Best clip for a veteran TB for medical reasons..

[SaharaS]

Hello...
Just looking for a few suggestions/thoughts as to what to do

My helpful so called thoughtful occasional groom borrowed a few rugs(her horse is miles away & I never see him so didn't know till over heard) without telling me to use on her horse when it had a skin infection...was spotted returning a rug & I was told by a curtain twitching old dear (thank God) three of my 5 developed the same infection which is now clearing-similar to a streptococcus infection on rump & saddle patch, same side on all three-each developed quickly after switching to their second(spare) heavyweight hooded rugs that had been in the drying barn so I was none the wiser till the extra rain etc..

Treated each with hibiscrub washes & septilcleanse purple spray & zinc & castor oil twice daily and seem to be lessened but slow to go completely, my oldest mare(25yr old TB) struggling the most. My 17hh gelding then cleared but kept itching so I clipped his original patch out & found a few bumpy acne like scabs not pus filled but itchy. So I clipped gradually then decided to take everything off but half head & legs. This has worked well & he's easy to safely sponge bath & dry off quickly now...the other mare has healed up so is fine-not ridden as broodmare. The 17hh gelding & my 25yr old will be in light work, schooling only as my creaky old bones allow-I'm thinking I feel strong enough to start riding gently again (at the moment) but would not hesitate to clip if I knew I would be up to riding all the time or at least 4/5 times each a week health depending. All three are TBs the veteran mare 25 has always been a poor doer-had her since 7 but she's gaining weight & holding it too and they are only out now for 3-6 hours a day, properly rugged in heavyweight combos & all have spare middle & lightweight so i can control their rugging well and numerous rugs each like fleeces coolers witneys etc & under sheets so can easily be kept warm...adlib beautiful hay & fed correctly for their individual needs broken into 3 meals a day. Last night I clipped her patches but again noticed a few tiny strays & so clipped out a large rectangle on her near side and the same but also over her o/s quarter too....I always used to give them all hunter clips but am not sure if I should with her. She WILL look silly till its grown out, and the rest of her coat is shiney & glossy & even the clipped areas were not dull in the slightest so indicating she's healthier than not(you know what I mean!) What is the best way to clip her? I could leave her neck on or start off like a trace clip or just take the channel of under the neck...belly (on/off) & girth & neaten up the saddle & quarters or leave neck on completely & take girth off & neaten up? It currently looks a bit like I've placed an exercise sheet on drawn a line & clipped out the sheet bit...I just don't want her to look a mess & want her to be easy care as far as sponge baths go and to get the infection gone completely.....or just all off except legs & head....it has been exceptionally mild but I worry!Many thanks in advance for your help

 

[Rosehip]

I cant understand why you havent had any replies!!
Personally, as you have plenty of rugs, and you know your mare so well, I would clip her out - leaving head and legs - to help you get rid of the scabby, itchy bits and keep her comfy.
My old lad (36 when he passed away) had skin problems, probably related to his cushings and the various food intollerences he developed as he got older, so I kept him clipped out and rugged and he was happy as a pig in poo!
My big girl (fell in sig) is kept at least partially clipped as her coat is so thick I cant get to her skin to groom her properly, and she gets scabby armpits and major dandruff! She is retired too.
Hope some of that helps! If you havent already, post your question in stable yard or veterinary, you might get more responses x

 

[SaharaS]

I cant understand why you havent had any replies!!
Personally, as you have plenty of rugs, and you know your mare so well, I would clip her out - leaving head and legs - to help you get rid of the scabby, itchy bits and keep her comfy.
My old lad (36 when he passed away) had skin problems, probably related to his cushings and the various food intollerences he developed as he got older, so I kept him clipped out and rugged and he was happy as a pig in poo!
My big girl (fell in sig) is kept at least partially clipped as her coat is so thick I cant get to her skin to groom her properly, and she gets scabby armpits and major dandruff! She is retired too.
Hope some of that helps! If you havent already, post your question in stable yard or veterinary, you might get more responses x

Thank you Rosehip, for bumping my post & for your kind reply! I think being new years day not many can face my epic saga style of writing..am not known for short/sweet or to the point posts! I will see if I get any more in vet/stable yard as suggested...am inclined to think clipping her out but hindsight etc etc so all replies much appreciated..I used to be indecisive..but now I'm just not so sure! V impressed with your 36 yr old and lovely fell..I really don't blame you for clipping her..I knew a gorgeous fell once & she used to grow a coat most yetti & eskimos would be proud of...and absolutely impenetrable too but she would still tell tales & pull 'brrrr shiver faces when everyone else had rugs on and then try pull them off the other(always sucessfully....she had also perfected the butter wouldn't melt face too hehe thank you again and Happy New year xx

 

[miller]

My 22yo had similar earlier in winter - clipped out without a thought to treat and he's only in light work - far quicker to get rid of prob and if rugged enough won't be a prob x

 

[SaharaS]

My 22yo had similar earlier in winter - clipped out without a thought to treat and he's only in light work - far quicker to get rid of prob and if rugged enough won't be a prob x

Thank you Miller...I've taken the worst off and suspect she may be clean elsewhere so to speak...think you right...she will be 100% clear faster than any niggly bits re infecting...and in turn spend less energy recovering and feel better...I guess no negative responses means I'm not doing the wrong thing& being a bad mother!..thank you and Happy New Year x

 

[Keimanp]

I'd just keep it as clipping the areas where the irritation is out and leaving the rest on. If it looks as you say, as though you have put an exercise sheet on and clipped out underneath it, you could always ride with an exercise sheet on so she doesn't look too odd.

Its only asthetics you are asking about and have done the right thing by making the irritated areas easier to look after. As you say she is not in much work at the moment and the possiblity of increasing her work load in the short term to require a full clip out is minimal. I would leave it as is and review it if you are going to exercise her a lot more.

I dare say she doesn't really mind if the hair is missing or not as long as she is warm and fed and would rather the irritation not be there!

Happy New Year

Robert

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

If it were me I'd just clip her out and rug her well. Easier to treat and look after

 

[kerilli]

i'd clip her out too i think, then it's easier to see any problem areas and zap them asap.
i'd also strangle your occasional groom, probably!

 

[SaharaS]

i'd also strangle your occasional groom, probably!

probably??? Not a word I choose to entertain when it comes to occasional groom...she is now going to be very festively unoccasional!x

I'd just keep it as clipping the areas where the irritation is out and leaving the rest on. If it looks as you say, as though you have put an exercise sheet on and clipped out underneath it, you could always ride with an exercise sheet on so she doesn't look too odd.

Its only asthetics you are asking about and have done the right thing by making the irritated areas easier to look after. As you say she is not in much work at the moment and the possiblity of increasing her work load in the short term to require a full clip out is minimal. I would leave it as is and review it if you are going to exercise her a lot more.

I dare say she doesn't really mind if the hair is missing or not as long as she is warm and fed and would rather the irritation not be there!

Happy New Year

Robert

One more name to add to my very sensible person list....its only me who will know as only me here so incredibly good point Robert thank you...she has a favourite Witney too (pulls faces if anyone touches it except me...hmm now I know why!) She went into the most mesmerized trance while being clipped, complete with dribble bubbles being blown full of bits of supper & half munched carrot so I dare say she's more happy with attention & cuddles than looks...she's no diva! She def seems happier today for it and tbh its the unknown with the weather that worries me more than anything....thank you & Happy New Year to you too

If it were me I'd just clip her out and rug her well. Easier to treat and look after

Thank you FB ...Happy New Year x