Turnout Hoods

[Safina]

So the beast has found an extra sticky patch of mud in his field and insists on rolling in it constantly. He has a fulll neck on but his face, between ears and top of mane is getting caked. It took me over an hour at the weekend to groom him off enough to get a bridle on and that was only the essential patches. Its frustrating me as I want to ride at night but as I don't get to the yard until 7.30pm I really don't have time to groom for a hour first.

I spotted a turn-out hood which covers his face with large eye holes cut out in a little tack shop when I was on the Isle of Wight last week. It had no tags or advice on it (or price so the lady let me have it for £5!) so I've not used it yet.

I've tried it on and it seems pretty snug but I cannot help but panic that it might slip and cover the beasts eyes. The eye holes are huge but I am still a little concerned.

Does anyone use one of these hoods/have any thoughts advice or opinions on them? I'm thinking of cutting it so the eye hole area is like one huge visor so even if it does slip the chances of covering his eyes are very slim.

 

[TGM]

I know another forum member on here had a horse that had to be PTS after the turnout hood slipped over its eyes, so personally I wouldn't take the risk of putting one on any of mine

.

 

[RachelB]

There should be many old posts on here about them. They are horrible things, one forum member lost a horse to one, and some have had accidents and near misses. I would never consider one, and nor would many people on here!

 

[Safina]

Thanks - I'd rather know than take any risk with the beast.

I'll take a pair of scissors to it at the weekend (its neoprene so cuttable without causing fraying) and cut it just below the ears so the whole of his face is still exposed but the bridle path through his mane at least remains clear.

Thanks again and apologies for stirring up any negative emotions.

 

[Heidi1]

Think it's better to stick to the grooming than risk putting something on that could end in tragedy. I have a couple, but wouldn't consider using them after reading some of the posts on here......

 

[RunToEarth]

Im in a similar situation- my horse rubs his head in the mud big style- but is really headshy and doesnt like bristles.
Had a scary scary 1/2 hour in the field a few weeks ago when he got his hood over his head, and could have written himself off, poor chap couldnt see and was really really paniced by it, good job he stayed still, otherwise it could have been curtains for him. Came on here and spoke to a few forum members about how dangerous they really are- NOT worth the risk!!

 

[SpruceRI]

I've got an indoor hood with the eye holes cut out. Pony has worn it fine for years, and then one morning came down and it had slipped and was squashing her left eye which was sore and weeping. Poor girl. It was weepy for days.

So I've now cut the whole face area out of it so it just covers round her ears and the bottom of her nose just to keep it in place. Don't think I'd risk turning her out in one though

 

[Tierra]

Must admit, I dont think Id feel comfortable turning out in these. I'd spend all my time panicing about horsey.

He wears a full neck rambo which at least protects most of him (i have more problems with legs and tummy than head) but I just dont think I could rest knowing that he had something that close to his eyes

I know the snuggy hoods are supposed to be very good and the ones that slip least but still... awful risk if something does happen.

 

[WelshRareBit]

I have just got Murphy one - but I'll be sewing the head part under and using it as a high neck rug, because it also worries me if it slips, I would panic - let alone the horse

 

[mandandpaddy]

I have a snuggy hood for my boy this is the 3rd year of using and have had no problems with it.

You must make sure that it is the correct fit and that you put the girth strap up very tightly to keep it in place. Paddy is a real roller in the mud and I have never seen it move and he comes in with it in the correct place.

 

[MagicMelon]

Ive just begun using a Snuggy Hood as well. Been on my boy about 2 weeks and it hasnt slipped once even with loads of rolling! Only problem Im finding is that the nose elastic bit is rubbing his hair up the wrong way (although hasnt rubbed as yet) and the underneath, on one side of his jaw has rubbed a bit.

 

[Safina]

Thanks again for all your posts - pleased to see that some people are using these without any traumas.

I decided that I would not take the risk as my boy is so accident prone that if something bad was going to happen it would happen to him! I took a pair of scissors to the hood and cut the whole of the face area off so his ears pop through the holes but thats as far down as it goes. Hopefully that will help keep the bridle path area cleaner and the top of his neck as his full neck always seems to slip.