Keeping hairy legs clean....?

Django Pony

Django Pony

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Hiya,
I plan to do some showing for the first time this year with my hairy boy! I plan on bathing him the day before, and am fairly confident that I can get his feathers clean and white, but my question is how best to keep them clean overnight? I've never bandaged a horse with feathers before, does anyone have any tips, or advice on other methods for keeping him clean?
Thanks in advance
x
 
I have got a VERY hairy traditional cob, and I bandage them with padding and fleece wraps once legs are cleaned and towel dried. This seems to have done the job pretty well. I unwrap in the morning and brush out, fluff up and then put travel boots on to keep clean until show time :)

I'd never banaged before last summer either, I looked up some guides online before having a go and then asked someone at my yard to check them just in case. I also used fleece wraps so I couldn't bandage too tight and all in all it has worked out fine
 
Kub said:
I have got a VERY hairy traditional cob, and I bandage them with padding and fleece wraps once legs are cleaned and towel dried. This seems to have done the job pretty well. I unwrap in the morning and brush out, fluff up and then put travel boots on to keep clean until show time :)

I'd never banaged before last summer either, I looked up some guides online before having a go and then asked someone at my yard to check them just in case. I also used fleece wraps so I couldn't bandage too tight and all in all it has worked out fine
Click to expand...

Thanks! So, it's ok to put the bandages on when his legs are a bit damp?
Also, what padding do you use? Gamgee?
x
 
Hi

I used to have a welsh section B that had feathers on him, had to keep them for showing.

Wash and chalk up (if you have to) the night before. Then gamgee/white pads with a set of stable bandages rolled on top (you can buy these anywhere and at dirt cheap prices), keep these on overnight.

Instead of using travel boots, just redo the gamgee/bandages. And if you're worried about him banging his knees/hocks either put the travel boots on over the top OR if you have them (or again you can buy them dirt cheap) a set of knee boots and a set of hock boots. xoxo
 
Yep, that's what it's called, gamgee. Got it from my local tack shop, very cheap. Not a problem at all, I did it before every show last year (did about 10-15) and never had a problem. Chalked up the ends and wrapped, great every time (see sig :) )
 
nikkimariet said:
Hi

I used to have a welsh section B that had feathers on him, had to keep them for showing.

Wash and chalk up (if you have to) the night before. Then gamgee/white pads with a set of stable bandages rolled on top (you can buy these anywhere and at dirt cheap prices), keep these on overnight.

Instead of using travel boots, just redo the gamgee/bandages. And if you're worried about him banging his knees/hocks either put the travel boots on over the top OR if you have them (or again you can buy them dirt cheap) a set of knee boots and a set of hock boots. xoxo
Click to expand...

Thanks :D
I have knee and hock boots. Just need a nice set of bandages and some pads :)
 
Kub said:
Yep, that's what it's called, gamgee. Got it from my local tack shop, very cheap. Not a problem at all, I did it before every show last year (did about 10-15) and never had a problem. Chalked up the ends and wrapped, great every time (see sig :) )
Click to expand...

If my boy's turn out half as white as yours are in your sig, I'll be well chuffed! x
This may be a stupid question, but do you chalk him when the feathers are dry? I'm guessing if you put it on when they're wet or damp it'd go into a paste?
 
Nope, I wash (3 times!! damn all that feather lol) then I towel dry, rub in chalk and bandage up. It doesn't go pastey as don't think there's moisture but give it a good rub in and then I brush it out in the morning and trot him around a bit in hand to get rid of the clouds hehe. Talc powder is also very good for last minute whitening! I always keep a big bottle in my show kit
 
I always chalked when wet, yeah it goes abit pasty, but you're putting bandages on top anyway!! It doesn't irritate their skin at all btw. Then brush off and chalk up again the next day, just keep chalking chalking chalking what do we do we keep on chalking.... Ponies can never be too clean!!

Re: nice set of bandages - cottage craft do lovely quality fleece ones if you don't want to spend a fortune....maybe match them to his travel rug/boots?!!!

I am a fan of the matchy matchy in case you hadn't noticed....it's the dressage rider in me!! xoxo
 
Chalk blocks for me, found powder really really dusty, my clothes ended up with chalk dandruff!! But that may just be me....as I'm brilliant at getting dirt all over myself!! xoxo
 
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