Whats the trick to MASSIVE fluffy feathers?

A

Anteres0

Member
Joined
1 June 2008
Messages
23
Visit site
I have recently started to get interested in heavy feathered cobs, and am thinking of showing this summer.... Having only shown Hunters to date, i'm not 100% sure about cob classes. From what I can gather (have stewarded at some of the big shows) the more hair the better, and scissors are all to be thrown away, lol, but how do the feathers get to be made SOOOO huge?? Is there some trick to it? Washing and a bit of back combing perhaps, but there must be some more effective methods than that?
 
We found that using a hair dryer on the feathers always got them nice and fluffy. Not a showing bod though, so others might have better ideas. :)
 
The trick to massive ones is to make sure your horse has them in the first place and then look after them. Pig oil and sulphur is excellent at conditioning them throughout the year and then a good, thorough wash beforehand will fluff them up. Some people swear by the application of chalk dust to keep white ones whiter than white - indeed I have seen horses parading round in a cloud of dust as each footfall results in plumes of chalk-dust flying out!
 
Hahaha, yes I did realise they had to have them there already, it's just the puffing!
I have a super little mini traditional, he has loads of feather but it lies close to his leg and almost seems to curl under his heel. When you brush it up, there is a lot there, it's just getting it to stay puffed out... So is pig oil for when they're at home to protect, not for in the show ring? or is it to stick the chalk too?
 
The pig oil would stick the chalk dust together and probably produce a very unpleasant effect, so the chalk should be put onto already clean and dry legs. I don't know much about hairies, but i do know about white legs. Talc can be good too, just don't put too much on, as above, or there will be little clouds around his legs hehe
 
lol! :)
The pig oil & sulphur keeps them in good condition and helps to prevent mites etc. The chalk goes on very dry clean legs to whiten them :)
Done a bit of showing with mu traditional but not much :) so long as all hair is natural (uncut/pulled/hogged) they should do fine in the ring :) My boy was never puffy legged just very clean and white :) Good luck with the showing :)
 
Yes, lol, don't apply the PO&S WITH the chalk!! Some feathered horses are prone to getting bog burn in muddy conditions (ie, over winter) which is when the hair snaps and breaks off, looking just as if someone has taken a pair of scissors to their feet! This is VERY tiresome!! I used to trim my irish cob mare's feathers up to just below her coronets at the beginning of winter which prevented her getting awful mud dreadlocks in the clay fields we have around here and also it was a little more protection for her feathers. She did look a little odd initially, but it was definitely worth it to keep them in tip-top condition. I found that they gradually grew back down over winter and were touching the ground again by the spring, ready for the show season.
 
Thanks, yea that all makes sense... I've kept mine in a big barn all winter to avoid the dreaded bog burn. Is a bit of a nuisance tho, and i've still worried that the straw might have the same effect if he stands in a wet bit? He's 2 coming 3 and i'm going to break him to drive soon, then hopefully show him in some local stuff to start with and see how he goes. I have another fab shire x cob mare which i'm selling who has loads of feather, i might try the talc / chalk thing for her advert photo's for practice!
 
I have a clydie x mare who has alot of feather right down to the floor, I show her and to get her feather really white and fluffy i use Lincoln ring-o-cide shampoo for the 1st scrub this is really good for the skin as its anit vacterial and anti fungal so good skin means good feather! I then use a purple shampoo for greys and give another scrub with a water brush, then after lots of rinsing i use canter coat whitener spray then gently brush with a hair brush, depending on the weather she stops in on a big clean bed or if its really dry ill turn her out and touch her up n the morning. When i arrive at the show i use chalk down the front of her legs and knees but only use a small amount if any at all in the feather as too much can weigh it down, i usually use a light spray of coat gloss.
Hope this helps!! But most importantly just have fun and enjoy it!! especially all that scrubbing lol ill add a pic of Katie
HPIM0485-1.jpg

In Flying feather mode!!
Katie005.jpg

Can i just add she does not look like this today lol!!! think mud mud and a bit more mud!
 
Another huge thumbs up for the PO and S. I've been using it all winter after seeing the thread on here (Theresa I think), and it's fab. No mud fever, no more mites and fantastic feather, mane and tail, which have all grown really well. My lad came in two nights ago with legs covered in what looked like liquid chocolate - the next morning it had all slid off, and he was as white as snow again.

I apply it every ten days or so, a little goes a long way. sm x
 
What a lovely clyde x mare! :-) And thanks for the tips! I think I better get some of this pig oil & sulpher... does it come already mixed or are they 2 different products? I'll try to add a pic of my shire x mare even though I expect she'll be sold before show season... and once I get my mini traditional in and cleaned up i'll try to get some more of him... :-)
LadyMurrroe5.jpg

This is the Shire x mare...
2yocolcolt.jpg

& this is the mini traditional...photo taken last summer as 2yo, not sure what class he'll go in to, need to do some homework... small native perhaps??
 
They are both lovely! You can buy the pig oil and sulhper already mixed from ebay you can buy it seperate though it is more hassle trying to mix it! Id go for coloured classes and cob classes if they are allowed in un hogged... depends where you show? Whereabouts are you? Pm me if you prefer
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top