Auslander
Well-Known Member
I think you are being very judgemental there.
Lol!! Naughty!!
Clipping the legs!
- Thread starter Wagtail
- Start date
Lol!! Naughty!!
Wagtail
Horse servant
Couldn't resist.
Actually, I think there is a difference between clipping and trimming. Trimming off feathers makes a lit of sense, particularly in muddy conditions.
Actually, I think there is a difference between clipping and trimming. Trimming off feathers makes a lit of sense, particularly in muddy conditions.
rhino
Well-Known Member
Is that a statement of fact, or your opinion? I have never known any horse to be in discomfort with their legs clipped
TigerTail
Well-Known Member
The point about wet soggy legs doesnt make much sense. The purpose of the hair is that the water runs down the hair and is kept away from the skin - so the skin should by dry and warm deep in.
I saw a cob a couple of years ago - whose owner was concerned about this habbit he had of stamping his feet which was progressing to lashing out. He has been clipped so much he basically had folliculitis, massively thick hairs trying to grow through thickened skin which was horribly uncomfortable for the poor thing. All in the name of looking good
I saw a cob a couple of years ago - whose owner was concerned about this habbit he had of stamping his feet which was progressing to lashing out. He has been clipped so much he basically had folliculitis, massively thick hairs trying to grow through thickened skin which was horribly uncomfortable for the poor thing. All in the name of looking good
NinjaPony
Well-Known Member
I can fully understand why you would want to clip off feathers, or trim off the hair so you can see what is going on underneath, but I can't understand fully clipping for example a fine boned show jumpers legs just for the sale of aesthetics. My two are natives so they always keep their legs unclipped, and I think in - temperatures it can't be comfortable having clipped out legs. I would use leg wraps, but I just don't see the need for hairless legs. My arthritic welsh a has leg wraps with hairy legs so he'd probably need a heater without his own fluff!
olderthanshelooks
Well-Known Member
Last year the last clip in Jan for the final clipI took my cobs legs off for the first time. Thought I would give it ago as she never properly loses her winter coat til about August. It was one of the best things I had done was so much easier to keep them clean and to treat the small bit of mud fever she get's.
I always do first clip late september as she get's such a fluffy coat and she finds work hard going in the mild weather if she fet's to hot. So this year I made the decision I was going to do full clip late Sept & again before opening meet. Then when I clip befoe xmas hunting leave the legs on, ready for the colder January weather, then the final clip at end of Jan would be a full clip again.
BUT I only got as far as the September clip coz then I broke both my wrists! So now the cob is only being ridden at the weekends by a friend and the TB is turned away until end of Jan.
And they both live out 24/7
I always do first clip late september as she get's such a fluffy coat and she finds work hard going in the mild weather if she fet's to hot. So this year I made the decision I was going to do full clip late Sept & again before opening meet. Then when I clip befoe xmas hunting leave the legs on, ready for the colder January weather, then the final clip at end of Jan would be a full clip again.
BUT I only got as far as the September clip coz then I broke both my wrists! So now the cob is only being ridden at the weekends by a friend and the TB is turned away until end of Jan.
And they both live out 24/7
Auslander
Well-Known Member
If they have really feathery legs perhaps, but my boy is wet down to skin when he comes in. He only grows feather down the back of his cannon bones/heels - the rest is pretty short and thin.I can't see how they can avoid getting saturated legs in the ground conditions we have at the moment.
Shadow the Reindeer
Well-Known Member
Why? Trimming the feathers, fair enough, but fully clipping the legs, in this weather?
Tbh, my lad prefers them off, otherwise he gets hot and itchy, and starts stamping. Also it makes stops mud from congealing on his feathers, adding weight to his legs (he gets a lot of feather, and when shaved off, it's easier to prevent mud rash in his case).. result being, he's never had mud rash.
Queenbee
Well-Known Member
My old mare being a heavyweight gypsy cob... Had the entire lot off... Ebony being fine never had her legs removed... Ben has just the right amount of feather for him to look messy and eurgh with his feathers, his fluffy legs certainly don't make me think 'aww how cute ' so we essentially left he legs but shaved a wide strip all the way down the back of each leg... When it comes time for his last clip, it will all get taken off so that it all grows back evenly... Yes I'm superficial and yes it's just for my personal preference, but tough. And actually our cob was so much more comfortable without her huge feather not with it.
' so we essentially left he legs but shaved a wide strip all the way down the back of each leg... When it comes time for his last clip, it will all get taken off so that it all grows back evenly... Yes I'm superficial and yes it's just for my personal preference, but tough. And actually our cob was so much more comfortable without her huge feather not with it.
Wagtail
Horse servant
Is that a statement of fact, or your opinion? I have never known any horse to be in discomfort with their legs clipped
How exactly would a horse communicate to you that its legs feel cold? Yes, it is my opinion. They are mammals like us, so it is reasonable to assume they would feel cold like us.
monkeybum13
Well-Known Member
I leave the legs unclipped, gives a layer of protection when jumping hedges
rhino
Well-Known Member
But surely they react to temperature as differently as we do? Currently it's freezing here, my family are all in thick jumpers and thermals etc, and I am in a t-shirt
How exactly can horses communicate anything to us then? I know that my old boy is more comfortable (i.e. doesn't get mud fever or any other skin issues) if his legs are clipped than unclipped.
