Tis the season of the OTTB getting rubs from existing. I'm trying to just close my eyes until we're past the worst of it, but until then, any tips for the sensitive horse? Products to put on and make things better? Help a sister (/gelding princess) out!
I spray detangler on Tristan's shoulders before I put his blanket back on. My theory is that it will help make his hair slick and less likely to rub. He has never gotten a rub, but he's also not a terribly sensitive horse in that regard, so it's not a terribly scientific outcome.
Dino gets weird rubs when he is in a shedding phase or when I clip him in the winter.. the hair gets brittle and he gets prone to blanket/spur rubs. MTG is a good one to try, and for spur rubs I LOVE Bickmore Gall Salve!! http://www.bickmore.com/products/equine-care/gall-salve.html My friend got a tip on it from some serious distance trail riders, and it is the shit. It looks weird and green, but it stays on and protects the skin while it heals so that the rubs don't get any worse, and won't come off like other creams. It's made to allow horses with harness or girth rubs to keep working without making the rubs/sores worse and allowing them to heal. GOOD STUFF.
My TB is every bit the delicate flower that Courage is. I'm closing my eyes, pretending I see nothing, and hoping spring cures all. Although I did treat his lovely case of scratches. Sigh.
Annie is a wooly mammoth but I used to like to make concoctions for Houston and really liked to rub witch hazel on him. There are also a few coat moisturizers that work well- the one I got redheadlins for secret Santa is good but I only use it after I ride. I have one my Carr &Martin I believe it is that you can spray on before and doesn't make them slick. I use it on Annie all the time.
Rico used to get spur rubs that looked like blanket rubs, but only in winter since the hair was courser from his clip (he wasn't lazier in winter lol). I'd spray show sheen on the hair before riding and it definitely made a difference.
Murray looks like an absolute garbage dump of rubs right now. He's down to hide on his shoulders. I switched out of his SmartPak blanket and we're only in the Schneiders now, which seems to have a lining that is smoother.
But basically I have nothing that will fix it and will continue to read this post like crazy.
I haven't tried this but Shannon Kinsley (Lauren Kiffer's groom) wrote an article on blanket rubs and she suggests wiping down their coat with witch hazel followed by a coat moisturizer. Then on specific spots using olive oil cream. If you try it let me know if it works.
Bobby was starting to get rubs from his polo breastplate so I fleeced the shit out of that thing. And then he was like, but I love rubs, so he decided it was time to get some blanket rubs too. I hid that blanket in my trailer. Come at me, bro. I will beat you at your own rub game!
I have to google the name, but when I find it I will text you. I use this oil from TSC, that I was suggested by also googling "rubs" and found a COTH feed. Tried it, love it. It works. I squirt the oil all over, yes all over, and let it sit about 5 minutes. then I take a soft cloth and rub it in circular motions until its all rubbed in. Its like lotion for horses. Then, I layer a soft fleece blanket with his regular, just to maximize the oil use and BOOM, soft skin, soft clipped coat= minimal rubs. Its magical. I've been using it all season and he's just now getting very mild shoulder rubs.
Shedding hasn't started yet, so our rubs are miraculously few right now. However, we did end up with rubs that are growing back scarred white hair on his legs from the boots protecting his splint. Dammit.
Haha I love your diagram! I used to ride a long-bodied saddlebred who only held up his blankets with shoulders. He would get lots of shoulder rubs. The best thing for us was good ol' ShowSheen and a shoulder guard.
Gahhhh. Pearl just started getting a blanket rub on her shoulders. That problem may soon be solved by her turnout "buddies" tearing that particular blanket to shreds... I have some Smartpak thing that looks like deodorant that I'm trying because, well, I had it already.
I spray detangler on Tristan's shoulders before I put his blanket back on. My theory is that it will help make his hair slick and less likely to rub. He has never gotten a rub, but he's also not a terribly sensitive horse in that regard, so it's not a terribly scientific outcome.
ReplyDeleteWhen Fiction used to get rubs I continuously treated it with MTG. That was the only thing that helped out of EVERYTHING that I tried.
ReplyDeleteI second the MTG, but I really wish it smelled better!
ReplyDeleteI don't want my blankets to smell like mtg unless I absolutely have no other options.
