Clipping thick feathers of a cob

[welshcobabe]

I have to clip my very heavy feathered horse his feathers off, for a medical reason, he is good with clippers but I have never taken thick feathers off like this and to be honest don't quite know where to start. I have asked for a friend to help I suspect it is going to be a two man job. I have very good clippers but would you cut the long hair off before you start ? Would you start by running the clippers down the leg to start with? I have looked at You tube but they only show horses with a bit of feather not the masses of hair like he has. I shall be very sad to them go but it is what the vet has advised any hints and tips would be very welcome.

 

[SEL]

I take as much off with scissors as I can before the clippers. If they are tetchy with scissors then its worth getting some sedation before you start clipping.

If you are taking them off because of CPL then sedation for the first time is usually safer and quicker all round. Two of mine can have the stuff you tube into their mouths but my old draft horse needed IV sedation and once he was dopey it was pretty quick to get all the hair off.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Some horses really don't like the legs clipped even though they are fine with everywhere else, one of my Arab's is fine to clip but if you try and clip below the knee he really will take offence to it he is better when you don't go against the hair.

I only found this out about him a while ago as his leg hair was so long due to him living out most of the winter I tried to clip it, I ended up just running the clippers down and he just about tolerated it and it looked fine.

I would just run them with the hair not against to start to see how he is and it might be enough for what you need without having to clip them really close.

 

[AmyMay]

Just run the clippers straight down the legs and take the feather straight off.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Just run the clippers straight down the legs and take the feather straight off.

This is what I used to do.

 

[GypsGal1718]

Chopping most of with scissors may make a lighter load for clippers

 

[cauda equina]

I don't think cutting the hair with scissors first will make a difference, will it?
It will be shorter, but no less thick

I do think coarse blades make for an easier job than fine ones

 

[Tiddlypom]

I’m not sure about a horse with CPL, if this horse indeed has CPL, but I first cut off regular long feathers with scissors, then wash the stubble thoroughly to get the grease out, let it dry, then clipping is much easier on the blades and therefore the horse.

I was inadvertently trying to pick out the hind feet of a horse with CPL recently, and goodness the poor horse was sore having her hind legs handled.

 

[Wizpop]

I found ”Oil to horse” clipping oil (you rub it through the hair) worked really well instead of washing. Quite amazing on grease!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Ditto the observation re. CPL. It can really be very painful indeed for them; my old gal had to be vet-sedated.

OP if you are clipping feathers for the first time I really would recommend that you get a professional Clipper to do the job. If you remotely suspect that your horse may not be helpful then you need to get the vet out to sedate (for everyone's safety). What I did with mine was to organise vet AND Clipper to both be there together at the same time. Not always easy to do, and you may have to pay your Clipper for their time if the vet is delayed for whatever reason, but believe me it really does mean the job is a lot lot easier - and safer - for everyone. The other advantage is that the vet can then have a look at what actually is underneath all that feather - it may be that, like my mare, there is something that would benefit from a vet looking at it, such as CPL.

Also a good opportunity to ask your Clipper what blades they are using, as this can make a huge difference.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Why do you need to clip them off? If you are treating mites, clipping appears to make no difference.

 

[welshcobabe]

Hello all many thanks for your comments they are all helpful, I had the vet out yesterday for his first mite injection, he has been stamping and chewing but as luck would have it his skin is pink and fine but he does have thickening of the skin. As you can see from my profile picture I do like his feathers he is half shire and they do suit him. But the vet has said I need to clip them off in order to treat the mites and see what is going on. She has also suggested that once clipped I use steroid cream and then I can always let them grow back. Glenn didn't have mud rash at all this year as this feathers protected him I got a mud bath from them on a regular basis ! He is due his second injection in a fortnights time, I also found out that this injection is also a wormer (didn't know that) She said she would like them to be done before the next visit. I was made to feel by others at the yard that my preference for keeping them should not over ride his well fair which I took on board but I am not swayed by that I am quite strong minded, but hence I came to you lovely people who have a wealth of knowledge on these issues. I should point out that my vet did not insist that it was done just advised.

My big clippers are cordless Heiniger and my small clippers are Wahl Bravura Lithium

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Heavy duty clippers will sail through any feathers as long as blades are sharp I really wouldn't bother cutting with scissors as I said previously run them down the leg it may take enough off for you to get to the skin easier rather than clipping them to the skin and risk upsetting him especially if the skin is already thickened.

 

[Highmileagecob]

My old cob is in full feather, and has shampoo treatment as and when he needs it for mites. I use Selsun 2.5%, ordered on line and often purchased from outside the UK. Scrub thoroughly right down to the skin on day 1, day 5 and day 10 to catch the hatchlings. It works well for my boy and I now only do the washes when he starts to itch. If your cob will stand with a foot in a bucket, mix the shampoo into the water, foot in the bucket, and get the feathers soaked and scrubbed. Leave for ten minutes, then rinse. Mites are surface feeders - once you remove the dandruff and debris, you remove the food source and mites.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

If you've got the vet to establish that it IS feather mites which is the problem; it may be worth asking them if they have a topical mixture which could treat this. Ours does.