Clip and rug, or not clip and naked?

benson21

benson21

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Donovan is a welsh sec b, so gets a substantial coat in the winter. Last year he had a belly clip as he was being ridden regularly and was getting quite sweaty. This year he is not being ridden as rider is now too big for him, but he is regularly being lunged or free schooled. I know if I clip him he will need a rug, but if I left him unclipped, would he still need a rug?
 
I have an elderly and now retired sec B who was always a wuss in work, clipped and rugged up to the nines. Her first retired winter was last year, she grew a tremendous coat and was as happy as larry.
 
Oh nothing wrong with popping a rug in in the worst of weather at all - I'm all for that.

But as he's not in work, he doesn't need clipping.
 
Iv got a sec D and she's unrugged all year, although if I think it's going to be truley awful out (howling wind & rain) I will out a sheet on her just to keep the worst off.
 
There were just 2 days last winter that I took a sheet and some hay out, the rest of the time she was naked but they did have good tree and hedge shelter in the field. I think without that I'd have put a lightweight on her for a good part of the time.
 
We dont have a great deal of shelter in the field, and to be honest, once the weather sets in and gets really nasty, they are kept in. I have got a thin sheet but its not that waterproof, the other rugs I have are from last year when he was clipped so all quite thick. I guess I am rug shopping at The Fayre Oaks sale next week then!! Hurray!!!
 
I find the very thin rain sheets are not much use in really foul weather, they flatten a thick coat and the pony actually gets colder with one on than without as I found with my natives they either need a rug with some fill or nothing at all.
 
be positive said:
I find the very thin rain sheets are not much use in really foul weather, they flatten a thick coat and the pony actually gets colder with one on than without as I found with my natives they either need a rug with some fill or nothing at all.
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I agree 100%. Always use something with a bit of fill.
 
benson21 said:
Ok, so even in the howling wind and rain (if they are out!)...still unrugged or just a thin sheet to keep a bit dry?
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Horses are brilliant at regulating their own temperature it is us unfortunately that upset the balance.

In my opinion if you start with no rug carry on he'll produce a wonderful coat (even if it's not to our liking) and he'll fluff up when it's cold if you then put a a rug on it will flatten the coat and stop what he naturally wants to do.
 
My welsh d is not ridden much in the winter and lives out so I don't clip him and only put a light weight rug on if very wet. Seems a bit unfair to clip him if he is only ridden occasionally.
 
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