Getting those white socks white!!!

[nightrider]

Hello all

I am due to take my yearling filly (sec D ) to her first show this weekend and I am uncertain which is the best way to go about getting her socks white (four of them) Is it best to wash them on the morning of the show or the day before?

Also chalking – how do I do this? Do I put the chalk on wet or dry? Sorry to ask what seems like lots of questions, but I am actually getting really nervous as it’s quite a big show (luckily the people that bred her are going to run her – so I won’t have to worry about that bit – for now!)

The other thing that is really bothering me is that they have told me that I need to take her whiskers off ;( I am so unsure of this bit – it’s just not sitting comfortably with me at all! What are other people's thoughts on it?

Sorry about all the questions but this isn’t something I have had to worry about with my other horses!

Many thanks.

 

[boxcarhorse]

I'd buy chalk powder. Put it on dry legs after they've been washed. You don't need a lot. Rub some in and then brush it out... it'll leave the socks very white.

 

[Girlracer]

I washed Majors night before and on the morning, it was gleaming. I then added chalk when we arrived... needless to say it was very white!

 

[only_me]

Well, for showing and "big" comps I would chalk whites, I wash legs with Fairy liquid, then with a whitening shampoo. When the legs are damp, I "paint" the chalk powder on, making sure to not touch any non White bits!
Then I bandage and leave overnight.

The bandages stay on till the show, and once there excess chalk is brushed off, and black hoof paint on hooves to make the White really stand out!

 

[tinkerbell88]

Wash socks the day before and again on the morning of the show if they need it. I use a bit of hibiscrub which really works.

 

[nightrider]

Thanks for the replys

I have two types of chalk the block type and also is it 'champion tails' which is a paste type, neither I have used before - which is better/easier to use? I was going to leave her naked as I think it will stress her too much if I start bandaging and booting her neither of these things I have practised with her (regretting that now!) I have been concentrating on getting her used to being washed!

So whiskers on or off ?

 

[wench]

cheapo chalk block will work

 

[trottingon]

I've tried all sorts of whitening products and pastes etc, but have found the powdery chalk in a tub to be the best, and the easiest and quickest to use with consistent results. You can put it on damp or dry legs. I tend to brush the hair the wrong way, then apply the chalk with my hands, leave it til morning and then give it a quick brush. If your horse marks his white legs during the show you can just give the spot another brush, or if necessary apply a little bit more chalk.
I take my Welshie's whiskers off but I don't think it is necessary. just personal preference.

 

[star]

i like the paste. have got the supreme whitening powder which you can puff on dry or mix with a little water to make a paste. i tend to wash legs, towel dry, paint on paste and bandage. by time got to show and warmed up you can then take bandages off, brush off excess, oil hooves and ready to go. girl at yard swears by white hair spray though (human fancy dress stuff) so i'm gonna give that a go next time i get a chance! be much less messy.

have never trimmed my Welshie's whiskers (or even my hunter's) - i think they were born with whiskers for a reason and plus Welshies are at least meant to be shown vaguely au naturel although i know they're the least natural of all the natives.

 

[MissSBird]

Welsh Cs and Ds, whilst having their tails and manes regularly shortened, shouldn't be shown with any jawline trimming. Definately leave the whiskers on!

For our fell, who has a very crisp white sock, we first wash with fairy liquid. Once dried a bit, paint white with a mix of chalk power and water (or the posh stuff you've got!).

With the connie, who has white-ish socks that blur with his dapple grey colouring. As they arn't crisp we rub a chalk block on his legs whilst their damp, which whitens the white but leaves the darker parts visable.

 

[Bedlam]

Welsh Cs and Ds, whilst having their tails and manes regularly shortened, shouldn't be shown with any jawline trimming. Definately leave the whiskers on!

For our fell, who has a very crisp white sock, we first wash with fairy liquid. Once dried a bit, paint white with a mix of chalk power and water (or the posh stuff you've got!).

With the connie, who has white-ish socks that blur with his dapple grey colouring. As they arn't crisp we rub a chalk block on his legs whilst their damp, which whitens the white but leaves the darker parts visable.

Interesting - when I bred and showed Fells a white sock would have been a big no no. Have the breed standards changed?

 

[bvlgari]

The best way i was shown, was to clip out the sock with trimmers one week prior to show, wash with fairy two nights before, wash again night before and apply supreme white paste, didn't ever bandage over night, then brush off in the morning. This was for dressage though so don#t know anything about showing and if you can clip out the sock etc - but it worked brilliantly

 

[applecart14]

Hello all

I am due to take my yearling filly (sec D ) to her first show this weekend and I am uncertain which is the best way to go about getting her socks white (four of them) Is it best to wash them on the morning of the show or the day before?

Also chalking – how do I do this? Do I put the chalk on wet or dry? Sorry to ask what seems like lots of questions, but I am actually getting really nervous as it’s quite a big show (luckily the people that bred her are going to run her – so I won’t have to worry about that bit – for now!)

The other thing that is really bothering me is that they have told me that I need to take her whiskers off ;( I am so unsure of this bit – it’s just not sitting comfortably with me at all! What are other people's thoughts on it?

Sorry about all the questions but this isn’t something I have had to worry about with my other horses!

Many thanks.

I would wash her legs in hibiscrub. I use it for whitening my horses legs and it works a treat.

 

[trendybraincell]

Interesting - when I bred and showed Fells a white sock would have been a big no no. Have the breed standards changed?

I've never owned/bred or shown a fell (welsh cobs through & through) but I too thought white was a no no for fells?

As for the OP: If you don't feel comfortable taking whiskers off, then leave them, I've seen horse shown (and win) with and without whiskers.

I wash white socks with regular shampoo, then again with whitening shampoo, and then use paste on the morning of the show, but thats my dressage routine. When I used to show I would paste and bandage the night before.

Show day, with white whites

 

[Tnavas]

For Ultra white socks

Mix Curash baby powder with some warm water to a soft paste. Apply to clean socks with a small brush - I use a tooth brush. Work well into the socks and then bandage. When dry or just before your class remove bandages and brush off excess. Put on sun glasses!

 

[ngrace]

Dont take wiskers off because they are their feelers, they use them when inspecting new things, eating, when things are close to their face, and sometimes horses become a bit headshy at first if you do. I think its mean (personal opinion).

Good luck anyways

 

[Tnavas]

Mine live out 24/7 and are only bathed for shows. White socks are washed with washing up liquid, and hot water, I use a soft nail brush and scrub until spotless. Then apply the mix as I posted earlier.

One of my youngsters at a show and mum

 

[nightrider]

Wow thanks so much for all the replys it's very much appreciated

Lovely pictures they really are white aren't they?

I have washed her feet/legs today and am planning on washing them again in the morning and then pasting (im kind of praying i dont mess it up) although i would like to bandage, I have decided not to as she hasn't experienced this before and I didn't want to stress her any more, I think tomorrow is going to be bad enough as it is!

Whiskers have been taken off - I feel horrendous. I will not be doing it again

cheers all x

 

[only_me]

Thats a good idea re:not bandaging

That was my horse's white after just fairy liquid and pasted chalk night before
I take my horse's whiskers off, and I don't feel bad in doing so, they are all trimmed and kept neat (also imo helps prevents my coloured from becoming "common" ) and he dosen't bash into trees/fences in the night

Some people like whiskers on,others don't, its all down to personal preference