Clipping during summer - pros? cons?

Hormonal Filly

Hormonal Filly

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My 14.2 has a lot of work ahead, funride next weekend and camp the week after followed by more funrides throughout the year and hopefully lots of fun!

He has quite a thick summer coat and has always got sweaty fast despite being fit. I always keep his feathers clipped out but this year his summer coat has (already nearly completely) come through thicker than ever.

I am tempted to clip him out again and keep him clipped out all summer. He looks rather smart and think he'll feel better.

He usually lives out naked during the summer but obviously if hes clipped i'd need to keep a eye on the weather, keep him rugged at night? fly rug? I go up the yard 2/3 times a day so its no trouble but we do have a 10 day holiday booked in a few months.

Does anyone else clip out all summer, how do you manage it?

Thanks!
 
I clip in summer more than winter.
Her summer coat is thicker than some horses winter coats and although she looks like a yak in winter she does well in the cold, not so much in summer where she's a dripping mess.

I usually just trace clip as that's sufficient, the one time I blanket clipped her she got sunburn and I had to emergency buy a uv fly rug so if he's pink skinned maybe consider that (not sure if he'll be out in the day, have shelter etc which will also play a part)

I can't say her coat ever seems damaged by it and she's happier and in return so am I as she's not so lifeless as she's too hot.

Eta - by doing a trace clip I don't find I have to rug either, although she does run warm and rarely wears a rug full stop. If I took it all off I imagine she'd need at least a rain sheet when we have those freak days where the weather does a u-turn.
 
The odd one with a coarse summer coat in decent work I would.

The main thing to be aware of is sunburn - during sunny spells they are far more prone to it.

Anything I had close clipped would generally be on an in during the day out overnight routine.

One rug I really rate is the Aussie amigo allrounder, it acts like a fly, uv combo and is slightly water repellent

Rigging for warmth would be completely horse dependant
 
I clip all year round, mine are in during the day in summer but if it's still bright sun they will wear a fly rug if needs be.
 
Yep me too - we clip the cob all year round. I've only had a problem with sunburn the the first 2 or 3 days after clipping so use a UV protective fly rug if I have to (or just sun cream on the white bits - he's piebald). He does have an ultra light rain sheet as I'm taking off his waterprooofing. And he stables at night.
 
I clip out winter coats to save myself from all that hair! I might do the same, like yours my mare is really hot and has that horrible coarse cobby coat! She is naturally a very hot mare, since her full clip on Sunday (everything came off) and this change in the weather she is still only in a 100g lightweight over night (0g rainsheet daytime whilst rain and sleet showers are forecast till the weekend) and she is roasting in the lightweight come morning even with a frost on the ground this morning!
 
Yes. First summer of ownership I was indecisive, now as soon as the current cold snap ends he'll be having a trace or chaser clip. Don't do full so no need to worry about rugging.
Makes a huge difference, he has so much more energy
 
Be careful removing fly rugs from a clipped horse, the static is enough to knock you off your feet! I actually have to use the end of a wooden broom to slide them off :rolleyes:
 
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