Turnout hoods? Opinions please

[OlderNotWiser]

I broke my shoulder last week ? so can’t ride or drive. I’ve sorted Bear’s care and exercise but his field is really muddy and he comes in with dreadlocks in his mane every day. As I want my instructor and daughter to be able to spend more time riding than grooming would it be worth me investing in turnouts hoods? Any advice or opinions gratefully received.

 

[Carrottom]

Ouch, that sounds painful. When you say hood do you mean a neck cover? Or something that covers the face? I use rugs with neck covers but wouldn't turn out with a hood in case it moved over his eyes.

 

[millitiger]

I wouldn't- too much risk of them getting stuck or over their eyes, let alone the potential mane damage.

I personally prefer a nice, short, mane and run baby oil through it once a week and we then hardly get any mud sticking, and any that does then brushes straight out.

If you do want a hood, buy 2 so they can be washed very regularly.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I had a snuggy hoods turnout last winter on my TB as I had limited riding time, he was part bred hippo and hated being brushed.
it worked really well IMO.
I would say you need 2 one to wash and one to wear.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Current horse has a faceless one as reading the other comments I do know a lot of people don’t like them covering the face. It actually stays in place pretty well, he usually has a muddy top quarter of his mane but it’s mostly clean. Maybe an option if you don’t like the full face idea.

 

[throwaway2022]

Ouch, that sounds painful. When you say hood do you mean a neck cover? Or something that covers the face? I use rugs with neck covers but wouldn't turn out with a hood in case it moved over his eyes.

That’s happened to me with a sweet itch hood, luckily the mare wasn’t bothered but it could have ended badly! I love the look of the water resistant turnout hoods but daren’t risk it

 

[OlderNotWiser]

I had a snuggy hoods turnout last winter on my TB as I had limited riding time, he was part bred hippo and hated being brushed.
it worked really well IMO.
I would say you need 2 one to wash and one to wear.

Thanks for your response, I’ve just been looking at Snuggy Hoods. I definitely thought I’d get 2 and as I can’t get there (so reliant on others putting it on) I thought headless was probably safer.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I use the headless snuggy hoods they work really well you just need to make sure they fit properly they need to be quite snug or they slip back.

 

[Lady Jane]

I use neck covers but actually its not the end of the world to ride at home with a muddy mane

 

[rara007]

I have a headless hood on my cob- my sports horse barely gets any mud in his mane but the cob is something else. Works well. Would be almost impossible to get stuck over the eyes- there’s a ‘martingale’ holding it behind his elbows and the strap at the top of the neck does up tight enough you can’t get it over his jaw without undoing that

 

[OlderNotWiser]

I personally prefer a nice, short, mane and run baby oil through it once a week and we then hardly get any mud sticking, and any that does then brushes straight out.

I’ll definitely try that when I’m mobile again but non driving for a minimum of 6 weeks ? so looking for a cheat!

 

[OlderNotWiser]

I use neck covers but actually its not the end of the world to ride at home with a muddy mane

I regularly ride him looking like a hippo, my instructor however has higher standards ?

 

[McGrools]

I have used snuggy hoods for years never had a problem with them slipping. They are a godsend. One mare in particular is an absolute hippo and grinds herself in clay mud at every opportunity. i dont think i’d have the time or energy to clean her up everytime i wanted to grab a quick ride, x

 

[MereChristmas]

I have used snuggy hoods for years never had a problem with them slipping. They are a godsend. One mare in particular is an absolute hippo and grinds herself in clay mud at every opportunity. i dont think i’d have the time or energy to clean her up everytime i wanted to grab a quick ride, x

I agree. I have used the complete head and neck on 7 different ponies and horses without problem. However when I used the headless one the horse’s mane was rubbed completely away behind the ears.

Edited to add.. I have just remembered why I bought the hoods. It was because my horses not only had dreadlocks of mud they got mud fever on their necks from muddy manes rubbing on clipped necks.

 

[MuddyMonster]

It would be a no from me, I'm afraid.

I'd use a neck cover & just explain to your instructor that you'd rather they just groomed where the tack went and rode in the time you are paying them