to those of your with particularly feathery friends..?

ClobellsandBaubles

ClobellsandBaubles

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 January 2011
Messages
2,062
Location
aberdeen
Visit site
horses that is not birds :)
Have you ever seen of heard of horses with long feathers tripping themselves up on their own feathers by over reaching and catching them in front?? I have not come across this before but someone on the ground mentioned it the other day... thoughts please :D
 
If the feathers are that long it must be time to trim them surely?
I have never seen it happen, but my mare has long feathers and I would say its possible. Give them a trim
 
Yep! On some of the youngsters they do to start with sometimes when we're first backing them. They stop doing it with a bit more balance established after a few rides.

Trimming them does not even come into the equation for them! Sin.
 
Friends especially hairy baby did trip a bit when he was first backed but certainly doesn't now. Trimming???? How dare you!!!;)
 
I have a furry foot and haven't noticed him catching his feathers. I did have to cut his tail though as he couldn't rein back without standing on it - shame because it was a real floor sweeper trophy tail :cool:
 
Yep, I've heard of this. Putting overreach boots on them usually solves the problem (keeps the feather under control). Also ditto on the trimming, not really something you do on the hairies.

RebelRebel - I reckon a tail trim is in order for my boy, his tail now touches the floor even when plaited!!
 
They shouldn't trip unless they're being lazy and shuffling along. As the hoof rises the action of it then coming to the ground lifts the feather and should not touch the ground before the foot.
My lad does step on his tail like others have said as its so heavy it takes some strength to lift when reining back. Sadly it does get a trim otherwise it sweeps the ground by a few inches. However, there's a certain naughty filly who helps by grooming his hairiness and she 'thins' his mane and tail.
 
My mature mare spooked and tripped herself up on her feather the other day. She's a county show horse so no way is she getting a trim. I told her to watch her feet. She did.
 
Kub said:
RebelRebel - I reckon a tail trim is in order for my boy, his tail now touches the floor even when plaited!!
Click to expand...

Mine is the same at the moment but I'm reluctant to trim it...one of my friends keeps walking past him with scissors and threatening to have a go at it!! Lol!!!
 
jsr said:
Mine is the same at the moment but I'm reluctant to trim it...one of my friends keeps walking past him with scissors and threatening to have a go at it!! Lol!!!
Click to expand...

Don't let scissors near it lol! I'm going to use a mane puller (so not techincal name!) to do his so I get a nice natural cut. It's not all bad, it'll get rid of the dirty bit I can't get white again lol!
 
when they're all silkied up for a show, my fellas actually drag on the ground and he sometimes pulls them out by standing on them with his other foot...

BnBx
 
Do you find you collect things in the long tail? Out on a ride we often have a trail of brambles, branches, small children and dogs :eek: all caught up in the tail bumbling along behind us.
 
Id say the horses comfort and safety come before looks. If they need trimming they need trimming! you wouldnt grow your hair so long you fall over it would you? I know people have a bit of a thing about not trimming the hairy ones but surely it must be uncomfatable for them to be standing on their own hair? Mine is a hairy girl but she gets trimmed for her own comfort.
 
Kub said:
Don't let scissors near it lol! I'm going to use a mane puller (so not techincal name!) to do his so I get a nice natural cut. It's not all bad, it'll get rid of the dirty bit I can't get white again lol!
Click to expand...

Oh didn't think to use on of those, he came to me hogged so after years of trying to get his natural look back I'm really un-trimming friendly!! He looked a fright hogged, all my previous heavy cobs were hogged because it suited them but he just looked appauling and it go me hooked to hairys. :D
 
Kub said:
Yep, I've heard of this. Putting overreach boots on them usually solves the problem (keeps the feather under control). Also ditto on the trimming, not really something you do on the hairies.

RebelRebel - I reckon a tail trim is in order for my boy, his tail now touches the floor even when plaited!!
Click to expand...

i thought about this he's a bit of a baby and quite unfit but he really strides out so i don't think it's laziness and he's not mine so i don't think his mum would take kindly to me chopping them off
hehe C&C possession is 9/10th of the law after all
 
RebelRebel said:
Do you find you collect things in the long tail? Out on a ride we often have a trail of brambles, branches, small children and dogs :eek: all caught up in the tail bumbling along behind us.
Click to expand...

Definitely, have found the odd farrier's apprentice in there. The fit ones I keep.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top