Advice Needed (Please) (Poll at Bottom)

[Gentle_Warrior]

H is getting his winter coat through and is malting his summer coat out.

Hacked him out today and he was dripping in sweat, I hosed him off as he looked so uncomfortable, although I was not sure whether to as it is not boiling hot out there but he seemed pleased I had.

He lives out 24/7 no matter what the weather.
He is a big cob cross, see below

Do you think think I will be ok to give him a full clip (I always leave legs on and half face)? My thinking is that then by the time winter comes his coat will be about right and fur up nicely.

If temp drops will put light weight on him, but at the mo he would be clipped and naked with the current weather. And this may seem cruel but if he was to be a little chilly woud not do him any harm weight wise !!!

What do you think??

This is him, earlier this year !!

 

[jesterfaerie]

I do think you should clip him if he is becoming very sweaty in lightish work, and is very uncomfortable.
If you think he would benifit from it then do it

 

[Paint it Lucky]

I think it would be fine to clip him now, though i do think it will start to get quite cold soon so be prepared for it! He looks a hardy type so should cope fine.

Also: 'moulting'!

 

[rara007]

How mush work does he get a week? Light work daily then yes worth it, but if it is only weekly then i wouldn'nt be so sure maybe a trace or blanket clip would be better

 

[Persephone]

Does it affect the continued growth if they have already started throwing their coat? Someone on here must know. I know you can really mess up the summer coat if you clip too late. Not sure if it works the other way round.

 

[spider]

Maybe just do a bib and belly to start with. It is quite cool at night. A cob that has been clipped out at our yard is wearing a rug at night. If you hav'nt had him for a winter yet you don't know how hot/cold he's going to be and it's easy to take more off but you can't stick it back on.

 

[Smash]

I do a trace or blanket clip - certainly not a full or hunter until you know how he fares in the colder weather.

 

[Shilasdair]

My understanding is that when the new coat is coming through, the pointed hair ends start to appear through the skin. If you clip before the coat is fully in, you clip the shiney pointy ends off, leaving a duller coat.
I'd probably wait til I clipped or clip but rug him if it's raining...as he won't be as waterproof without his top hairs.
Either way, I'm sure he'll be fine!
S

 

[ThomasTank]

I was going to say a bib and belly as someone said above.

 

[Selkie]

I would just do bib and belly and see how it goes.