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Post by zeldalithgow on May 13, 2015 19:25:04 GMT -1
We want to thin out and shorten Bens feather, it is very thick and beginning to trail on the ground how on earth do we do it without making him look silly or taking it all off - I wondered if a solo comb would work
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Post by harveydales on May 14, 2015 4:45:13 GMT -1
I've never trimmed feathers but a solo comb might work. Certainly worth trying.
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Post by dalesnfellfan on May 14, 2015 7:05:21 GMT -1
I used to use a solo type comb on Spuds feather as they used to drag on the ground and form muddy dreadlocks in winter. They were also incredibly thick so I used to start with the scissors but cut upwards with the scissors vertical like a hairdresser cutting a fringe to look natural, this is especially useful for thinning the underneath. Then when I'd shortened and thinned them quite a lot I used the solo comb to finish off and give a really natural look.
Connie came to me with feathers that had just been hacked off and looked awful, but 10 weeks on they've now grown and are starting to look a lot more natural so don't worry too much if you don't quite get the required look, they grow pretty quickly.
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Post by dalesnfellfan on May 14, 2015 7:12:07 GMT -1
On the subject of feathers, Ems feather on her hind leg where it was shaved off for her op last year, has grown back really frizzy and curly, it's getting a bit less frizzy as it gets longer and I've been combing it out and putting conditioner on it, but its still very course, the feather on her other legs is really silky.
Has anyone else had experience of this? I'm hoping it will eventually grow silky again, good job I don't show her.
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Post by colmworthdales on May 14, 2015 10:08:24 GMT -1
I have never tried to thin their feathers but my mares do not get such thick feather as many geldings. I find when they are ridden the hair is worn off to a sensible length by the tarmac and vegetation they go through.
Would not worry too much about keeping all the mud dreadlocks off their ankles in winter - all helps to protect the skin underneath from damage.
In their spring moult I find mine lose quite a lot of feather hair, and also the extra thick mane hair and quite a lot from the tops of their tail which obviously must just be grown for winter protection. Nature is great!
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Post by zeldalithgow on May 14, 2015 12:03:36 GMT -1
Thanks Andrea that's really helpfull  Ben isn't a Dales he's a wee chunky cob with very thick feather, I have to put "socks" on him for farrier visits as he has so much hair lol. His feather has got so long that he is begining to stand on it Ben  |
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Post by colmworthdales on May 14, 2015 14:51:54 GMT -1
Wow - tremendous feather I agree. Maybe you could look on a page relating to Traditional Cobs and/or Shire Horses and see what they do? Definitely a lot more feather there than your 'ordinary' Dales!
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Post by harveydales on May 15, 2015 4:35:51 GMT -1
Wow, amazing feathers! I can see why you have a problem with the farrier!
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Post by valerie n scout on May 16, 2015 6:44:12 GMT -1
He's got feather like Sorout, I've clipped his feathers off before, they grow back
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