Clipping a horse in summer

WackyWelsh

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Does anybody clip their horse in summer? Even with his summer coat my gelding still gets very hot and sweaty when I ride and I’ve noticed that on warmer days he’s become quite lethargic and very hard to get going forward and off the leg. I know it’s not the done thing but we’re planning to hog him and take his feathers off anyway so would it be worth just fully clipping him?
 
We had a Police Horse who was clipped year round. Looked smart, also hogged/heels taken off. Apart from the little triangle over his tail you could not tell, until one of the grooms managed to feather it all in so you could not even see the clip there. He still shone, looked FAB.
 
I don't clip my present horse but we used to clip the connie x event pony out all year round as a) he got too hot and b) as a grey he was easier to keep him clean. He always looked super smart too.
 
Yes absolutely. You need to do what is best for the horse. But there is absolutely no reason not to clip in the summer unless you are showing a light coated type. Even then I would rather do what is right for the horse that what works for a beauty competition in any event!
 
Yes clip every 3/4 weeks to keep him happy in the summer. Keeps his coat beautifully and his dapples come out more.
 
Have just done our Appy after asking on here if anyone clipped theirs over summer. Gets too hot when working and competing but typically, now I've done it, the temperature has dropped!
 
You see it a lot out competing these days, people seem to realise it might be better for some horses! I have one I have to do this week!
 
As a side... Just remember if they've lots of white (pink skin).. give a bit of protection from the sun (summer sheet or some sort of fly sheet). Seen people caught out with this and their horse getting sun burnt when the fur is off.
 
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