any tips on avoiding burning feathers when being shod?

[Splish & Masons mum]

Hi,
I've owned a 4 year old, unshod traditional coloured cob for about 4 months now, and after taking him out on a very flinty stony track the other week, and him being hopping lame on both front feet with bruised soles for a further week, I've decided I'm going to have front shoes put on him.
When I pick out his feet I have trouble seeing the soles through the hair, so I have to part it with my hand, and I know the farrier isn't going to be nearly as careful!
Short of bandaging his legs, which might make it harder for him to bend them and pick up his feet for the farrier, (and the hair pokes out the bottom of the bandages!) I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to protect his feathers when he is having his shoes on?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Lippyx]

Well, I was going to say bandaging, but what about tying them up with plaiting bands? I would give bandaging ago, and tucking the hair up inside first though, as I think this would work well. Good luck!!

 

[Capriole]

pull a tubigrip over the hoof and over the feathers, the feathers will be fluffed upward the wrong way and its not tight enough to affect flexion

 

[LMuirEDT]

I was thinking that but with ladies tights not tubigrip!

 

[RolyPolyPony]

I 2nd the tights! A friend has a cob x shire (LOTS of feathers!) always has tights over feathers when being shod.

 

[Capriole]

personally, from a safety viewpoint, i prefer tubigrip (which is 80% + cotton) in the vicinity of a heat source than nylon? tights which melts not scorches if an accident happens

 

[cloptonpartridge]

pull a tubigrip over the hoof and over the feathers, the feathers will be fluffed upward the wrong way and its not tight enough to affect flexion

my farrier uses on my cob its also great for keeping feathers clean if you have a show coming up

 

[Spudlet]

I have images of huge hairy beasties mincing about in fishnets and stilettos in my head now Like a rugby team's night out

 

[Tickles]

I've seen big cotton sports socks (toes snipped out) and wool leg warmers used. All very 1980's 'Fame' but seemed to work

 

[Silverspring]

personally, from a safety viewpoint, i prefer tubigrip (which is 80% + cotton) in the vicinity of a heat source than nylon? tights which melts not scorches if an accident happens

Common sense from at least one poster another suggestion would be big cotton socks (like the one's you get in outdoor shops) you might have to bandage over to keep them in place but so long as it's not too tight it shouldn't stop him bending his leg.

 

[moodymares]

i used to use tights on my heavy when he was shod.... With feet the size of dinner plates and the amount of bone he has we would never have got a tubigrip on!!

 

[katherine1975]

My farrier carries tubigrip in his van and uses it on my coblets legs, it works well.

 

[joeanne]

I have images of huge hairy beasties mincing about in fishnets and stilettos in my head now Like a rugby team's night out

PMSL I knew it would be you that thought of something like that!!!

 

[abina]

second tubi grip - use them on my coloured cob and no problem with flexion and the farrier appreciates it as it make hard work for him fighting with feathers can see more clearly.

 

[Tiggy1]

Tights are the best !!!

 

[Spudlet]

PMSL I knew it would be you that thought of something like that!!!

What, moi?

 

[potty_4_piebalds]

tubigrip! its great after my old farrier burning my old ponies feathers i used it it does the job and i use tubigrip on his legs when i jumped him because he was forever tripping over them

the farrier that i use now i saw him wrap a horses feathers in cling fim the other week but it doesnt work as well as tubigrip.

 

[Donkeymad]

I would recommend Tubigrip over tights also.

 

[Fii]

i used to use tights on my heavy when he was shod.... With feet the size of dinner plates and the amount of bone he has we would never have got a tubigrip on!!

I have a Shire, my farrier uses the tubigrip stuff.

 

[kateknights]

My OH has just come up with an idea, how about overeach boots on upside down???
K x

 

[Angelbones]

I have to get my farrier to singe off the feathers on one pony who cannot be done any other way - even under extreme sedation!

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I'd suggest getting a careful farrier.
I have had several fully-feathered horses, shod over the years by 4 different farriers and NONE of them have ever been singed. I'd be very wary of putting any fabric or plastic over the feather because if singeing is a possibility that sounds very dangerous.
I have heard of one local farrier who asked for feather to be bandaged but I don't employ him.

 

[Toffee44]

Me and my Farrier must be a bit dim never have thought of tubi grip. Dunk each foot in a bucket of water before he shoes. Seems to work.

 

[Fii]

I have to get my farrier to singe off the feathers on one pony who cannot be done any other way - even under extreme sedation!

I am sorry , it's late, and i should be in bed, but.... i don't understand your statement Why would you want to singe of his feathers??

 

[RSL]

What about some sort of gel? to stick it back while your doing his feet?