Clipping question: re. Hunter clips, and the bit on the back

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Puppy

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I was always taught when you hunter clip to leave a patch on the saddle area so as to stop your horse's back getting cold, but I know not everyone does.

I am going to reclip Star soon as she got very warm today and the saddle patch area got quite damp and grotty. I'm worried it will become counter productive and cause her to chill there. Do you think it is ok to whip the whole lot off?? She's an old girl, but to be fair she is certainly not one to feel the cold.

I am ultra cautious about her back, to a slightly paranoid extent
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as she had some trouble with it years ago. Yet the physio saw her just a matter of weeks ago and said she was all fine there.
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For the same reason she is ridden in polypad so surely this would provide enough protection to the area??

I can't believe I am worrying and pondering on this more than my contract law work which is due for tomorrow.... It is such hard work knowing what to do for the best for her Highness!
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Hi Puppy! I'm sure clipping is much more interesting than contract law LOL. Well, maybe not.

Anyway, I don't usually bother with the saddle patch. It isn't really big enough to keep the horses back warm anyway. However, my (then) new horse got rubbed patches from the (very well fitting) saddle last winter because I had taken all the hair off. So I've left it on this year. I think the patch gives more protection to the horse's back, especially if they are thin skinned.
 
Id rather take all the back hair off thb, you can take a sweaty, grubby numnah home to wash quite easily, but you dont want to be washing the horses back all the time in the cold.
My saddler fits my saddles so that I can use 1/2 pads as well as an underpad too, so am not too fussed about losing an inch of coat : )
 
i always thort leaving a saddle patch was more for protection against rubbing of saddle and general protection etc - its not really big enough for warmth and its the loins that should be kept warm anyway. id say whip it off - u can always slap another numnah on
 
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Hi Puppy! I'm sure clipping is much more interesting than contract law LOL. Well, maybe not.

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LOL! I am so naughty for going riding today when I should have been studying,
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but it was SUCH a beautiful day and we all had a wonderful time!
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I feel so guilty now though....
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Personally I would take it *ALL* off
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LOL! I wish I could whip off every single hair as she gets sooo shaggy, but I must leave her legs and face as she lives out. Her legs are like tree trunks now they are SO hairy!! I think it must be the ID in her makes her grow such a coat. Be is still totally sleek!


Ok, thanks guys for all the replies,
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Much appreciated. I think I shall take it off. The polypad should be enough to stop the (brand new) saddle rubbing. I think she's more likely to get sores from the grottiness and she's not really a "backy" horse as much as I am paranoid about it
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Oh, one more question (I'm such a clipping dunce!
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) how many clips do you tend to get out of your blades before you sharpen them? Because she's got such a thick coat I'm worried I'll get part way through and they'll need doing....
 
I would take it all off. As you said, the polypad will offer protection and saddles fit much better and are far more padded than they were, so that shouldnt be a problem.
My mare actually gets lumps under the saddle from the sweat if I dont take it all off. She never gets rub marks.

My blades usually do 5-6 full clips before I have them sharpened.
 
Take it off for the first clip, then leave a saddle patch the next time. That way you get a nice short haired saddle patch when its colder. I always leave a little strip around the withers though as it seems to prevent rug rubs.
 
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