Tell me about Gypsy Cobs!

[sychnant]

How on earth do you keep the mane and feathers nice??

I am going to look at a GC today and he is stunning, but so much hair! We have clay soil... am I mad?

 

[jenz87]

I have a gypsy cob on clay soil, its doable. I wouldnt call myself an expert though!!
As everyone will say on here, lots of pig oil and sulphur helps! I try not to wash my lad too much as that doesnt do any horse any good!
I do a maintenance hose/ quick scrub every 2 weeks and then a proper wash for events or when he needs to be clean!
Its not that bad

 

[sychnant]

I'm not completely mad then, that's a first

He is SO not my type of horse, I don't do fur and feathers, but something about his advert has made me go back and look again repeatedly. Will post a pic if and when he becomes mine, fingers crossed!

 

[jenz87]

He is my first too, had him a year now, he is harder than my connie. Though my connie is different, she is going for the skewbald championship as you have never seen as many stable stains every day. I just make sure my horses are happy and brushed, if they have stains, they wont die If i was to wash them both every day it would be a waste of time, and also not good for them!!
Just learn to not expect show clean horses every day
(The pig oil helps the mud slide off the feathers easier so its not too bad ).

Good luck

heres my lad at a show earlier this year

 

[sychnant]

Oh wow! He's a stunner!

I'm not so worried about stains, as long as I can find the legs to check them every day, didn't want to have to hose so Pig Oil and Sulphur sounds like an essential

I also worry about his mane - it's twice as long as his neck is wide, and gorgeous, but I fear it may have to be taken back a bit - I have considered plaiting it, but I think that would provide a brilliant chew toy for my colt

 

[Flicker51]

Agree with jenz 87 about not expecting pristine all the time - though with judicious rugging most of them can be clean most of the time ! The feathers are really protective -in the depths of winter the insides are usually white and dry.
7 day mud away helps - also I use a tail brush on the feathers to keep them tangle free - otherwise we get dreadlocks

I think GC's are fab - biased obviously - but they are like the collies of the horse world - really clever and versatile and usually up for it whilst being pretty sensible to hack. They usually love a 1:1 relationship too but are good with other horses.

 

[sychnant]

Just hope he is all of that Flicker!

He's only 4, so green, but rides sensibly, has popped a small crosspole, and is broken to drive. I bought my colt from this lady so know that she is completely honest. He was destined for Driving for the Disabled but has got to 14hh at 4 and is a bit bigger than they had hoped.

 

[**Vanner**]

Defiantly need to learn that you cannot keep them show clean all the time. My boy has got cleaner as he has matured but you do have to accept a little bit of off white, and get used to using ridiculous amounts of cowboy magic

Oil or other forms of mud gaurd on the legs helps mud etc slide off when dry and does really help.

Manes are best kept plaited and IMHO bagged if you think they may get muddy and or chewed.

With my previous horses I was a turnout freak but with Sidney I have to accept he doesnt look perfect all the time, but I keep him presentable and that seems to suit the both of us.

 

[sychnant]

Your boy is gorgeous too Vanner! I seem to have been converted from liking my horses streamlined to liking them hairy, never thought that would happen!

The one I went to see is the sweetest little horse ever. SO laid back, and happy to be cuddled all day. Watches things with interest but no looking for an excuse to make a fuss, just sensible.

Picking him up on Friday!