Hairy horse - leave, pull or hog?!

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TheHairyOne

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Hoping for some opinions on my hairy (and getting hairier) boy. I am suffering a dilema!

When he arrived the hair was all coming off, my sister said no, and we didn't have any clippers anyway, so hairy he stayed. It's just been growing since. :) However, since clipping all Saxon's off I am wondering whether my lad should also have a makeover!

He's a part bred Gypsy Vanner, lots of people say 'he must have some welsh in him', but he could be anything.

So here is he at with his least hairy mane having been tidied for (bad!) stressage. He has half a double mane (the middle) if this changes anything. But his hairyish winter feet are in full display.

188954_10150167109182254_564186_n.jpg


He now looks like this and as you can see half his feathers fall out in the summer, he's still got a bit to go atm, but he's got a huge mane now!

562285_10150939051942254_1704567201_n.jpg


So...leave, pull or hog?! I will say the last one is not very likely to happen.

I've got used to him hairy now, not sure what to do - HELP!
 
TheHairyOne said:
Hoping for some opinions on my hairy (and getting hairier) boy. I am suffering a dilema!

When he arrived the hair was all coming off, my sister said no, and we didn't have any clippers anyway, so hairy he stayed. It's just been growing since. :) However, since clipping all Saxon's off I am wondering whether my lad should also have a makeover!

He's a part bred Gypsy Vanner, lots of people say 'he must have some welsh in him', but he could be anything.

So here is he at with his least hairy mane having been tidied for (bad!) stressage. He has half a double mane (the middle) if this changes anything. But his hairyish winter feet are in full display.

188954_10150167109182254_564186_n.jpg


He now looks like this and as you can see half his feathers fall out in the summer, he's still got a bit to go atm, but he's got a huge mane now!

562285_10150939051942254_1704567201_n.jpg


So...leave, pull or hog?! I will say the last one is not very likely to happen.

I've got used to him hairy now, not sure what to do - HELP!
Click to expand...

Leave!! He is stunning just the way he is! :)
 
If you want to compete, pulled. If not then clip the legs but leave the mane and tail. That is a gorgeous mane! I only like feathers if they're "proper" feathers, IYKWIM.
 
Pulll and thin that mae out get the tail pulled and clip off those feathers!!!

He looks like hed suit a pulled look but not a hogged one :) He does look like he has some welsh in him somewhere, if you pull and trim you can turn out for PB welsh :)
 
I like hogs! but would say he is not one to be hogged. Pull mane and take the feathers off, looks a smart sort :-)
 
I tend to running plait him for our playing about at the bottom of the competition world of which it seems I have no pics at all on the mane side! Our heady heights are prelim and a max of 2'6, but we have a good time. :D

This is him tidy atm.

429990_10150694371357254_306535513_n.jpg
 
Now I am a big feather lover, however only on the right horses if that makes sense? Like traditional cobs or welsh types where the feathers suit.
I think your boy would look smarter without them to be honest, especially for showing classes.
I would also be inclined to pull his mane ( or use solo comb as I am now a convert) as he would look that much smarter with it shorter and more tamed. Also if you decide to plait then it makes it easier too. I also recommend thinning his mane too whilst you pull if you find that pulling does not make it less bulky.
As for his tail it would look nice either pulled or plaited if you decide to compete and go with the pulled mane and feathers off look.
I also recommend the smart tail thinners too, again a convert to them. I have used it on all of my horses ( except my youngster). I tidied up my cob's tail who is a gypsy vanner with one as he had a few stray hairs, and used it give my other two the pulled look. Also used the thinner to make my cob's mane less bulky too. Didn't pull it as he is left natural but it gets thick and he gets warm in summer.
Good luck, nice looking lad btw :)
 
I'd pull the mane, whip off the feathers, take a few inches off the bottom of the tail but learn to plait it well for parties.
 
I'm not a hairy fan either. I like a horse with a well pulled mane, and short, banged tail, and feathers off.

Imagine how smart he'd looked trimmed?
 
horsemadelsie said:
This!
Although if it was me I might get rid of the feather in the winter, only because I could never deal with muddy feather, it would drive me mad!
I think his mane is just perfect :)
Click to expand...

I have a pure clydesdale, he winters out. I wash and dry legs and apply pig oil once a week and his feathers stayed clean, his skin protected from the mud (it just brushes off when dry) and no feather rot / mites etc (add flower of sulphur to whiten too!)

Where there's a will there's a way!

:D
 
He could go either way. If you keep that mane and it gets longer and wispy on the ends it will look amazing - I love a double mane.

But - if you pull (which he would also really suit) then I would say to whip those feathers off.

If he were mine I would keep him hairy and just plait up when necessary...
 
if you want to improve your turnout you need longer boots and a smaller dressage square. When you next clip him, take half his head off, to tidy up his jaw line. use a thinning rake on the top of his tail to give it more definition, rather than pulling it hard. if you can plait his mane well, leave it. I'd probably take off the feathers personally.
 
Only after seeing saxon transformation i'd say take off the feather! but defo leave the mane and just tidy......i would be leaving mine if i could :eek: but Grace has hacked it off...well suppose he's not exactly native is he lol :D
 
Thanks for looking all!

Seems a bit split in opinion - much like I am. :)

He lives out all winter and he's alright with all his feathers - he's not actually that much of a mucky boy and a quick comb breaks up the solid bits. Our mud doesn't stain so he washes up fine for going out to parties. Never had a mite issue or mud fever *touch wood* (if it ain't broke don't fix it?).

So I might see if I can get one of these combs to thin a little. I have to say one reason why I've not touched him is that he's got SO much hair I don't want to imagine how long it will take to pull him but these solo combs sound like they might work.

I know he'll look daft, but maybe I'll take feathers and leave mane and tail alone for a bit...feathers will grow back a lot quicker if I don't like it. :)

And thanks for the turn out tips! New stressage boots already purchased and he does now have a pad that fits him. Numnah's are one thing I can't share with my sisters 17.2hh beast! :D

ARGH! I hate making decisions - I am just as bad when it comes to getting my own hair cut. :)
 
I would clip feathers and pull mane but leave tail alone maybe just whip a couple of inches off it! He looks a sweet type though.
 
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