Worn a hole in my horse eep

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FfionWinnie

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Any suggestions. Only had him 5 weeks and he wasn't in a lot of work prior to me getting him. Fine coated. I've seen the belly band things but at over 100 quid I'm not entirely keen on them as my instructor thinks it probably won't happen next year when he's been in my routine etc and I suspect they would rub him in other places anyway.

I'm going to ride him in my competing boots from now on which have less rubby bits (for him, I'll probably be blistered useless as they aren't broken in!) on them I think. Don't wear spurs. Any other ideas. Wondered about wearing a soft sock on top of my boots?!
 
Is he clipped?

I have used talcum powder before, I agree that he should harden up a little but some just mark easily. My daughters horse has rubs on her elbow where her toe occasionly rubs!
 
He was clipped when I got him. If I clip him I will only take his neck out as he's not very hairy anyway.

His blinking mane has fallen out too (have now removed neck part!). I'm perhaps not trained in warmblood care. This wouldn't happen to a cob!

I'll try the talc was also wondering about putting saddle soap (its animal fat based!) on him.
 
similar happens to my Arabs although not with my boots I ride in mountain horse high riders but my friend has the ariat ones and they made both my horses bleed on one occasion, but on closer inspection she has very small spur rests on her boots which mine don't so we concluded this was the issue but it's not happened since as she was so mortified when it happened she probably rides being very aware of it.

I use the gold label wonder gel for bald spots and most other skin problems and it really does help the hair grow back and just generally speeds up healing especially for sensitive fine types which mine are, in regards to rubbed manes I gave up on neck rugs many years ago now they just don't work with fine manes.
 
Thanks, it is ariat boots I'm wearing but I've just looked at my treadstep comp boots and they also have spur rests so I don't think they will be any better.

I've been aware of it for several weeks but it's got worse after a 3 day clinic this week despite me being conscious not to be nagging with my legs so I need to do something. Grassmeres don't have them so will wear them today but don't really like jumping in them.
 
yeah been there with the Ariat spur rests :o some just mark so easily. The last one I had like this I had the most plain boots possible - even short boots and soft chaps would rub it. Also keep them ultra clean so there is no grease to rub and pull the hair.
You see some pros riding with a long towel underneath the saddle, not sure how well that works or how annoying it would be.

thanks for helping chip away at my big horse envy :D tough haired cobs ftw!
 
I can't ride mine in my long Ariats even with the spur rests sawn off and carefully sanded flat. I have boots which are fine, so stick to those.

Welcome to the world of having a fine skinned horse FW. :D You may soon be spending your money on dead sheep accessories. ;)
 
a friend of mine cut the spur rests off her boots with a stanley knife... :wink3:

oh, x posted with faracat. Obv her horse wasn't as sensitive as yours then! :lol:
 
OH's horse rubbed when it was coat change time. He was fine though with a big bath towel under the saddle, covering where OH's legs went. It was not really annoying, but no good for competition though!

His was rubbed from the seam in the Mountain Horse stable boots. Better in his competition get up of smooth gaiters.
 
FfionWinnie said:
He was clipped when I got him. If I clip him I will only take his neck out as he's not very hairy anyway.

His blinking mane has fallen out too (have now removed neck part!). I'm perhaps not trained in warmblood care. This wouldn't happen to a cob!

I'll try the talc was also wondering about putting saddle soap (its animal fat based!) on him.
Click to expand...


I did the change in the other direction. It's much easier :)


I would try some silicon based show shine or mane and tail spray.
 
Been through this myself with my sensitive WB (though with him it only happens when his coat is changing!).

Recommend the towel suggestion and making sure you keep your boots very very clean - any dirt/sweat on them seems to agggrevate the condition.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. I had some coat spray so I used that today and I don't think it looks any worse. Then went to the tack shop on the way home for different boots but while there realised it can't be the spur rest because it's covered by my gaiters. The gaiters have a really stupid bit at the bottom which I now think is the culprit so have bought some suede gaiters with less seams and knobbly bits to see if that makes a difference.

