A very hairy Cob

debsey1

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I am taking delivery of one big, very dirty hairy skewbald cob at the weekend and I am getting prepared for his arrival. The first thing I am going to do (after he has settled in his new stable) is to give him a bath! The only thing I don't have for him yet is any rugs. What do you advise? I was thinking just a unpadded turnout rug that will keep him clean and dry, is this sufficient considering he is so hairy and won't need the rug for warmth

Thank you
 
Congrats on your new purchase!

If he's big and hairy then I'd say no need for a rug. If you want to keep him clean and dry then yes a rain sheet would suffice.

If you're planning on bathing him in this cold weather, maybe a fleece/wicking rug might be a good idea too, to stop him from getting chilly whilst he dries off?

Be sure to post pictures of him on here once he arrives :)
 
Congratulations on your new purchase but why do you feel compelled to give him a bath in this cold weather? As well as being hairy, he will have built up oils in his coat which will help to keep him protected from the elements at the moment. Surely a good groom will suffice until it warms up a bit?
 
Ooh do you have a picture?! We washed my hairy at the weekend as it was very warm and he was completely covered after our ride, although we only washed his legs and tummy... Body will have to wait a while :p have a look around on eBay, there are some very cheap lightweight things to keep them dry and clean :)
 
Don't have any pictures at the moment but will be taking loads at the weekend before and after pics. Will be very proud to show him off then :) All I can say right now is that he must love to roll because I have never seen such a dirty boy!!
 
Please don't wet too much of him - he will take hours to dry and it is supposed to be getting quite cold over the next few days.
 
I can just imagine him gleaming with his white bits looking very white then him being turned out and finding the nicest muddiest part of the field and having a good roll.
Our Dolly is a hairy cob, luckily black but the time spent grooming (for my Hubby at the mo) is horrendous due to her rolling. Any bit not covered by rug is disgusting inc her beautiful flowing mane and tail. I adore her tail and when feeling healthy, I can happily groom it for hours.
Enjoy him and I echo what others have said, give him a really good work through with a plastic curry comb as we find that's the best for Dolly. I wouldn't dream of bathing any animal at this time of year. I'm wussy enough myself to get out our bath if the heating isn't on.
 
Thanks for all your comments and on reflection I think I won't be bathing him until the weather warms up, in the meantime, I'll be purchasing him a new lightweight turnout rug to keep him clean & dry. Soooo excited, four more sleeps until he arrives :):)
 
Congratulations on your new hairy. I have to clip my hairy one else he sweats just standing in the field. If you do end up washing him, be prepared for a long drying out time. I have known my cob to take up to 24 hours to dry unless we have a warm breeze. Even though I'm sure he'll be as tough as old boots, you may need to lightly rug him while he dries out otherwise he may get a chill. Being wet from the rain isn't the same as washing as the hair close to the skin remains dry.
If you're familiar with hairy cobs, you'll already be au fait with hair in excess, but try to leave his feathers alone as much as possible during the winter. Just brush out when dry and check behind his knees and heels for scabs/sores. Keep on top of scurf behind knees by brushing out regularly and apply oil, if needed to stop the skin getting dry and cracking. If there are cracks slap some sudocreme on. Sudocreme is also a good sunblock on pink summer noses/sheaths, and deters midges from biting delicate parts.
I'm sorry if you know all this already,but the hairy ones have too much insulation for their own good sometimes.
Have loads of fun and post photo's when he arrives, I absolutely love yob cobs.
 
Everyone should be lucky enough to have a fabulous hairy cob in their lives at least once, if not more. Congratulations on finding yours. Look forward to a photo fest when he arrives. And I'm with the majority saying please don't give him a bath for now.

Once you have brushed the mud out of his legs use pig oil and sulphur, brilliant stuff and will help keep the worst of the mud off and deter mites as well.
 
hey

ocngratz on the new horse, i have a fat hairy cob mare and she jus has a very cheap light weight just to stop her getting to dirty as she is more white then anything..

good luck with him
xx
 
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