should i groom her or just leave her as a mud monster for the winter?

[StormyMoments]

my 2year old is a complete mud monster and this evening it took me an hour to get the worst of the dried mud off her... she isnt going to be rugged (unless she really needs it) and isnt doing anything, so do i just leave her to be a hippo or should i just groom her as normal?

im asking this as i dont want to take the oil out of her coat as she needs to be waterproof

also if the mud is sticking the hair together would that make them cold? as its not patches its like a sheet

ta me lovelies

 

[mulledwhine]

I would not get too precious about it if she is to live out, just a good going over once a week to get her natural oils working, and more than anything to check for any soreness.

Hth xx

 

[stencilface]

If she keeps enough weight on, and gets enough food I can't see that she would get cold. My sisters 2yo is in a similar situation this year, and will only get a rug on if its really cold like last year - he is not fussed about the rain and cold at all it seems, as long as he can stuff his face with hay

I would keep checking by putting your hands over the crusty mud and making sure everything is dry and warm under there, and wouldn't worry. Mud is like an extra rain shield

 

[MissMistletoe]

My youngster loves a good roll and is always smothered in mud! She lives out.

I dont tend to groom the mud off unless im long reining her or something. She does also get quite annoyed with me when i do brush her because she's a sensitive skinned soul, and i think even the softest dandy brush tugs on her skin too much when trying to loosen off mud with her winter coat.

I do wonder whether the layer of mud helps as a barrier to keep the heat next to their skin, or whether it prevents their coats from fluffing up to trap the heat, so maybe someone can answer that one for us!.

ETA: no body brushes used in the winter to help keep oils and scurf in good use!

 

[Feathered]

My 2yr old is the same, I just accept I now own a bog monster until April, we don't go out in public so what does it really matter!
I don't want to be brushing him all the time and stripping his coat of oils just for the sake of it, plus the mud is an extra layer for warmth.

I tell him it's his last year of being a layabout youth so he might as well enjoy it ;-)

 

[miller]

Our 2yos only get brushed when filthy to keep them used to it, rest of the time they are mud monsters

 

[Cobiau Cymreig Wyllt]

I've been knocking the dried mud off my 2yo. He has a super fluffed-up coat which looks a sight warmer blowing mud-free in the wind than flattened hard with dried mud - but that might just be a complete pyschological effect on my part rather than based on any genuine science!!!!
He's unrugged and out 24/7 but I do completely leave anything that is the slightest bit wet - only dandying off dry. His coat seems to be pumping out a usual amount of dander and grease, so am presumably not interfering too much with his normal production by doing it...no body-brushing though.

 

[abitodd]

Mud is a ceramic rug and warmer than any man made rug.
Mine live rug-less.
I flick the worst off before riding,using a stiff Dandy,pumice groomer or a thing like a metal curry comb.
My horse had been rugged as a youngster(before I bought him) and in his 1st year unrugged I noticed the hair clumping as you describe. He did develop rain scald. So now I try to de-clump once a week or so(fingers do the job quite well),just to check there is nothing nasty going on.
My theory is that he developed rain scald because he had previously been rugged and therefore his circulation/resistance was compromised. He has not had any problems since and my baby horse who has never been rugged shows no sign of rainscald.

 

[CrazyMare]

My broodmare gets disgustingly muddy. She gets it all brushed off twice a week to check for any cuts, bumps or lumps

 

[emma.is]

I wouldn't try and get every single bit of mud off every night, but she'd love a good groom twice maybe three times a week. Plus it's important to check for injuries

 

[Pocket_Rocket]

I would just give her a grooming session twice a week she will enjoy the contact as well as being demudded! lol I have to groom mine every day can't bare for him to be covered in mud! But he's easy because he's rugged and clipped just a case of sorting hs muddy dreadlocks! lol Think I got OCD about it! lol But yours is living out and is only a baby so as long as she gets groomed once or twice a week I think thats fine. Also gives you a chance to check her over for any lumps and bumps/injuries.