Clipping Questions

[HollyWoozle]

My mum is about to buy a new horse and he is trace clipped. We have never owned a clipped horse before and I am also thinking that Belle would benefit from it too, though we are only really happy hackers (well, I intend to have/am having one 45 min lesson a week in the winter if the weather is acceptable) so we wouldn't need much taking off. I would prefer not to clip and have kept Belle well rugged, though she is still getting a bit fluffy and gets quite warm in our lessons. Both horses live out 24/7.

Do you all clip your own horses or do any of you pay for someone else to do it? We have never clipped before, don't own any clippers and would have no idea where to start. Seeing as we wouldn't need much taking off them, I was wondering how much it generally costs to have someone to come and clip for you. I know my instructor does it so I'm sure she would give us a good deal.

Do you also have any idea how often it would need to be done, bearing in mind we're not doing much? (I appreciate that this probably varies a lot from horse to horse, I just have no clue)! How long does it take each time?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

PS. If anyone wants to come and try clipping Belle, who sometimes doesn't even like brushes, they're welcome to have a go... it could prove to be entertaining... or tragic.

 

[Ashf]

My advice to you is to let the hair grow on the new horse and then see how it copes with the regime you have. I wrote a clipping guide a few years ago here. It might help you figure what works best. If you do decide to clip, then usually every 6 weeks until mid Jan and then that is it.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Thanks Ashf, that guide is really helpful.

 

[Ashf]

No problem, It was a couple of years since I wrote that as iit took a bit of research to put it together. I'm glad I just re read it myself. My daughter (ponyfeet10) clips horses and I've got a few other contacts as well but It would depend on the distance to whether they could help you.