Clipping etiquette: leaving legs on when they're unruly

[Gypley]

As a rule, when I clip I generally take everything off except legs and half a head, however, I'm hoping the young lad will be kept in work next winter so would like to keep him smart (he's looking somewhat mud ridden meets fluffy meets is that actually a horse under there , at the moment) over the winter. He's a shire X with fine(ish) minimal feather (for a shire) but the straggly hairs seem to continue all the way up the back of his legs. In the summer I trim his feathers off the old fashion way with comb and scissors, which when you keep ontop of it isn't too taxing. But what do I do come winter? There too much to trim with scissors, but it's too long at the fornt to clipper the back. What's correct clipping etiquette in this situation ?

 

[Pigeon]

I always lop everything off

 

[AdorableAlice]

off with the lot, I have one you can come and practice on, blooming great furry Shire yak.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Whole lot off. I have two set of clippers heavy duty for body and medium/light for legs and faces.

 

[Allover]

If your horse will be having daily turn out then I would leave on legs and a half head. I see no point other than aesthetics to whip the whole lot off unless he is competing to a decent level. The hair on legs/ears and around eyes offer protection from mud and cold and leaving the hair in the ears will help come spring with the little flies that can irritate clipped ears.

 

[Boxers]

My horse has a full clip but leave the legs on, however clip down the back of the front leg from elbow to fetlock and take off feather (not much on my horse) on fetlock and heel.

 

[Sprig]

With my hairy horse I left legs on but did the back of the legs lightly and feathers with a combination of comb and scissors (feathers) and clippers, in combination with comb and just holding clippers away from the leg to get those long and untidy wisps hairs. It was pretty successful and not hard at all.

 

[Billy the kid]

i also have legs and head on. (would be half head, but he is scared so just left head on)

I trim feathers and long hairs with scissors and comb. I have to do the long leg hairs by hand and not with clippers as horse is very scared of clippers and wouldnt let me near his legs with them. Its not that bad to do though.

 

[ihatework]

If I owned a big chunky hairy beast then (on the proviso they were ok to clip) the whole lot would come off! Pure and simple vanity I will freely admit!