harm to horse what so ever .
A completely uncalled for comment.

 

[susi]

Well said!!!!!!!

very well said. horses dont look and preform great by magic

 

[Spyda]

Woo hoo! I wash mud off with a hose every evening if they come in plastered!! How else can you check your horse's legs for nicks, heat or swellings? And I find hooves that are perpetually covered in thick mud dry out. I do dry afterwards, though, and have a collection of clean towels for the job. I also have Thermatex leg wraps to use if it's particularly cold.

As for rugging, why not use a medium weight already if your horse is clipped, very fine coated or turned out without shelter from the wind/rain? Each to their own IMO. Wouldn't agree with super heavyweight rugs or multiple layering just yet, but a medium weight rug? What's the fuss about??!!! LOL

 

[Spyda]

Your horses seem to suffer with SO many problems that I for one have never come across. I have TBs also, I am just wondering if your regime is altogether just quite right. You do on the other hand have lots of *bling* and are clearly very proud of the fact. I personally would rather look after my horses............well as horses. rather than an extension to my wardrobe, just saying.

Rather harsh Justabob

 

[Marydoll]

and just to clarify, for those genuinely interested (and not just being a cow)

EPSM cannot be cured, only managed. so there is nothing i can do to stop CS *having it* if that makes sense.

he had cellultiis twice and since changing regime to daily washing and 3 x week hibi spray it hasnt come back, so something must be working yes? if he was STILL getting it in a chronic fashion i could 100% understand your critisism of our routine but the fact is its helped, so dont see your problem?

Ulcers-a lot of horse and an awfuil lot of TB's suffer, CS are currently under control.

so what problems exactly am i/we ignorign or not treating? and i want evidence of this justabob, if you are going to say such nasty things, at least have something there to back up your accusations (unless of course its just green eyed monster and total *******s?).

i do have a lot of nice stuff and im proud of how hard i work to buy it. I dont think the horses give a rats ass if they wear pink matchy and bling or a black numnah and brushing boots. as long as they are well fed, watered, have plenty of turnout, company and all their medical needs met, what i dress them in, has zero impact on them.

money is never spent on bling that is needed for food, vet, rugs etc.

so again what is your problem? how is having nice *stuff* a welfare problem? or is it just a jealousy problem?

as some kind person has pointed out (thank you ) to have 2 horses competing regularly, doing well, and staying very sound, must show we are doing something right...................horses dont train themseves to GP level and stay in the pink of health without a little bit of hard work and knowledge...............

Well said, but try not to rise to the bait, ignoring will have more effect

 

[Fransurrey]

Can't say I worry too much about other people's horses and rugs, although I did have to look twice when I noticed a horse tied up this morning with three stable rugs on!