Cob owners

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Trekker

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I clipped my cobs neck off as he was getting too hot on rides.. I last clipped him at the end of January.. Problem is his mane is falling out and he has a big bald patch !!!!! After doing some investigations I've been told it's either his neck cover rubbing ( he's currently in combo rugs.. Weatherbeeta or shires).. Or he's getting overheated.. Or it's lack of oxygen getting to the hair follicles in the mane. Unfortunately I don't think there's anything I can do about it now.. He's currently in a 100g combo as it can still get cold and we're still having heavy showers 😔. How do these lovely gypsy vanner cobs go on in the winter with their long beautifull manes. My boy is 17yrs old and is out 24/7. I'm honestly thinking of buying rugs without a neck for next winter ?? But don't want him to feel cold in the elements. Maybe I shouldn't clip him next winter ??Sorry for the long post.. I just don't know what to do for the best. Hope someone can help x
 
I don't use rugs with a neck unless it's minus 10 and blowing in sideways for that very reason. Plus, he doesn't need them - always warm as toast under all that mane! I'd go neckless, blather mane in pig oil or conditioner and the mud slides out. My lad's mane looks great for February.

Secretly, I'd like to hog him but the rest of the yard howl when I suggest it and he's a beggar to clip anyway so it's stayed on ;)

ETA to add that I only clipped his gullet this year but would still go neckless even with a blanket clip
 
I don't use rugs with necks for my gypsy cob. I do have one detachable neck cover for very poor weather, but he probably wears that about twice a year. Even the fly rug has a detachable rather than fixed neck cover so I only use it when absolutely necessary. With the amount of mane he has he really is more comfortable without one, even when he is clipped. I also find he suffers far more with the heat than cold and is happier un-rugged even in heavy showers unless he is fully clipped or it is very cold and windy. In the summer I often have to plait his mane (or put it in "bunches" if I don't want it going wavy) to keep him comfortable in the field. I would suspect your horse is getting too warm. Is he showing any other signs he might be getting too warm, for instance itching a lot or getting grumpy when you put his rug on?
 
I have never used a rug with a neck on a gypsy cob, they would be far too hot. I keep rug use to a minimum.
 
I've only put a rug on him because I've clipped his neck (trace clip). He was in a 300g combo when it was REALLY cold, 200g combo when it was above freezing cold.. And he is presently in a 100g combo. I don't like the thought of him being cold in the wind and rain. He's out 24hrs. Do you all clip your cobs in winter and which rugs do you use?
 
Have you actually checked to see how warm/cold he is in the wet and windy weather? Feel behind his elbow, really getting your hand onto the skin. If he is warm there he is plenty warm enough. Most cobs are warm creatures, mine certainly is, and the volume of their manes and tails helps towards that. If he is trace clipped his neck still has plenty of hair to keep him warm and dry. Horses are actually adapted to live out in all weathers, as long as there is shelter available. It does sound as if yours is over-heating.
 
depends on the rug - I've found if it fits well without any seams along the neck then it doesn't rub my cobs mane out at all - I tend to use weatherbeetas on her as they fit really well
 
Sounds like going neck less is the way forward 😄. Thanks ladies xx which gram weight rugs do you recommend for now.. And for next winter.. I'm sure I can pick up some bargains soon as retailers are sure to have sales on soon .
 
depends entirely upon the horse and your location - my girl is in her heavyweight (360g) at the moment (she's fully clipped) whereas previous years she'd have had a light/medium weight underrug as well but this winter I'm 180miles further south
 
We plait our belgian draft who has mane enormously thick to over his shoulder.
We redo the plaits once a week and only have minimal mane come out ever.
You could try mane bags. work a treat aswell.
 
My cob was full clipped this winter and live out in a heavy weight standard neck rug, he had a neck cover on a few times over night if it was very wet/snowing, otherwise he was plenty warm enough without and more comfortable as well I think!
 
How will I know he"s warm enough? I've tried feeling behind his ears.. But I can't tell 😔. Its difficult if it's chucking it down with rain or if my hands are frozen cus of the cold.I used to put my arm down his neck cover to see if he was nice and warm.
 
No neck covers EVER! and they are always warmer than you would expect! Mine was fully clipped and wearing a no fill turnout in December! The yard staff checked him repeatedly as they didnt believe he was warm enough and used to text me in amazement that he was toasty warm! :lol: Hes currently out 24/7 in a 100gm no neck rug. I tried a 200gm rug and he was too hot and ripped it to shreds! He was also out naked for a bit a few weeks ago as the clip grew back in a bit and he ripped off his no fill rug! I clipped him out again and he seems ok in the 100gm. He hasnt ripped it off anyway :lol:
 
G is clipped out and currently in a heavyweight with no neck, on wet days she'll have her snuggy hood but only if it's really needed. I avoid using neck covers as much as possible and this helps to save her mane. :)
 
I don't rug at all, even in a bib clip my lad would be too warm in a rug, I can lose my hand in his winter coat, I pig oil his mane, feathers and tail, putting his mane in a running plait as he's prone to wind tangles, to apply pig oil, I cover my hands and run my hands through the hair I want covered, I do show my lad so his hairy bits are important, I check every night while haying them, a hand behind the elbow, if it's warm, they are warm and I sleep well, if the weather turns wet and windy, I have been known to check them after midnight, never had a problem, they have shelter in the field but rarely use it
 
Trekker said:
How will I know he"s warm enough? I've tried feeling behind his ears.. But I can't tell ��. Its difficult if it's chucking it down with rain or if my hands are frozen cus of the cold.I used to put my arm down his neck cover to see if he was nice and warm.
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I use a mix of base of ears and udders / inside hind legs - if they're warm enough these spots are warm, if they're cold then these spots are cold
 
2 of our cobs have been ruggless all winter. The third was last clipped end of November, he's been in a no fill since then and has been plenty warm enough. He went rugless yesterday and is fine.
 
Large bib clip, no rug all winter (mean, aren't I? :D) and he's not been cold yet. Annoying really as he's far too fat and I was hoping to slim him down a bit, but it's been too mild.

Always very warm under his mane, sweats on hot days if he's in too. Generally a hot pony, as is my little tb, who has also been bib clipped (not as much off) and out naked all winter.

You'd be surprised at just how warm they can keep themselves, providing they're healthy (other old horse is a poor doer and is rugged in 200gm no neck at present) and have plenty of forage.

I have several neck covers, I rarely use them as I got fed up with mane loss and they don't actually need them that often anyway.
 
If you don't want to get rid of the mane then I would suggest doing a blanket clip; take less off his next so it's really the underside that's exposed and then take off more off belly and haunches and put a rug without a neck on. If it's a bit too wet, then maybe have a removable neck cover you can take off when it gets worse. You'd be amazed at how less sweaty he is on his neck if he has more off elsewhere. It's what I've seen a few people do with their cobs and spanish horses with manes.
 
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