As for changing for a WB back to a cob, I am having the most fun I think I've ever had with my ginormous WB so I'm afraid not - I'm sticking with him! Don't tell the cob haters or this information could be used against cobs everywhere!

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Yeah the culprit could be a seam that's quite proud or just about anything that isn't just 'right'. Sigh...

I wouldn't swap my sensitive, thin skinned one either. :D
 
If he has very sensitive skin this could become the bane of your life :p

The belly bands are quite useful and they do work. They certainly never rubbed any of the horses I worked with, but they did stop sensitive skin being rubbed by spurs or boots. However, I do think they look hideous, so if you can find a way round them it's definitely worth a shot! Although, obviously, the horse's comfort is everything so if they're the only thing that work...

I like the idea of trying socks over your boots. I don't know if it would work, but surely it's worth a try since it's something you can do without spending any money. Would they stay up though, is my one thought, or would they slip up or down?
 
Coat conditioner definitely helps with the mane rubbing, I tend to make sure I put a generous dose on both the mane and the inside of the neck cover. I think it would be worth a go with the coat rubbing on the sides as well as it will help reduce the friction. Definitely recommend Wonder Gel for putting on it to help the hair grow back as well.
 
I have given up with necks on rugs for precisely this reason.

Have also had issues at coat changing time with the binding on my saddle cloth rubbing away coat, so now have a bottle of coat shine purely for this purpose, it does really help!
 
I've already chucked the neck which he may not thank me for as he's living out in Scotland having been stabled all the time I imagine for the last many years! (Actually he does like living out and especiallt adlib hay, he eats twice as much as any cob!!)

I've already got everything possible dead sheep on him so it's just the side problem.

How does the towel work then under the saddle and just hanging down each side or is it secured some how underneath?
 
Yeah don't underestimate the eating capabilities of a warmblood. Mine is a sneaky git and has realised if people don't push his neighbours hay down he can eat it through the bars. I got glared at when I pushed it away from him.

The only issue I have with mine on thin skin is I need to use a girth that has sheepskin on it as otherwise he gets odd lumps on his belly with a normal girth. No issues otherwise.
 
If no open wounds or when they are healed over I use surgical spirit to toughen my mates skin up as she rubs horrendously.
I also use chamois cream on her side to create a slippy surface (cyclist use it)
Once she is used to the routine and skin toughened she doesn't rub as easily but I do have to alter girths etc frequently to prevent same pressure points forming as she will rub if that's the case
 
FfionWinnie said:
I've already chucked the neck which he may not thank me for as he's living out in Scotland having been stabled all the time I imagine for the last many years! (Actually he does like living out and especiallt adlib hay, he eats twice as much as any cob!!)

I've already got everything possible dead sheep on him so it's just the side problem.

How does the towel work then under the saddle and just hanging down each side or is it secured some how underneath?
Click to expand...

Just hangs down each side but your leg holds it in place. Maybe doesn't look neat but does work.
 
When I started using spurs(which coincided with him being clipped) I managed to wear a bald patch on Pie to my absolute disgust with myself. I got a belly bandage which in spite of not looking great prevented any further damage. He seemed to harden up once the hair grew back as he hasn't marked since and the hair remains intact even after clipping. He is, for all his being an Irish bog cross, a delicate little flower and needs a certain amount of padding with fluff. The belly band didn't cause him any rubs or discomfort in itself.
 
Mikado equine have 20% of orders at the moment (code on their fb page) and they sell catago belly bands. Might make it a bit a better price for you.
 
This happens to mine, but only when his clip is starting to grow out?? Try re-clipping?

If you'd rather not re-clip, mine wears sheepskin on his reins (baldy neck) and I wear short boots with no chaps etc as this seems to help.
 
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