Help clipping trad gypsy cob

[Coblette]

Hi, sorry I know this has probably been asked lots of times.... I’m currently full loaning my friends traditional coloured gypsy cob who is overweight and getting very sweaty when worked. Had a chat to my friend who is happy for me to clip & take feathers off. I have clippers but I am used to a TB not a hairy! I plan on doing an Irish clip and I want to remove the feathers, do I need clippers and trimmers? Do I just trim off the feathers or use the clippers and do all the legs?! Also her mane is looking a bit scraggly... do I pull it or leave (not sure owner would be happy with hogging)? Any advice or pics of your hairies welcomed. Thanks

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

My neighbour shows trads, she clips off as much as necessary off body. Doesn't touch legs at all except on one who has occasionally mites. The hairy legs dry well overnight if in.
I've had a couple and havent touched legs on one.
Ref mane, dont touch it unless owner agrees.
Usually if taking legs off you would hog but then it wouldn't be a trad but a hogged cob

 

[meleeka]

I don’t clip feathers either just the body. I think feathers offer good protection to the legs so would only take them off if I was hogging as well. If your blades struggle with the thick hair, try going with the coat first to shorten it then the correct way.

 

[Coblette]

Thanks I’m not going to show her just want her to be comfortable and less sweaty. The feathers just always look dirty ??‍ But appreciate they do provide protection!

 

[Widgeon]

Could you try using pig oil on the feathers to stop the mud sticking? I've got to admit I've never tried this myself as I've never had anything with enough feather to warrant it, but it seems to be a commonly suggested solution on here. Maybe some other posters can advise? I would be *really* wary of clipping all the feathers off a traditional cob. You can't put them back on!! And getting a really neat finish on hairy legs is hard.

 

[SEL]

If you are clipping feathers (& some a prettier than others) then removing as much as possible with sharp scissors before you get the clippers out is helpful. Go gently because all that hair can hide scabs and sore patches.

Washing the legs and letting them dry overnight might also be appreciated by your clippers.

 

[utter-nutter]

if i could work how to attach a photo i would show you mine, i 'run' the clippers up the back of the legs to take off the long cat like hairs that seem to go to his elbows!..then clip close to his leg/back of feet, with the aim of leaving about an 1/2 inch of hair on all the way round. He lives out and just gets properly cleaned up before hunting, i find he dries a lot, lot quicker with the shorter hair. In an ideal world i would completey clip his legs out, but feel would be a bit mean with him living out.

 

[utter-nutter]

i then pull his mane and try and keep it shortish so i can plait it, but agree with getting horse owners permission before doing anything! was quite a shock when we took off all this guys hair!

 

[Coblette]

i then pull his mane and try and keep it shortish so i can plait it, but agree with getting horse owners permission before doing anything! was quite a shock when we took off all this guys hair!

That's perfect thank you, exactly what I was trying to find, trimmed up but not clipped off feathers!! Yes of course will check with my friend before any hair is removed!!

 

[Smellycob]

Seeing as my cobs usual coat blunts blades in an instant I would hack off as much feather as possible with scissors and then go for it!

 

[Cob Life]

if i could work how to attach a photo i would show you mine, i 'run' the clippers up the back of the legs to take off the long cat like hairs that seem to go to his elbows!..then clip close to his leg/back of feet, with the aim of leaving about an 1/2 inch of hair on all the way round. He lives out and just gets properly cleaned up before hunting, i find he dries a lot, lot quicker with the shorter hair. In an ideal world i would completey clip his legs out, but feel would be a bit mean with him living out.

This is what I plan to do, just take off the long bits and leave a little protection