Bald Sides?

[dwi]

Daisy seems to be getting rub marks on her sides where my legs are against her. I've had her two years on the 4th and she hasn't got these before. Would you think it would just be change of coat?

 

[Louby]

My boys got small bald patches in the same area too although he is clipped. He did last year too and I put it down to his coat changing. My old mare was very fine and she got them where the reins touched the sides of her neck at this time of year.

 

[Bert&Maud]

Mine has the same. Either I'm using my legs too much (highly unlikely!) or his coat is changing - it's only happened in the last couple of weeks.

 

[Daisychain]

Are you wearing different chaps/boots, which could be causing some friction?

 

[Tierra]

Do your lower legs swing when you ride?

 

[dwi]

[ QUOTE ]
Are you wearing different chaps/boots, which could be causing some friction?

[/ QUOTE ]

chaps? what are those?

At the risk of sounding really scruffy I'll admit to riding wearing just yard boots and combat trousers. Everyone says does that not rub on your legs but it doesn't seem to. Caps would be just one more thing to clean. Surely cotton combat trousers aren't rubbing her hair off?

 

[Daisychain]

Well something must be!

 

[Tierra]

Depending on how you apply your leg, its quite feasible to rub the hair off; particularly if your lower leg is insecure (most common in trot) and swings backwards and forwards. Alternatively if you kick every stride and are a rider who swings the leg back and upwards to kick, the friction will rub hair

 

[dwi]

[ QUOTE ]
Do your lower legs swing when you ride?

[/ QUOTE ]

I wouldn't have said so particularly, my hands are a bit naff but I'd always thought my legs were quite good. I don't think they've suddenly got worse, D's finally learnt to do a nice canter transition rather than running into it so I must be doing something right. I guess I need to dig the video camera out for you all to have a look for me

 

[Tierra]

Well dont stress over it. I highly doubt her sides are raw so you arent causing her any pain

Just be aware that its happening and something is causing it

To be fair, most people have slightly sneaky lower legs so if you do, you're probably up there with everyone else

 

[LCobby]

Combat trouser have seams, which could rub, and the legs are loose so would move even if you had perfect lower leg postion.
Leather gaiters only need a wipe over, and would protect your trousers from grease, sweat and hair too.