DeleteDino gets weird rubs when he is in a shedding phase or when I clip him in the winter.. the hair gets brittle and he gets prone to blanket/spur rubs. MTG is a good one to try, and for spur rubs I LOVE Bickmore Gall Salve!! http://www.bickmore.com/products/equine-care/gall-salve.html My friend got a tip on it from some serious distance trail riders, and it is the shit. It looks weird and green, but it stays on and protects the skin while it heals so that the rubs don't get any worse, and won't come off like other creams. It's made to allow horses with harness or girth rubs to keep working without making the rubs/sores worse and allowing them to heal. GOOD STUFF.
ReplyDeleteMy TB is every bit the delicate flower that Courage is. I'm closing my eyes, pretending I see nothing, and hoping spring cures all. Although I did treat his lovely case of scratches. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteLaser sheen + MTG
ReplyDeleteAnnie is a wooly mammoth but I used to like to make concoctions for Houston and really liked to rub witch hazel on him. There are also a few coat moisturizers that work well- the one I got redheadlins for secret Santa is good but I only use it after I ride. I have one my Carr &Martin I believe it is that you can spray on before and doesn't make them slick. I use it on Annie all the time.
ReplyDeleteRico used to get spur rubs that looked like blanket rubs, but only in winter since the hair was courser from his clip (he wasn't lazier in winter lol). I'd spray show sheen on the hair before riding and it definitely made a difference.
ReplyDeleteSecond the show sheen!!
DeleteMurray looks like an absolute garbage dump of rubs right now. He's down to hide on his shoulders. I switched out of his SmartPak blanket and we're only in the Schneiders now, which seems to have a lining that is smoother.
ReplyDeleteBut basically I have nothing that will fix it and will continue to read this post like crazy.
We actually don't have blanket rubs right now (/yet), which is amazing.
DeleteMan, SmartPak blankets fit Pig so terribly that they will basically remove the points of his shoulders.
DeleteHa! And smartpak blankets are our magic bullet that doesn't rub. Horses are weird.
DeleteI haven't tried this but Shannon Kinsley (Lauren Kiffer's groom) wrote an article on blanket rubs and she suggests wiping down their coat with witch hazel followed by a coat moisturizer. Then on specific spots using olive oil cream. If you try it let me know if it works.
ReplyDeleteThere is a gal I follow on instagram who uses fleece things on her reins where they rub the neck! I thought it was brilliant!
ReplyDeletehm we definitely have some rubbing issues going on - must try show sheen and mtg now!
ReplyDeleteYes! Show Sheen :)
DeleteBobby was starting to get rubs from his polo breastplate so I fleeced the shit out of that thing. And then he was like, but I love rubs, so he decided it was time to get some blanket rubs too. I hid that blanket in my trailer. Come at me, bro. I will beat you at your own rub game!
ReplyDeleteI saw that!! Did you just use a halter fleece?
DeleteI have to google the name, but when I find it I will text you. I use this oil from TSC, that I was suggested by also googling "rubs" and found a COTH feed. Tried it, love it. It works. I squirt the oil all over, yes all over, and let it sit about 5 minutes. then I take a soft cloth and rub it in circular motions until its all rubbed in. Its like lotion for horses. Then, I layer a soft fleece blanket with his regular, just to maximize the oil use and BOOM, soft skin, soft clipped coat= minimal rubs. Its magical. I've been using it all season and he's just now getting very mild shoulder rubs.
ReplyDeleteShedding hasn't started yet, so our rubs are miraculously few right now. However, we did end up with rubs that are growing back scarred white hair on his legs from the boots protecting his splint. Dammit.
ReplyDeleteSheepskin on the straps that rub ... if you can't stand the mtg smell, I have found the Herbal Horse Healthy Hair stuff works pretty well.
ReplyDeleteSheepskin body suit?
ReplyDeleteHaha I love your diagram! I used to ride a long-bodied saddlebred who only held up his blankets with shoulders. He would get lots of shoulder rubs. The best thing for us was good ol' ShowSheen and a shoulder guard.
ReplyDeleteI don't clip and use show sheen or cowboy magic on spots that tend to get rubbed...is blanket season over yet?
ReplyDeleteGahhhh. Pearl just started getting a blanket rub on her shoulders. That problem may soon be solved by her turnout "buddies" tearing that particular blanket to shreds... I have some Smartpak thing that looks like deodorant that I'm trying because, well, I had it already.
ReplyDelete