Best way to keep him clean over winter?

[Kitei]

So Harry, my 2 year old cob, has moved from all-year turn out in a muddy field, to stabled at night with 5-6 hours turn out at the moment. He's adapted well to it, but I'm finding it's a real trouble keeping him clean.

He loves to roll. So I've been coming up in the morning to find a wet, dirty horse because he typically rolls where he bathrooms, even though his stable is huge. He just has to pick that spot. He's in full winter coat, with no rugs unless it's reallly cold, as he overheats otherwise. His coat is filthy all the way through; as much as I groom, he's still got balls of dried mud at the root of his hair in places.

Currently I'm thinking of having him clipped, full body except for his hairy cob legs, which are keeping his legs protected, and having him in a medium stable rug at night (well sheltered stable area) and his turn out rug. He's a nice hardy type; this is the first time he's been stabled regularly.

Was thinking, if I did this, at least I could hot towel during the winter to get the worst of the dirt off, and he's not going to be wet overnight, if he decides to roll.

Would this, in people's opinions, work well?

 

[AmyMay]

It's an unclipped two year old - it doesn't need to be kept clean!

 

[WelshD]

I wouldnt worry too much either - my two year old is the same but i just squint and pretend he looks fine

In a couple of years time he will need to be kept respectable but at the moment unless you are showing him i would let it go a bit

 

[Kitei]

It's more the fact that when I saw him earlier, he was soaked with pee on one side (looked it, smelled like it). Pretty sure that can't be comfortable, and I'm not happy turning him out that wet in near-freezing temperatures.

Not fussed about his appearance, per say. He's wonderfully scruffy, and I like him that way.

 

[twiggy2]

let him live out again problem solved

 

[be positive]

Why does he need to be clean, he is a horse and being covered in mud is natural, clipping him just so you can feel he is clean and having to rug him is not really fair, let him be until he is older and in work then worry about keeping him smart.

 

[Kitei]

Livery in question doesn't have 24/7 grazing in winter.

 

[twiggy2]

so move it is not ideal for a youngster to spend son much time stabled

 

[WelshD]

I would personally try a lightweight turnout in the stable then. I know people say they flatten the coat and leave the horse colder but personally i dont believe that so thats what i would do.

 

[MadBlackLab]

It's an unclipped two year old - it doesn't need to be kept clean!

agree with this

 

[Kitei]

Again, it's less the smart looking that I'm after, and more that I want him to be dry and comfortable, and am having difficulty doing so currently.

Hadn't thought of that, WelshD, but quite happy to try it. I do have a lightweight turnout for him currently.

Can see why people thought otherwise, though. Apologies, I'm not very good at phrasing things.

 

[AmyMay]

He will be dry, as the moisture will be on top of his coat, not penetrating to the skin.

 

[Buddy'sMum]

I wouldn't clip him, plenty of time for that when he's older and working for a living. Don"t worry about him getting a bit wet from roling in pee in his stable, it won't do him any harm at all.