Feathers - cob novice seeks knowlegeable advice

[planete]

Love the crunchy. Until I read the post I was wondering if it was some kind of exotic growth!

 

[SEL]

Oh that's interesting...just the oil in it dp you think, or some kind of intolerance?

I've had two now who got itchy legs on micronised linseed. I felt very bad about M because I had him on it for years thinking it was doing good and only really took him off it when it because obvious the microcob was having a scabby flare up when I introduced it. His scabby legs got better quite quickly off it.

I'm not entirely sure why linseed is marketed as being good for skin. Sometimes I think one person says something and then everyone thinks the same!!

The microcob is part bred Dales (looks all Dales but on general passport) with ridiculously thick and fast hair growth. I had her feather off for a lameness work up Jan 2022 and all her scabby bits cleared up quickly and she wasn't destroying my fences itching on them. Last winter she was in full feather and got very cross and itchy. I'm not sure whether there's some form of dermatitis that reacts to water because she was worse when it was wet and muddy and yet if I poked my fingers into the feather it wasn't particularly wet inside. But then it could also be sweat and not being able to dry I suppose.

I think you'll have to see how you get on this winter and if you find yourself with a cross, scabby cob then prepare for clipping and blunt blades ;-)

 

[SDMabel]

I've got a hairy traditional that is mainly shown so feathers are a must as shes only 14.2hh and cannot be shown hogged n clipped out .

I think it's just really important to famailirise yourself with their legs (as weird as that sounds). Have a good feel under the feathers daily, mine suffers with mallanders behind the knees so when she gets a bit of a flare up i treat with cetrabn cream.

I found more problems when i clipped her all out, she has pink skin and struggled so much with mud fever . Now in winter i keep them pig oiled, and just brush the mud out. Wouldn't wash them every time you bring in as they take so long to dry.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

Use liberal amounts of pig oil and sulphur once a week during winter, don’t wash or rinse feathers just crunch dry mud off with fingers. If being shod let farrier know and don’t oil that week as hot shoeing can cause fire. Dont oil in summer if hot and sunny as it can burn skin.

 

[Wizpop]

If it was me, I’d be having a good feel around right under the feathers and on the legs. checking for CPL which will feel like ridges/ rolls in the skin and or sores. I’d be really vigilant having just bought a cob and after years of owning horses, been catapulted into the world of CPL. It can be horrendous but can also be managed if caught early. I’m not wanting to scare monger, but it was a huge eye opener for me.
Have a look on Facebook at the Chronic progressive Lymphedema page. It is a well informed website with lots of knowledge which helps so many people manage their horses. Good luck with your lovely horse.