Keeping grey horse clean

skully

skully

Active Member
Joined
1 October 2013
Messages
47
Visit site
Hi, I have a grey connie pony who just loves to roll :) he's out in full neck combos all the time but still manages to get his head and the very top of his neck dirty. I'm not usually too fussy about muddy legs, but the ground at our yard must have a lot of clay in as his face is getting stained orange! Does anyone have any ideas on how to stop the mud staining so badly? Thanks
 
Haha it looks that way! I looked into snuggy hoods but have heard lots of horror stories about them so I'm steering clear for now.

Has anyone tried show sheen, baby oil or pig oil?
 
skully said:
Haha it looks that way! I looked into snuggy hoods but have heard lots of horror stories about them so I'm steering clear for now.

Has anyone tried show sheen, baby oil or pig oil?
Click to expand...

Oh really? About them twisting and covering the eyes? I read that but thought a headless one would probably suffice...but like you say, if you're on clay and the head is getting stained it wouldn't really provide a solution to that :(
 
I too have a grey connie. On clay soil.
I despair! He is a mud fiend. I don't know why he feels the need to get that muddy. He is clipped out in a full rug and neck but still comes in plastered too! I plait his tail and band his top and bottom mane which helps a bit bit to be honest I have given up!!
He also likes to add burs on top so he ends up looking like a matted hedgehog.
I use pig oil in mane and tail which helps a bit and being clipped makes it easier but I just mainly don't bother now lol!'
 
I bought a grey connie last week, lovely lovely boy. Bought fully clipped and other than where his bridle/saddle/girth goes he won't be brushed/bathed till spring as its not worth it!
 
I gave up before i even really tried with the rain at the moment (The front 10ft of their field is ankles deep mud) and it not being cold enough to rug my Bay Near Leopard Spot Appy is trying to do his best impression of a Bay at the moment. You can see where him and his field buddy sleep at night from all the flat sections in the mud at the front haha
 
I've got a grey, luckily he doesn't seem to stain too bad on his body. His main and tail do but I've given up for now!
 
Show Sheen does help a little, so that the mud can't 'hold onto' his fur so easily. Is he clipped? If he is, then (only if he's stabled at night, mind) fully clipping out his head will make it far easier to wash/brush the mud off, although I'm aware it isn't always an option ;)

I do use both fleece and waterproof snuggy type hoods on the 'white' grey, and also the fully clipped horses, and have never had one slip or cover their eyes, so perhaps just try using one? They certainly do help!

For competitions/ shows/ hunting or everyday, Gallop Grey shampoo is great at getting them lovely and clean, and if you want a really shiny white coat, I recommend Wahl Diamond White - works wonders! I normally give 'Piggy' (nicknamed that because of her love of mud/ poo!) a really good, big scrub with the Gallop shampoo, and then another wash with the Diamond White for that super white sheen. To cover up any remaining stable stains/ yellow bits around the knee and hock area, I use Supreme Products 'Leg & Body Whitener' - the night before the event, whilst her legs are still wet, I mix it into a paste with water, and then sponge or paint it on using nice thick layers, before popping stable bandages on, and then leaving to dry until morning. In the morning I'll get her out the stable, take off bandages, brush off excess dried paste, and then re-paste joints/ legs in necessary, preferably a good two hours before we set off.

Hope the above was a bit helpful. :)
 
EquiEquestrian556 said:
Show Sheen does help a little, so that the mud can't 'hold onto' his fur so easily. Is he clipped? If he is, then (only if he's stabled at night, mind) fully clipping out his head will make it far easier to wash/brush the mud off, although I'm aware it isn't always an option ;)

I do use both fleece and waterproof snuggy type hoods on the 'white' grey, and also the fully clipped horses, and have never had one slip or cover their eyes, so perhaps just try using one? They certainly do help!

For competitions/ shows/ hunting or everyday, Gallop Grey shampoo is great at getting them lovely and clean, and if you want a really shiny white coat, I recommend Wahl Diamond White - works wonders! I normally give 'Piggy' (nicknamed that because of her love of mud/ poo!) a really good, big scrub with the Gallop shampoo, and then another wash with the Diamond White for that super white sheen. To cover up any remaining stable stains/ yellow bits around the knee and hock area, I use Supreme Products 'Leg & Body Whitener' - the night before the event, whilst her legs are still wet, I mix it into a paste with water, and then sponge or paint it on using nice thick layers, before popping stable bandages on, and then leaving to dry until morning. In the morning I'll get her out the stable, take off bandages, brush off excess dried paste, and then re-paste joints/ legs in necessary, preferably a good two hours before we set off.

Hope the above was a bit helpful. :)
Click to expand...

I really appreciate your advice, thanks so much :)
 
Pc2003 said:
I too have a grey connie. On clay soil.
I despair! He is a mud fiend. I don't know why he feels the need to get that muddy. He is clipped out in a full rug and neck but still comes in plastered too! I plait his tail and band his top and bottom mane which helps a bit bit to be honest I have given up!!
He also likes to add burs on top so he ends up looking like a matted hedgehog.
I use pig oil in mane and tail which helps a bit and being clipped makes it easier but I just mainly don't bother now lol!'
Click to expand...
Haha they sound very similar! Mine is clipped out too except for his legs and head. I might try the pig oil, I've heard some good stuff about it. Thank you :)

Tiarella said:
I bought a grey connie last week, lovely lovely boy. Bought fully clipped and other than where his bridle/saddle/girth goes he won't be brushed/bathed till spring as its not worth it!
Click to expand...
Ooh lovely, they are fab ponies! I wish I could do the same but I just can't stand to take my white pony to winter shows with an orange face :)

EquiEquestrian556 said:
Show Sheen does help a little, so that the mud can't 'hold onto' his fur so easily. Is he clipped? If he is, then (only if he's stabled at night, mind) fully clipping out his head will make it far easier to wash/brush the mud off, although I'm aware it isn't always an option ;)

I do use both fleece and waterproof snuggy type hoods on the 'white' grey, and also the fully clipped horses, and have never had one slip or cover their eyes, so perhaps just try using one? They certainly do help!

