Retired.....

[jellybaby]

Cowbag is retired (my ex eventer - wonky legs long story) she is still in at night in the winter, and well rugged, holding weight well and looks great under he rugs.
The question is, shall I bother to pull her mane and tail and smarten her up, or leave her in her swamp horse state? Just thoughts really....?
JB xx
PS - She is the MOST disgusting horse I have ever had, and doesn't roll, but she wallows.....

 

[Heidi1]

My boy has been retired for the last 10 years, but every so often I pull his mane, but don't bother with his tail, just trim the ends....

 

[spaniel]

Happy retirement Wonky!

I was just looking at Tom this morning trying to decide if I should continue to hog now he is retired. I reckon he would enjoy the attention so Im going to carry on as normal.

 

[jellybaby]

LOL Spans!!
I think she enjoys the retired lifestyle. She is the "senior" member of the yard (Shikes - she is 20 now!) - I can almost hear her saying "When I was eventing....." to all the whippersnappers!

Bless her - much as I moan about her I love her to bits really!

JB xx

 

[TGM]

I don't pull my retired mare's mane and tail, but I do trim the bottom of her tail and also trim her mane with scissors

! Purely because she is also a confirmed swamp wallower - if the mane isn't kept short it turns into mud-caked dreadlocks

. I let it grow in the summer, though, for protection against flies, but then chop it short at the beginning of winter.

 

[BBs]

Bertie is fully retired now and I continue to wash his tail trim it and pull his mane - I think he enjoys the attention

He loves a good groom and tidy up now and again - it doesnt hurt.

The old foxhunter horse i took on last summer had a mane down to his shoulder and tail trailing on teh floor - he looked such a mess and so grumpy too - once i started to tidy him up he turned into a different horse and loved the attention - he looks a different horse now

 

[Christmas_Kate]

TBH I wouldnt bother during the winter, as the extra length of mane and tail act as protection, but in the spring she'll appreciate a good tidy up.

 

[Alibear]

Mac's retired but he really doesn't like being fussed over so he's going with the fly away look for now. That and I hope come spring to turn him out 24x7 with the goal of leaving him out (with rugs if ness) from then on so I figure his coats better building up grease etc.

 

[Chex]

I wouldn't pull it (but then I don't do pulling!). Personally I'd just leave them natural, at least I will do with Chex when he's retired, probably keep hogging him though because it won't grow back! My YO chopped her oldies mane with scissors to about 2 inches long just before winter. I was so angry (she doesn't have a neck rug and needs every ounce of warmth she can get!). I would still smarten them up, but not to the extent of pulling manes.

 

[Baggybreeches]

I would keep her trimmed and pulled, just because I am a bit OCD about my horses looking the biz, even when doing nothing! When I worked in a showjumping yard I used to use my lunchtimes to trim and titivate the old pony and the retired grand prix horse, everyone thought I was mad but they loved the attention!