[PurpleHorse]

I've got a Clydesdale with lots of feathers and this is my first fall/winter with her.

She lives out 24/7 and some parts of her field get pretty muddy, including the gate area. So it's impossible for her to completely avoid the mud 😝

Which got me wondering what to do with her feathers. Do I leave them and just brush them out daily? Or do I clip them right off or maybe even just make them shorter?

I want to do whatever would be best for her legs over the wet winter season.

 

[LoriF]

If you don't mind cutting them, it would probably make it easier to maintain and keep her legs healthy. Less hair = less work. There are things you can do to maintain the long hair on the legs and try to prevent fungal or bacterial issues, it's just one more thing that you have to pay attention to.

 

[jaydee]

You'll find it a lot easier to avoid mud fever/scratches and mites if you clip the feather in winter
Managing feathered legs in muddy conditions is very high maintenance so unless you really want them there they aren't worth having