How to manage feathers

[molly1873]

When I bought my heavy weight coloured mare last yr she was completely clipped out, hogged, and no feathers.
Over the winter she was turned away due to my health, no rugs etc and is looking great for being out 24/7.
However she now has lots of feather and this something I'm not used to!! I have no idea how to look after them!. I have owned a cob before however she was clipped out and was fantastic to clip. Her mane no longer looks a toilet brush and I will let that grow however it will be kept pulled.

Anyone got advice /opinions on feathers?
They are nicotine stained at the mo and she is field kept so I don't have facility's now to clip or wash however she is not good to clip anyway which I found out last yr!
I just want her to be healthy and someone suggested that feathers encourage mites however as a happy hacker I do like a neat and tidy horse as well.

 

[Amymou91]

Give them a good time to dry out, douse in mane and tail (lol) and get a basic hair brush or wide comb and brush your life away!! The best thing for feathers is to keep them brushed and clean. Oh and check regularly for mites! I knew a lady with a cob with beautiful feathers who got mites and the whole lot had to come off!! She was devastated x

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Ditto checking for feather mites, which is why I keep my boy's clipped out so I can see what's going on.

Someone will probably advise Pig Oil and Sulphur on here!!! So before that happens, just a warning, to be very careful of this stuff as it can be very caustic particularly with pink legs and white hair. It might work and be perfectly fine on some horses, but mine came up very pink and hot and then I did research elsewhere on line and found that this is a common reaction to the mixture.

So not criticising anyone's management; but merely sounding a warning bell.........

 

[molly1873]

Thanks all! Feathers are not what I'm used to however they are growing on me! I'm sure when I get them clean they will look better after all she did winter out and they are obviously there for a reason.
I too have been advised against pig oil/sulpher . someone also suggested cornflour mixed to a paste then dried and brushed out so might give that a go.