RunToEarth
Well-Known Member
I still think the socks where a good idea. My horse gets washed twice the night before a show and usually at least once in the morning of the show as he is basically hoof to elbow white and then hoof to hock white. It was as much a hope to help reduce the irritation to his pink skin as much as to keep legs clean. And his legs only get washed for a show, otherwise they are untouched!!
A lot of things are designed to make our lives easier so why cant we have them for horses?!
I suppose what bothered me about the socks is that I have confidence that a set of bandages put on properly will stay there without being uncomfortable and irritable, the socks don't really do that for me and I just can't see that the stretchy material is that comfortable or breathable.
It's not about getting up earlier, it's about having to bathe horses EVERY day which can't be good for their skin. YO's daughter has a grey BSJA pony and when they go to the big shows the pony needs a bath every day to keep her clean - can't do HOYS or equivalent covered in poo stains.
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This is their equine onesie:
http://www.shwmaeproductsltd.co.uk/userfiles/4548/products/1369312788.JPG
The material appears to be the same cheapy fleece material that you find with Primark PJs - the type that becomes static, makes you sweaty and is generally nasty, I can't imagine it does the horse much good.
The legs look baggy - a bit like human PJs. I can't vouch for anyone elses' horses' reaction - but if I put those on mine they would probably boot the hell out of themselves, I also think loosely fitting things around horses legs are dangerous. The tops of the back legs are baggy - I would be concerned that on getting up from being laid down, they would catch a hoof in there.
I would not like to leave a horse for an evening with that on it's head - I don't think it is healthy for the horse to spent hours with fleece around it's ears.
I don't trust Velcro as a rug fastener. The whole thing is held together by Velcro, and I would worry that a horse would half undress itself and hang itself/impale itself as horses tend to do.
I understand the need to not wash your horse every day of the year, but I do think that with a good set of well applied bandages, some stain remover and some rugs it isn't difficult to keep a horse clean - it's possible, I have a grey...and no onesie!