Advice re rugging, please?

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domane

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I have a Clydie/Welsh cob X who is having a bib clip on Saturday. I'd planned not to clip and not to rug this winter but I found my riding mojo again (after three years!) and so I have upped my riding frequency so I really feel that Jack will benefit from having a little hair removed. His coat is coming through brilliantly but I wondered whether I should rug him straightaway, or whether waiting until it's a bit colder will do.... I've never had a clipped horse before so I'm a rookie to all this (not sure how I've managed that in 6 years but there you go!) Also.... would you put him in just a rain sheet, or a LW or a MW. I'm not having a neck cover as he has a bit of a phobia of rugs anyway...

Thanks :)
 
I think its just a case of trial and error tbh.
I would rainsheet him and if he feels a bit cold move up to the LW. Hes not having alot of hair removed so if hes normally naked in the winter he shouldn't need much rugging with just a bib clip, just play it by ear :)
 
If it's only a bib clip then you may not need to rug at all! If he is cold and you do decide to rug, you need to get one with some fill, as the no fill ones prevent the coat from 'fluffing up' and can in fact make the horse colder :rolleyes: and are really only useful for mild rainy weather.

If he is used to being out naked then I would expect a lw to be enough, but you will have to judge for yourself how he is coping. :) I have the opposite 'problem' this year as my horse is injured and not clipped (usually clipped right out). I am finding it really difficult to not over-rug!
 
My New Forest has a neck & belly clip & I only rug her when its really foul and / or cold. I'd rather feed her a little extra to keep warm than have her rugged and on reduced rations (she has a tendency to be on the chubby side if I'm not careful). If she is rugged then its only a lightweight with 40g fill.
 
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If it's just a bib clip he'll be fine un-rugged or if he's anything like our shire x you may just need a no fill turnout to keep him clean for riding! Nothing more than that though xx
 
I have an unclipped Welshie who is used to pretty much 24/7 turnout year round and the new yard I'm at decided to rug him for me!! I couldn't get my head round the fact an unclipped native breed would need rugging yet... if at all!

Mind you, if I had done a bib clip on him I'd probably put a rain sheet on at night.
 
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