Anyone else got a hairy cob that stamps it's back legs...

scattynuttymare

Well-Known Member
Joined
5 December 2007
Messages
390
Location
Essex / suffolk boarder
Visit site
Not all the time just cetain times of the year. I can rule out mites for mine. He just stamps away like anything, occasionaly so much he actually stamps his hind shoe off!

Sometimes he scratches too so that he bleeds.... unless he's going through a self harming phase!!

What do you use to put on / wash legs with?
 
It could be greasy heel or mellanders and scelanders (sp) I would reccommend pig oil & sulphur powder (can be bought from heavy horse supplys)

Think I still have a pm with all the stuff on it I will have a look and forward it to you
 
Don't know if you can rule out mites. My vet told me they are so hard to get rid of. Even the injection doesn't always work. I cut off feathers and used this stuff my vet gave and that didn't work either. They are a nightmare to get rid of.
 
athletes foot spray works too
grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
are you sure its not mites? sounds like it.

[/ QUOTE ]

He's been skin scraped several times already, each one coming back clear. There are no scabs or anything there. Just the occasional little cut. It seems to be seasonal with him.

Vet said to shampoo his legs and put cream on but so far its not worked. I'm just working my way through the range of stuff trying to find one that does!
 
A lot of cobs have itchy feet which makes them stamp them alot. Although if he's stamped his shoe off I agree with above it could be some skin irritation. Frontline is supposed to be good and hibi scrub.
 
We have a cob at my yard with feathers, he stamps his back feet a lot and he has thrush, not sure what other symptons are present with thrush, but you can hear him having a right stamp.
 
i use the insectidcal shampoo its really good i use it to keep the mites away etc cause when i brought my mare she was covered in mites it got to a point where she had no hair left on back legs soon as i used this shes got better
 
My old welsh D did this, the only thing that cured it was to spray his legs with vinegar, worth a shot before you clip the feathers off
 
get out the vet, he'll give your horse an injection to stop the itching....

then just keep area clean and dry.
 
oh yes.
frown.gif
i had the same problem my my lad. it was a perenniel one, winter being the worst time, with unbeliveable scabs running high up inside his hind legs. this was a problem that was only solved when we moved overseas. we tried everything we thought possible - clipping the feather right off, bathing with hibiscrub, drying and applying with dermobian (ghastly green ointment, lanolin based). but every winter the problem returned. he also chewed his front legs to bits, especially around the back of the fetlock. moved here, found an excellent local vet. his first diagnosis was heel mites. took feather off again, vet took skin scrapes and the real problem turned out to be eczema. vet has now developed his own 'serum', for want of a better word, and the cob receives this twice a year (may and november) via an injection. can honestly say, hand on heart, that foot stamping is a thing of the past. such a relief - poor boy was in agony and working him was nigh on impossible. he also lives out now, 24/7 and naked, i'm sure this exposure to constant fresh air has played its part.
smile.gif
 
I do the longest PM in the world about looking after hairy horses. It may be the one you have been sent. If you want it, PM me and I'll send it to you. Think a lot of the H&H hairy horse members now have it.

In short, frontline then pig oil and sulphur. Clipping not necessary unless you have lots of scab/infection.

Some with very thick hair do stamp in summer due to their legs getting hot and sweaty. Keep them as cool as possible and hose with cold water.

Don't wash out feather in winter unless you need clean legs - you will cause more problems that way.

The old P&S does work - have had to clip out Cairo for x-rays (sob) and not a scab in sight.
 
If it is a case of the welfare of your horse or him having feathers then you need to get things into perspective.

Wash his legs and spray them with Frontline spray. Leg mites are very common at this time of year especially with coats changing.
 
Of course not - spread the word - more people with happy hairy horses the better
grin.gif


Only problem is that so many people have bought P&S from Heavy Horse supplies that I have had to wait whilst he got in more stock on my last order.

Have just washed out Chancer for a show - and his feather looks wonderful - shame he often moults out loads in summer.
 
[ QUOTE ]
If it is a case of the welfare of your horse or him having feathers then you need to get things into perspective.

Wash his legs and spray them with Frontline spray. Leg mites are very common at this time of year especially with coats changing.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's not mites - and if it gets so bad that the feathers have to come off then it will happen, I've got things in perspective
tongue.gif
 
One final thing - some horses even if you have got rid of mites stamp as a matter of habit. One mare I had did. She was not itchy, had no leg problems, was religiously looked after by me with regard to her legs but on occasional still like to have a good stamp.

One test is to give them an itch below the fetlocks - if they react, ie lips curl they could have a problem causing itching. However, this not 100% - our old clyde makes faces no matter where you itch him as he loves it so much.

Try the stuff in the PM - if nothing else it will keep the feather in great condition, especially in the winter and the P&S make it a very undesirable enviroment for mites - they cannot tolerate the conditions it creates.
 
Top