Feather Boots. And anything else for long haired types!

[holeymoley]

I've had my youngster for nearly a year but I'm still fairly 'new' to owning a long haired chap with feather. I've plaited his mane in loose plaits to keep them out the way which was fine until he rubbed and somehow broke the entire plait out of his mane resulting in a small tuft in the middle . I've since then left au natural. He seemed to get a bit of bog burn on his feather, which is not surprising as we are in quite a wet area. I have seen waterproof turnout boots for horses with feather that are intended to keep their feather dry in the field. Does any one use these? Any tips or tricks at all for the hairy types?! I have sprayed Pig Oil on his legs to try and keep mud off. My other one's clipped and trimmed which seems a bit simpler!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Clip and trim is what I prefer or none to begin with

 

[Gloi]

It is he claggy mud that breaks feather off rather than wet. I quite liked 7day mud away.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Bog burn? Or could be mites. This year has been bad for them due to the high humidity. My old boy gets his legs scrubbed with Selsun 2.5% to lift scabs and kill off any mites. Repeat on day 5 and day 10 to clear ant hatching eggs. A cob in full feather can be hosed off, and the skin underneath will stay dry. It's difficult to find a waterproof cover which won't cause uncomfortable overheating. My lad gets his tail plaited polo pony style in winter too, to keep mud at bay.

 

[Kaylum]

Never leave in plaits in manes and tails seen a few post where the horse has ripped its tail off as it got caught and couldn't get free. A very sad ending was involved.

 

[holeymoley]

It is he claggy mud that breaks feather off rather than wet. I quite liked 7day mud away.

Thanks I’ll have a look at this.

 

[holeymoley]

Bog burn? Or could be mites. This year has been bad for them due to the high humidity. My old boy gets his legs scrubbed with Selsun 2.5% to lift scabs and kill off any mites. Repeat on day 5 and day 10 to clear ant hatching eggs. A cob in full feather can be hosed off, and the skin underneath will stay dry. It's difficult to find a waterproof cover which won't cause uncomfortable overheating. My lad gets his tail plaited polo pony style in winter too, to keep mud at bay.

It’s not mites I don’t think. He’s never itchy or stamping. Will the constant hosing off not harm the hair? That was my concern with the turnout socks, that they over heat.

 

[tda]

I wouldn't use turnout socks on a horse with feather.
If he can go in onto a straw bed overnight, or even just a few hours the mud will dry and break off. I have used pig oil but if you're out 24/7 you really need dry legs to reapply and that's not gonna happen

 

[holeymoley]

Just to say, the turnout socks/boots aren’t like the normal close fitting turnout boots/chaps. These are specifically for feather types, I’m not sure I can post a link here but they are on Trophy Tails website.

 

[holeymoley]

It does sound like oiling is the way forward. Mine do come in so they can dry off.

 

[canteron]

Oil the mane and feathers, to keep mud off, stop breakages and keep in good condition, that way they will also look good if you want to show!

I use oils from Moores Gypsy Cobs -but other options available.

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[Miss_Millie]

I wouldn't put anything over feather, because if even a small amount of damp gets underneath the covers could rub. Mud is very abrasive and will make the rubbing of the socks worse if mud gets in. I find that feathers are actually a good barrier against the skin and haven't had many issues with mud fever leaving the feathers long, but if clipped it becomes a big issue. The best option in general is to just avoid mud, but easier said than done in this country. I would then just brush off once it dries out.

 

[Highmileagecob]

The thick feather is waterproof at skin level. I wash my lad's legs at intervals for mites, and it's like scrubbing a carpet. Takes effort to actually get the skin wet - which is what feather is supposed to do, I guess. He has daytime turnout in winter, and is rinsed off with cold water and a dandy brush. Then goes on to thick shavings.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I prefer the mud powder keratex or Lincoln have worked for the Arab's but they don't have much feather

 

[Jambarissa]

Melt a jar of coconut oil and mix it into a 5l pig oil, it makes it a bit more conditioning and stays liquid at this concentration.

I also make up thick creams with a mix of pig oil and coconut oil or shea butter to apply by hand. The ratio depends on the temperature you'll be applying it. A 1:1 mix is a decent starting place.

Flowers of sulphur powder is anti bacterial and waterproofing, I think it's the main ingredient in the mud away powder. The Battles one is high purity, you just brush it in.

 

[Fransurrey]

I've tried a few things for my boy, but the best by far and the one I always stock up on is Cowboy Magic Detangler and Shine serum. Everything else seemed to attract dirt or discolour feather or both. It seems expensive, but including the long mane and tail, I go through one large bottle a year, applying once or twice a week. I do check skin deep regularly on the feather, but as said above, they're pretty water tight, despite him being out 24/7. To make things easier in winter I do trim off the bits of feather between the fetlock and heel bulbs (his grows right down to the central sulcus). His mane and tail I normally thin out a bit in summer, but haven't got round to it, this year! I will do it before winter, though, as it makes it easier for regular grooming.