I can't believe I'm posting this

H

Hovis_and_SidsMum

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But I am contemplating clipping Hovis' feathers off for winter...
I don't know what to do!
When I bought him I had him fully clipped out and he looked like a tiny baby. Hubby went nuts at me for clipping off his feathers then but now 3 years later hubby wants to clip him out and I like him feathery. Total role reversal!!
My farrier, Evil Army Man, YO et al all agree with hubby that he should be clipped out for winter. YO has turned into a Hovis fan (despite being a dressage rider with a background of eventing mad dumb bloods) and says he'd look lovely clipped out as a heavy hunter type. she also thinks he could low level HT /ODE (and yes she has ridden him!!)

Pros
He has got a scabby patch at the back of one knee which I've had to trim the feather from around anyway
His feathers are being dyed orange by the soil at our new yard when it rains
It would be safer if I allow hubby to take him blood hounding this year.

Cons
I love him feathered as its part of who he is
I worry he'll look out of proportion with trimmed legs - i.e. look fat rather than balanced
Will it make his feathers grow back tufty and horrible in the spring?
Plus if i clip his feathers do I clip his wings?!!

GOD!! I don't know what to do!!

HELP
 
I think you need to post a picture so we can make an informed decision (those of us who don't know what he looks like despite reading about his antics ever week!! :eek:) :D
 
Title of your post made my heart stop!!! I thought it was gonna be one of those really really awful ones! I need ressucitation!
 
Queenbee87 said:
I think you need to post a picture so we can make an informed decision (those of us who don't know what he looks like despite reading about his antics ever week!! :eek:) :D
Click to expand...

Exactly! And one of him without them if you have it. Please. I think off without even looking because I hate feathers but I'm willing to be open minded!
 
Very young clipped Hovis
Younghovis.jpg


Older unclipped feathery Hovis
2009_10181moo0001.jpg


Not the best piccies but all I have on my work laptop (I'm in scotland at work!!)
 
Wot a lovely boy !!

If he is stabled with turnout over winter I wud probably give him a hunter clip, he would look smart all winter and his legs would be easier to keep clean
 
Definitely off, but he is so handsome either way.

I had a h/w cob who would grow feathers just like Hovis' and I used to clip them off and he always seemed prouder with naked legs, silly I know! They would grow back pretty quickly once I stopped clipping and and it wouldn't take long for them to be back to their hairy best. Like Hovis he always seemed to have a little mitey/sore bit on at least one leg and with the feathers on it was always very hard to treat properly.
 
Off (as I loved fully trimmed, clipped, hogged sturdy types)

Also, if you need to do, washing and drying legs is so much easier in the winter when you're not dealing with feathers et al. You'll also be able to spot any cuts/problems quicker if he going hunting. I used to work with a number of horses who were out 24/7 and were fully clipped out including legs and they had very little problems. It's all about management.

He's a stunning chap *yoinks*
 
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Leave them on for the winter and take off for the summer - well that's what my farrier has advised me to do to avoid mud fever. So I am now leaving my horses feathers to grow back after their last clip in the summer.
 
Depends on how he lives during the winter - Is he a stabled boy? or out 24/7??

opinions on look dont matter too much - thats down to your own taste.

If he is stabled half the time or more - i would say TRIM OFF - looks neat and tidy, and he will fly even faster without the weight.


Cant wait to hear what he thinks in the diary!!!
 
I think he's good looking enough to be able to carry off either.... I like his feathers but can imagine no feathers will make winter a bit easier! Sorry to not be much help- I'm not very good with decisions.

Nice to be able to put a face to the name :D He suits his name too! I'm not normally a big fan of cobs looks wise (shallow I know!) but I really really like him :D
 
Dear Hovis.

Tell your mum just because she waxes does NOT mean you need to. I heard the very same conversation on the yard about MY beautiful floating Ugg's this week... mum couldn't work out whether my new magnetic boots would work through them or not? she's bought me some STUPID wellies, and I look a dufus... but i think she's decided to 'just take the length off them'.. whatever that means. Where am I going to hide my secret snacks if I don't have my Uggs????? Silly woman.
 
juliette said:
Leave them on for the winter and take off for the summer - well that's what my farrier has advised me to do to avoid mud fever. So I am now leaving my horses feathers to grow back after their last clip in the summer.
Click to expand...

what juliette says ^^

he's very handsome either way, but IMO mud fever is less of a problem when they've got feather. Every horse round us hunts with feather left on, and some of those are pretty big and hairy! use Pig oil to keep them a bit cleaner, and makes it easier to comb them out and look for nicks and grazes.
 
Wow he is beautiful! :):):)

I've got to say - I love feathers. I get all kinds of jip from people saying I should get rid of my boy's, but I've never been able to bring myself to. They aren't a problem, he never gets mud fever, as I swear they offer him protection, and even if they aren't always at their cleanest, they are part of his character.

So, I'd say keep 'em .......... :o
 
Off for me. I have a miniature shetland who is VERY hairy and has alot of feathers. Not on that scale but, I always take them off because they are so unmanagable in the winter.
 
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