Keeping a show horses legs clean...how do you do it

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Dizzydusty

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Do you use bandages to keep white legs clean?? If so what type? Elastic, fleece, polo???

I am wanting to be able to keep my lads legs clean when in the warm up, but have never thought about bandages until now. If you dont use bandages, what do you use??

Thanks

Dizzy
 
Nothing, as long as legs are dry then any dust from the school can be easily brushed out before you go in by a willing helper/slave!
 
Hairy or non hairy?

If hairy, then quite hard to keep clean, particularly if you are working in in mud or a school with the sticky surface (or sand). Lots of people just use stable bandages, and some of them also use clingfilm under the bandage if there is a lot of hair on the leg.
 
Non hairy, clipped out show cob legs.

Normally don't worry about his legs once I am in the warm up, but its usualy working hunter I do, so it doesn't really matter if they get muddy jumping.

So would fleece stable bandages do? If its dry then I probably wont use anything.

Thanks
 
I use bandages that have fleece gamgee for the first bit and then finish with a stretch of elastic for security.
 
I find that if you smear chalk powder on damp legs after a wash.. it has to be damp not dripping wet as then chalk runs down the hoof. Then bandage, normally over night i use gamgee and stable bandages,

i remove in the morning and re bandage manley to check that there are no bandage marks, then re bandage. I never actully leave bandages on after travel, but once warmed up i then get slave/groom/helper to brush off, a lot of loose chalk comes off taking any surface dirt with it, then if needed i use a quick spray of spray on white hair dye (i think lynn russell do a tin but i use a product from boots.)

im a tad OTT about the whitness of my neds, its surprising the amount you see at county level that have remains of stains/tinges on legs and tbh it drives me mad lol!
 
If you buy chalk powder and mix it with water to create a sort of thick paste you can paint this on with a clean hoof oil brush the night before and bandage as well if you choose too.

Next day, take bandages off, warm up as normal and then get a willing helper to brush off the paste (brushes off fairly easily) and finally put your hoof stuff on just before you go in.

I never normally do this method as frankly I can never be bothered but if we ever go showing (which is rare!) that is the routine I use - keeps legs blinging!
 
Just noticed this is very similar to jhowards method!

However if anyone has any methods for getting tails whiter than white (coloured so black and white tail) then im all ears! Have tried everything from various shampoos, daz, dolly blue rinse stuff to vanish - nothing seems to get rid of the pissy yellow stain. Its much better than it was when we got autumn but there is still a tinge to it :(
 
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then if needed i use a quick spray of spray on white hair dye (i think lynn russell do a tin but i use a product from boots.)


Never heard of that one before, must have a look at boots in the morning.

Thanks All!
 
jhoward said:
I find that if you smear chalk powder on damp legs after a wash.. it has to be damp not dripping wet as then chalk runs down the hoof. Then bandage, normally over night i use gamgee and stable bandages,

i remove in the morning and re bandage manley to check that there are no bandage marks, then re bandage. I never actully leave bandages on after travel, but once warmed up i then get slave/groom/helper to brush off, a lot of loose chalk comes off taking any surface dirt with it, then if needed i use a quick spray of spray on white hair dye (i think lynn russell do a tin but i use a product from boots.)

im a tad OTT about the whitness of my neds, its surprising the amount you see at county level that have remains of stains/tinges on legs and tbh it drives me mad lol!
Click to expand...

ditto this but i have to chalk up my mares withers to as she gets amazin grass staines there whatever i do
 
First I use a mix of Curash baby powder mixed with water to a smooth paste and scrub into socks with a tooth brush - then I bandage over using white hand towels folded in half as padding and bandaged with white or blue stable bandages.

The reason I always use white or blue was from a woopsy years ago when I had a thing for red. I washed my youngsters legs and bandaged his legs wit the old stockinette bandages. When I got to the show he had pink socks!

I leave them on until just before i go in. The curash makes the socks really white. Sometimes you may have to brush off the excess if it has gone on too thick.

For tails - heaps of washing and a tail bag 24/7

WishawSerenityJan2010010-1.jpg
 
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