Clipping the feathers off a heavy weight cob

[eahotson]

Just wondering whether to do it.She hasn't got mites or anything but she is a heavy weight with a lot of feather and is best kept fully clipped out as she gets hot easily.Her mane has been shortened as it had been rubbed and looked a mess.The feathers are going to get very bouffant soon and we are not planning on showing her.Any thoughts.?

 

[Tiddlypom]

I’d clip them off, she’ll be much more comfortable without them in summer .

You can let them grow out again over winter if you’d prefer that.

I firmly believe that most cobs are happier without their feather and with shortened manes, but many people think they should be left hairy and au natural.

 

[Muddy unicorn]

My boy is much happier with clipped legs - if you’re not planning to show her then it’s a no-brainer

 

[eahotson]

My boy is much happier with clipped legs - if you’re not planning to show her then it’s a no-brainer

Thank you

 

[AdorableAlice]

Take the lot off, mane shortened to a couple of inches and tail thinned with the clippers underneath and up the sides. Horse will be so much cooler and happier. I clip my 2 every 2 weeks all year round. The blade sharpener chappie loves me !

Smart cobs look fantastic.

 

[Pippity]

Mine has got her feather (and everything else!) off, for a number of reasons. It controls her mallenders; it makes it easier for me to fend off CPL; she's more comfortable; I pop down to the local show every now and again and like her turned out properly, and, finally, I just think she looks nicer.

 

[Lucky788]

Take them off or try a thinning rake but that’s a lot more of faff then clipping off especially if she gets hot

 

[racmun]

Take them off. Recently did our pony and she looks great. Gone from having a mane done to her knees which she was sweating under to a mane which is about 3 inches long. Thinned it a lot with a thinning comb so it sits nicely.

She had big hairy feathers and they have come off too. No more banging and itching. Found a few scabs which we can now actually treat. Our pony is much happier and cooler!

 

[I'm Dun]

and after youve thinned it take off about a foot of tail so its at a "normal" horse length

 

[Nasicus]

I clip the feather off for mallenders and CPL management.
I don't show, so I leave the mane alone and just take a couple inches off the tail and a chunk from the base of the dock to thin it out a bit.
Mane gets loosely plaited to keep her cool.

Certainly not 'proper', but sod that, I like being able to play princess ponies with the mane and tail

 

[Fransurrey]

I leave them in the summer, but shorten them considerably for winter (using scissors and comb to create a 'Welsh cob' feather effect). I use the mane and tail brush to keep them tangle free, back combing to remove loose hair and applying cowboy serum if I'm feeling posh. I do thin his mane and tail, though and plait both in hot/inclement weather, shortening the tail.

ETA: I don't have trouble with mites/mallenders, though. Would probably clip the lot if I did!