For competitions/ shows/ hunting or everyday, Gallop Grey shampoo is great at getting them lovely and clean, and if you want a really shiny white coat, I recommend Wahl Diamond White - works wonders! I normally give 'Piggy' (nicknamed that because of her love of mud/ poo!) a really good, big scrub with the Gallop shampoo, and then another wash with the Diamond White for that super white sheen. To cover up any remaining stable stains/ yellow bits around the knee and hock area, I use Supreme Products 'Leg & Body Whitener' - the night before the event, whilst her legs are still wet, I mix it into a paste with water, and then sponge or paint it on using nice thick layers, before popping stable bandages on, and then leaving to dry until morning. In the morning I'll get her out the stable, take off bandages, brush off excess dried paste, and then re-paste joints/ legs in necessary, preferably a good two hours before we set off.

Hope the above was a bit helpful. :)
Click to expand...
Thank you very much, I'll definitely be trying out those shampoos as we have showjumping on Wednesday. He is clipped but not on his head as the bridle rubs his skin, he's a sensitive soul haha :) do you use the actual Snuggy Hoods ones or a different brand? I've heard not to use anything but the proper Snuggy Hoods but they're just so expensive! I might try them out just for a few hours at a time to start with. Thanks again!

Araboo27 said:
Oh really? About them twisting and covering the eyes? I read that but thought a headless one would probably suffice...but like you say, if you're on clay and the head is getting stained it wouldn't really provide a solution to that :(
Click to expand...
Yeah there was an accident on our yard before I moved there apparently, now YO refuses to turn horses out wearing them, just in case. They're a fab idea but I'm not sure I want to take the risk :/
 
skully said:
Thank you very much, I'll definitely be trying out those shampoos as we have showjumping on Wednesday. He is clipped but not on his head as the bridle rubs his skin, he's a sensitive soul haha :) do you use the actual Snuggy Hoods ones or a different brand? I've heard not to use anything but the proper Snuggy Hoods but they're just so expensive! I might try them out just for a few hours at a time to start with. Thanks again!
Click to expand...

No problem. :) Ah, sounds like my chestnut mare - the most sensitive horse ever! Perhaps if you only do half his head, just up to about his cheekbone, that way it mud gets by his cheek area you can just brush/ wash it off, but it still leaves protection from his bridle?

No, I don't use the Suggy Hood ones, they are quite expensive, and have been known to slip. For the fleece hoods (for in the stable) I use the Tottie Equestrian ones, with ears, plus they also keep their heads warm if they're fully clipped out (like ours). Excellent value for money in my opinion (I'd recommend going up a size if in doubt BTW, they come up a tad small in the head) - http://www.robinsonsequestrian.com/tottie-cosmic-fleece-hood.html

For turnout, I use something that looks very similar to these - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Red-Stret...hash=item1c4cba3007:m:mn8CPOeie9UhlRVy0sH377g

The two hoods that I've added the links to have never slipped or moved with my horses.
Good luck with the SJ next week BTW! :)
 
EquiEquestrian556 said:
For competitions/ shows/ hunting or everyday, Gallop Grey shampoo is great at getting them lovely and clean, and if you want a really shiny white coat, I recommend Wahl Diamond White - works wonders! I normally give 'Piggy' (nicknamed that because of her love of mud/ poo!) a really good, big scrub with the Gallop shampoo, and then another wash with the Diamond White for that super white sheen. To cover up any remaining stable stains/ yellow bits around the knee and hock area, I use Supreme Products 'Leg & Body Whitener' - the night before the event, whilst her legs are still wet, I mix it into a paste with water, and then sponge or paint it on using nice thick layers, before popping stable bandages on, and then leaving to dry until morning. In the morning I'll get her out the stable, take off bandages, brush off excess dried paste, and then re-paste joints/ legs in necessary, preferably a good two hours before we set off.

Hope the above was a bit helpful. :)
Click to expand...

I have just screen shot this for future reference ! thank you!!! :)
 
Wash his face every day (or any day he comes in dirty) with warm water and towel dry. You can get a fleece neck/face cover to keep him warm in the worst of the winter if stabled at night. You could use a hood, but the mud can still get in through the eye holes!
 
I'm an expert on this unfortunately. 3 of the 4 horses I've had have been grey. I'm never having another.
Snuggy Hoods are a lifesaver. They need to be proper Snuggy Hoods though, not cheap copies. sign up to their newsletters and they'll send you deals. I've never paid full price for one! I've heard some horror stories but have used the for 10 years and never seen any problems. My boys are sensible older horses though and in a very settled herd with other sensible older horses.

Tailbags are also brilliant. Google tailgator tail bags and buy one, my two now have beautifully white tails

The only way to keep them clean is to keep them clean. Wash off any stains - stable stains in particular as soon as you see them before they have a change to 'set' on them. Same with mud, particularly clay you have to wash it off every day. Don't bother with expensive horse shampoos, blue fairy liquid is every bit as good.

I've also tried (mainly on tails but might have tried a bit on bodies too :o), bicarbonate of soda, white vinegar, steradent, non- bio washing powder. Don't think they're any better than the fairy liquid.

Of course this is what I do, honest. I don't just do the minimum brushing most of the time and then wish I'd done more to keep them clean when I've got a competition coming up and then spend hours scrubbing and still have a beige horse and a sense of self loathing for not practicing what I preach at the end of it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top