Fluffing out feathers

cobsarefab

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Hi all, so me and cobbus are going to a clinic on Saturday and she had to look pristine. Now I can get her feathers paper white using a little trick I learnt at an old RS. But how do I get them to look really fluffy. I'm guessing using a hairdryer would be very wrong :) can anyone recommend a way? Also, I've been told to backcomb the chalk dust through her feathers but surely that can't be right. Really appreciate any tips from other hairy owners.
 
Why would a hairdryer be wrong? Just don't use a too hot setting!
In heavies woodflour is the preference however in heavies they also prize silky feather over course so I don't know how fluffy it gets it.
 
I wouldn't bother trying to 'fluff' anything. Just wash them, dry them and then run chalk through them if they're still not white. Feather on horses should flow when they move, so should be silky in texture. If you do too much 'fluffing' or backcombing you risk splitting the hairs (just like us) and then the feather will look tatty.

I've used a hairdryer before but as abbijay has said, just be careful the heat setting isn't too hot.
 
First of all, don't stress about it. You said clinic not show so I'm guessing turnout isn't the biggest deal, though obviously you always want to do your horse justice and have them looking good. But don't fret too much over it. You've come a really long way with your horse and the fact that you're going to a clinic at all considering how she was when you got her is pretty darn awesome.

Re. feathers, nothing looks smarter, IMO, than a nice clean traditional cob, with all that lovely flowing hair! I would personally invest in a shampoo especially for grey/white horses and use mane and tail conditioner on feathers as well, to get them silky and soft. That should also stop them getting tangled so ought to preserve that just-washed 'fluffy' look.
 
First of all, don't stress about it. You said clinic not show so I'm guessing turnout isn't the biggest deal, though obviously you always want to do your horse justice and have them looking good. But don't fret too much over it. You've come a really long way with your horse and the fact that you're going to a clinic at all considering how she was when you got her is pretty darn awesome.

Re. feathers, nothing looks smarter, IMO, than a nice clean traditional cob, with all that lovely flowing hair! I would personally invest in a shampoo especially for grey/white horses and use mane and tail conditioner on feathers as well, to get them silky and soft. That should also stop them getting tangled so ought to preserve that just-washed 'fluffy' look.

This! A nice bottle of the purple cowboy magic shampoo. Wash her legs and tail etc and put loads of chalk through while its still wet. The next morning, brush out the chalk and the feathers will be white and pouffy! Hows the mane and forelock looking? If its still a bit short then get someone to tidy it up for you.

Then go and enjoy yourself. How exciting to be taking your very own pony out for your first trip! :biggrin3:
 
This! A nice bottle of the purple cowboy magic shampoo. Wash her legs and tail etc and put loads of chalk through while its still wet. The next morning, brush out the chalk and the feathers will be white and pouffy! Hows the mane and forelock looking? If its still a bit short then get someone to tidy it up for you.

Then go and enjoy yourself. How exciting to be taking your very own pony out for your first trip! :biggrin3:

The mane and forelock have grown somewhat :) I use a bottle of cowboy magic with a bottle of blue was hung up liquid diluted in 3 litres of water for paper white feathers so I'll try the chalk dust and pouf them up with a cool hairdryer on the morning.
 
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