Does this mean it’s time to take his feathers off?

[Gf5871]

Checked my ponies at 7am & lunchtime yesterday... went down at 4.30pm and my cob was crippled, walking on 3 legs. On a white leg, no obvious signs of injury or blood, fetlock 3/4 times the size of normal, swelling up to hock. I tried to look at his leg but he kicked out at me repeatedly and being 8 months pregnant not nimble enough to get out of the way so I phoned the vet.
No reaction to hoof tests, no injury, slight temp of 38.6, obviously in pain. Only thing he could see was right on the back of the pastern was slightly weeping so he’s put it down to an infection of the pastern and cellulitis in the leg. All other legs clear, infact told me they’re the best looking feathered legs he’d seen this winter so far. Big dose of antibiotics & pain relief, and he cleaned it for me.
Annoyingly it’s not overly muddy here, and I’ve been pig oiling his legs weekly-10 days but it’s getting very difficult now with a sizeable bump getting in the way. He’s not particularly heavy feathered, but I’m wondering whether for easyness I should just take his feathers off for this winter (actually makes me feel abit sick saying that ) but if needs be then I would do it... WWYD?

 

[Merlod]

How long have you been using the pig oil - could it be a reaction?

 

[Gf5871]

How long have you been using the pig oil - could it be a reaction?

Been using the pig oil since the beginning of September & I patch tested him twice first. It’s just pig oil no sulphur.

 

[DD]

I'd leave for the time being, wait for the meds to work then see what happens. Also I would ask your vet what to do about the feathers if the condition re-occurs and go by their guidance. Congrats on the bump BTW.

 

[Shay]

It sounds like the heavy feathering plus your slightly limited condition just now conspired so you missed an early sign of problems. If you usually keep him fully feathered and have managed before then it won't be that much longer until you can bend over again. (I managed to overbalance and fall head first into a saucepan drawer when I was 8 months pregnant - I forgot I was pregnant for some reason!) If someone can help you just for the next 4 - 6 weeks making sure his feathers are well oiled and checking him meticulously for any early signs then I would be tempted to try to ride it out. (No pun intended). But if you have taken his feathers off before in winter then it might make your life a bit easier for the next few months.

 

[OldieButGoodie]

I don't have a horse with massive feathers but I prefer to clip what he has off (using a coarse blade) or just fetlock scissors so I can spot any issues (cuts, mud rash etc) quickly. Found it a bit of a challenge in previous winters with his legs covered in hair / mud. I do hose mud off but dry with a towel afterwards and apply muddy buddy powder in the morning before he goes out. Seems to keep the mud rash at bay.