Washing feathers at this time of year?

[GrumpyMare]

I am wanting to wash my Cobby's feathers off, to get rid of the staining and whatever else is lurking in his feathers. We also have an in hand show coming up at the end of the month. I am wondering whether it is safe to do so in the winter? The temperature is gradually getting milder (horayy! ) but I just thought I'd check. What about his tail also? The rest of him is rugged so has been kept lovely and clean. Am I better off using warm water? (which will dry cold anyway) or does it not particulary matter? Should I bandage afterwards? Or just towel dry as best I can? He's on rubber matting and straw in a non-draughty stable.

Thanks for any help, sorry if it's a stupid question

 

[abbieandfiona]

When ive had to get ready for a comp in the winter, i always used warm water to wash her with and then towel dried her, only did half her tail as she didnt get all of it muddy. Another option is to use the sprays you can get as well to get rid of stains as a simple wash may not be enough.

 

[GrumpyMare]

Thanks for the reply! I'm glad it wasn't a sarcy reply!

I've got some baby shampoo which I will use first on his feathers, then I've also got some gallop whitening shampoo, and I will wash his feathers with that afterwards. Same with his tail, One good wash will mean he'll be ok for a while. Thanks for the reply

 

[Mickeymoo]

My friend dries her cobs feathers with a hairdryer. Would he let you do that?

This is what puts me off showing over winter. I would like to try and qualify for Olympia as our old cob will be 25 in 2012, but the thought of clipping and bathing in the cold puts me off.

Good luck at the show.

 

[CrazyMare]

Yes, I have always washed legs, manes & tails for hunting in winter. I use warm water, and towel dry well. Either hair dryer or lunge dry. In VERY cold weather, I have set up the propane heater in the wash box (safe distance away) and thats made the box very warm and helped dry off.

 

[GrumpyMare]

He may let me use a hair dryer (he's new), He's pretty damn bombproof, though we have no powerpoints up at the yard, so unless I can fit him in the kitchen I can't see it working I'll probs towel dry as best I can (he's fab with having his legs faffed with) then lunge him dry as the above poster sugested Obviously I won't do this in horrifically cold weather, but at the mo it's not too bad.