Feathered legs

[zoregano]

Pros and cons for taking off feathers? I have acquired a very hairy pony who looks very proud with his feathered legs but I have no idea what is going on underneath and I have to get him ready for a farrier trim. He is not keen having his legs picked up at the moment (but he was not handled much previously so this will take time). My head says take them off but my heart cannot face mutilating him!

 

[Leo Walker]

I clip mine. It stops them getting mites, its stops them getting cuts and things that you cant see, and it means anything that does happen is easy to treat. The only cons are that it needs doing once a month to stay on top of it really.

 

[SEL]

If I could persuade my draft to tolerate clippers (and believe me I've tried) I'd have them off. He's 16 next week and has badly thickened skin under them from chewing and scratching. The summer we sedated and clipped him was the most comfortable he's ever been. If they've got mites then you can really get in with all the potions and lotions once the hair is off.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

If he's not itching with mites then leave them on as good protection all year round.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I have two cobs, both have feathers.

Both are clipped; one horse gets very itchy and stampy and on vet's advise we sedated her and clipped off all the feathers to see what was underneath.

The other pony (traddie cob) is given just a light trim to take off the very heavy feathers.