Foals!

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DezzyF

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I've just taken on two poorly treated cob foals. One at 10 months one at 7months. They have poo and mud matted into their fur so deep i cannot get it off by brushing with any kind of brush! I don't want to bath them in such poor weather, and i really don't want to leave them as they are at the moment. And i really don't want to start chopping at their fur coats either. Has anyone got any suggestions of how i can get this off? (Just to point out its rock solid i can not even crumble it off)
 
OZ oil winter wash is good stuff, a shedding blade, or leave em be and let it fall out over time when their coats change
You can use a flea comb and baby powder as dry shampoo too
 
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If they are living out then even if you manage to get the hard mats off then they will just get more throughout the winter unless you clip the fur. Once spring comes along and they start to shed their coats the muddy mats will come off easily. If these little ones have been mistreated I'd just leave them for the time being and deal with them in the spring when it won't hurt them and they will be more familiar with being with you. You usually only get this in the first winter with little ones as they still have that soft foal fur, it's easier to take care of them thereafter as the fur is harder from them on.
 
Agree if they are living out,leave well alone as come spring their coats will start coming out in handfuls,just make sure you handle them well and make sure that they have no problems with having their feet done, their coats I think you will find will start coming out if gentle grooming.
 
I really wouldn't clip! It could be very sore and put them off clippers for life. Before we owned her, our little pony had matted poo and wee clipped off her- only 10 years later is she fine to clip with no sedation. Spraying on something like cowboy magic could work.
 
I've just had this problem with a little coblet i brought, as awful as it may sound, you may have to result to good old soap and water, my little cob was matted to the skin, so had not alternative to scrub and wash, took me an hour and a half, rugged him after very well for a couple of hours then rug again with clean dry rugs, he looks and feels so much better x
 
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They live in and have done for 2 months! They are not underweight or anything like that they were just in a bad home. I think i will leave them for a while see what comes off itself if no better a bath will come in the new year
 
I know people are saying it will sort itself out in the spring however you won't be able to tell whats going on in the skin and risk skin damage being missed. Personally I would liberally use a mane and tail conditioner type spray and leave in for a good hour or so.
Then bathe in hot soapy water soaking all the muck out - do it in a stable so you're out the wind and make sure you have a cooler to put on afterward. You can thatch under the rug using clean straw as well to keep them warm while they dry.

Once clean and matt free a groom once a week will let you check them over and keep them clean
 
Baby oil rubbed in will go under all the muck and lift it so it slides off easily, just give it a wee while to work. They will enjoy your rubbing it in, it won't hurt them and is cheap and easy, though it is darned messy so get some babywipes too. Dont let your boyfriend see all the baby stuff tho or he may get the wrong idea!:D
 
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