Getting winter coat out???

[Biggerside Benwell]

Ben is living out and has since I got him in December hence is quite wooly. Not really casting yet dispite the others all starting in various amounts. Is the only option to satble and rug him? Taking him to the spring show which is in 3 weeks time, help???

Could be a good excuse for rug shopping though which I love as I have nothing small enough!!! ;D

Forgot to say he is 2.

[Anna]

Most.of.ours.have.wintered.out.and.are.in.full.winter.bloom.although.in.various.states.of.casting.it

Don't.worry.too.much.about.the.winter.wool;.we.show.in.full.winter.woolies.most.years.and.its.never.affected.our.results.yet..

A.judge.will.not.bother.with.that.and.you.can.still.get.a.good.shine.on.a.winter.coat..Try.to.fit.in.a.couple.of.good.baths.the.week/
week.and.a.half.before.the.show.just.to.get.to.the.bottom.of.the.winter.grime.

The.best.thing.you.can.do.if.the.coat.has.started.to.shift.at.all.is.get.a.coat.scraper.(its.like.a.metal.strip.with.rubber.handles.you.can.fold.back.on.itself.They.cost.about.£2.50).and.go.through.the.coat.with.it.every.day.or.so.
It.just.removes.the.dead.hair.and.helps.get.it.out.

Pop.a.little.sheet.on.the.night/2or3.nights.before.the.show.and.that.will.make.the.coat.just.lie.flatter.so.its.less.of.a.fuzz.ball.look.and.thats.about.it.

Honestly.tho,.don't.worry.about.a.winter.coat.especially.at.breed.shows.they.see.through.it.all.

[DalesLady]

Anna is right, nothing to add there!

[PonyGirl]

Dot....(I mean Anna) is right. I use a coat scraper on the equines here. With so many you just can't possibly get it all done.

[SuzieP]

Looking forward to meeting you at last, Kristy - will look out for you at the Spring Show.

[dollylanedales]

Folly will be at the Spring show in her winter woolies - she has lived up on the edge of a moor all winter, so she has got some layers of coat on. The others have started to moult, but they are rugged up, Folly hasn't, so will obviously be going to the show in her winter coat. I will not be doing anything special to flatten it - the judge will see her for what she is. A Dales pony who lives as a Dales pony should - on a hillside unrugged. I will obviously clean her very muddy tail and legs before she goes!!! I am not expecting great things from her as its her first ever show, but the experience of being in the ring will be good for her.

[greydales]

I've always used the metal shedding blade to remove loose coat and found it the best of all the various gadgets you can buy! Mine are shedding dreadfully at the mo and my yard is full of hair

[DalesLady]

Maria will ba another hairy coated pony there too! SHe still looks shiny though and has the most gorgeous dapples!

[Debbie]

Blossom must be the only 'sensitive' one of the bunch. I tried using the regular metal shedding blade (and I'm extremely careful with it) She dipped her back like a tb and turned round with huge eyes. I tried it on her haunches even lighter....no avail. She didn't want that metal thing anywhere near her!

I've ended up using her rubber jelly scrubby instead. The bigger nubs do a fantastic job of getting the fur loosened.

[loopylou]

I gave (well OH did) Mags a really good bath on Sunday (which was her first bath ever) and this has seem to help get rid of a huge amount of her coat. Still amazing how much she still has, LOL.

[Biggerside Benwell]

Thanks guy, I shall keep on with the shedding blade then! Will be nice to meet you to Sue, I very excited about the show already :jump:

[harleydales]

Harley loves the metal thing. He also likes being brushed with a metal curry comb - on his hairy bits only!!!! Apollo detests it.