Clipping for weightloss

[peanutsmumma]

I have a Dartmoor that literally lives off fresh air.
Through summer he is on a track system with my New Forest and they get soaked hay.

Because of all the rain we had, I had to move them off the track and into the middle paddock (grass was knee height) he had a muzzle on but has still managed to balloon!

I'm only managing to ride him once a week at the moment.

I'm thinking of giving him a small clip to help with weight loss (my vet suggested this last year but I felt bad doing it!)

Doesn anyone else clip to help with weightloss?

 

[MuddyMonster]

Yes, have dome so for years. In past years he's had bib/chaser/Irish clip combinations.

I've hunter clipped this year so needed to rug lightly but in all other years he's been clipped & mainly unrugged

 

[Burnttoast]

My New Forest has a chaser clip, no rug. I assume it helps his weight but tbh without a control pony it's hard to tell...

 

[Patterdale]

Yes but take the lot off and thin rug.

They won’t lose weight without some discomfort, which is what many owners struggle with and which is why their horses remain fat (and in resultant discomfort).

He would thank you for it in spring if he could!

My recently bought plump pony is fully clipped, in a 200g rug (but in a very exposed area with no shelter) and on VERY short hay rations. He will hunt on this regime and should enter spring like a whippet with any luck.

 

[Carlosmum]

My New Forest has a chaser clip, no rug. I assume it helps his weight but tbh without a control pony it's hard to tell...

Mine too, but he has a light sheet on when out ( he's a roller) . No rug at night as yet, I check every evening behind his elbow, I figure if that feels cold there, then he might deserve PJs. I will probably clip fully at the end of Feb, to bring his summer coat through early. I hate a hairy moulting pony.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Yes, my mini shetland (not a clod hopping lump) has bib and belly clip, starting by mid September, re done every 4 to 5 weeks throughout winter. Never rugged, still wearing a grazing muzzle as out from 4pm till 7/7.30 am on around 2 acres of foggage.
Longer grass is better as it's much harder to work at.
Pretty perfect weight currently, vet saw her last week and was very complimentary.

So yes, a bib and belly clip will help, as also exercise.

 

[Burnttoast]

Mine too, but he has a light sheet on when out ( he's a roller) . No rug at night as yet, I check every evening behind his elbow, I figure if that feels cold there, then he might deserve PJs. I will probably clip fully at the end of Feb, to bring his summer coat through early. I hate a hairy moulting pony.

My guy's retired so it doesn't matter how dirty he gets (very, sepia now, no longer grey). I put a coolheat on him if we have rain for more than 24 hours as he can be a wimp about getting wet. He's out 24/7 and will he use the shelter when it rains...??? Honestly he's not the brightest.

 

[SantaVera]

Yes I have one hairy cob with a high trace clip and a 50gm rug and a pony unrugged with a bib clip.

 

[Miss_Millie]

I have given my mare a full clip and am under-rugging to aid weight loss. She is not shivering but nor is she toasty warm, she is definitely looking leaner already.

 

[SEL]

I need to clip my native but it was minus 8 last night so she can stay like a little grizzly bear for another week (& that coat is amazing for warming my cold hands in)

 

[meleeka]

Personally i’ve never found clipping works for weight loss. The only thing that’s ever worked for mine is less food (trickle feeding) and more exercise.