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Dr. Lowder:

I've had a 15hh Irish Draught since he was four. He was fully clipped out when we first had him then as the hair started to grow back lumps of grease appeared on the back of his knees. We were told that this is common in heavy breeds, but trying to clip him is a nightmare as he is worried about the clippers pulling at the grease. We have tried to wash it this keeps it down for a while but the skin then gets dry and splits. which becomes very sore.

I show him but because of this grease clipping his legs is nearlly impossible. I've tried to take my time doing things step by step he has improved because I can now clip the body and back legs, but last time I treid to clip him he had a double sedative chiffany to stop him running forwards and away and a twitch and he only just let me clip the legs!



Any suggestions are more than welcome, maybe a new product on the market??? Because of the sheer size and strenght of my horse I'm worried it will soon become too dangerous to clip his legs he is very laid back which seems such a shame he has this affliction and he is used on a riding school for complete beginers. I'm the only person who deals with trying to do something with his legs.


Hello:

The first thing as I see it is that your horse is going to have long hair on his legs and you should just become to like it. That is part of being a draft horse.

Second, I would have my vet check his legs to make sure he does not have some disease process going there. Frequently, draft breeds with long hair (called feathers) on their legs develop a parasitic (mite) infection that can cause their legs to become very sensitive.

In addition, there is also a disease process called greasy heel that is common in drafts.

Thanks,
Dr. Lowder