Nightmare before Christmas
Well-Known Member
Looks smart, easy to keep clean, easy to see any cuts/swelling, dry quickly ect.
My horses live in most of the time and are in full competition work
Wagtail
Horse servant
So reasons to clip legs:
To avoid/treat conditions such as mud fever.
So that small injuries, thorns etc can be spotted and treated.
Looks nice.
Easier to look after and keep clean.
Reasons not to clip legs:
Protection from injuries,
Protection from cold.
I think trimming with a comb attachment is a very good compromise as it will ensure that the horses legs are kept warm but that any injuries, mud fever etc can be treated.
To avoid/treat conditions such as mud fever.
So that small injuries, thorns etc can be spotted and treated.
Looks nice.
Easier to look after and keep clean.
Reasons not to clip legs:
Protection from injuries,
Protection from cold.
I think trimming with a comb attachment is a very good compromise as it will ensure that the horses legs are kept warm but that any injuries, mud fever etc can be treated.
Nightmare before Christmas
Well-Known Member
Wagtail
Horse servant
Yes, can't you see she is screaming at you with every sinue of her being?
'Mum, my legs are bloody cold!'
Jeez, some people are so 'blind'.
'Mum, my legs are bloody cold!'
Jeez, some people are so 'blind'.
Nightmare before Christmas
Well-Known Member
Yes, can't you see she is screaming at you with every sinue of her being?
'Mum, my legs are bloody cold!'
Jeez, some people are so 'blind'.
She needs to speak up then as shes not moaned to me yet
Maybe she bithes behind my back :O
Roasted Chestnuts
Well-Known Member
Nightmare before Christmas
Well-Known Member
Goldenstar
Well-Known Member
Unless a horse is very fine coated I always clip the legs it's not possible to check legs of a horse in hard work to the standard I require covered in hair .
The only time I get a mud fever issue is when I have attempted to have a hunter with the legs hair left on.
So I clip routinely all the horses in work they justly look super lovely clipped as well . I look at hunters at the meet with stuff to help with mud fever clagged onto a inch of hair and think whats the point of that .
Horses have no muscle below the knee at all so the heat point for the lower limb is irreverent all the evidence suggests that even travel boots contribute to leg being overheated so I never worry about them being cold I keep an eye on the the shod one BF horses rarely get cold legs and it's easy to bandage in extreme circunmtances .
Having bought a fully feathered cob and seen the difference in calmness temperament and well being given by just clipping the feathers and and ridding the horse of the mite issue in one fell swoop I never give clipping the legs a second thought.
The only time I get a mud fever issue is when I have attempted to have a hunter with the legs hair left on.
So I clip routinely all the horses in work they justly look super lovely clipped as well . I look at hunters at the meet with stuff to help with mud fever clagged onto a inch of hair and think whats the point of that .
Horses have no muscle below the knee at all so the heat point for the lower limb is irreverent all the evidence suggests that even travel boots contribute to leg being overheated so I never worry about them being cold I keep an eye on the the shod one BF horses rarely get cold legs and it's easy to bandage in extreme circunmtances .
Having bought a fully feathered cob and seen the difference in calmness temperament and well being given by just clipping the feathers and and ridding the horse of the mite issue in one fell swoop I never give clipping the legs a second thought.
zoelouisem
Well-Known Member
I clip all my work and own horses legs easier to keep clean and stop any scabbys or mites ect.
I've never had a problem with injuries ect because there cold.
The only time I've had problems is when legs have been left on and scabs or not been able to get to the skin properly because the legs are unclipped.
So do the people who don't clip for warmth reasons not clip the body either as even when rugged there's exposed areas of the rest of the body that could get cold, for example there neck if you've not got a neck rug? Or even the slight backs of there bottom? Or heads if whole head is clipped out?
I've never had a problem with injuries ect because there cold.
The only time I've had problems is when legs have been left on and scabs or not been able to get to the skin properly because the legs are unclipped.
So do the people who don't clip for warmth reasons not clip the body either as even when rugged there's exposed areas of the rest of the body that could get cold, for example there neck if you've not got a neck rug? Or even the slight backs of there bottom? Or heads if whole head is clipped out?
Wagtail
Horse servant
If I clip a horse, I always use the weatherbeeta rugs that cover the belly and wrap around the tail and bottom. Personally, I've never had a problem with mud fever since moving here. My horses are WBs and TBs so not terribly hairy. I trim the fethers but leave the legs. Never ever had a problem even when in full competition work. I do prefer to trim the feathers of cobs, but always leave a good layer for warmth and protection. Yes, I agree, it's a bit more work, but not a lot. I don't understand clipping so that you can find little nics etc, as keeping the legs on prevents these things, thorns etc in any case.
I used to fully clip the heads, but don't any more as I knew I was just doing it because it looked nice and smart. Now I do a half head if I clip and just trim the long hairs of the ears level with the edge.
I used to fully clip the heads, but don't any more as I knew I was just doing it because it looked nice and smart. Now I do a half head if I clip and just trim the long hairs of the ears level with the edge.
pegasus1986
Well-Known Member
Thought it was better to keep tendons cool aswell
L&M
Well-Known Member
Have you hunted? Hairy legs don't always protect, as my earlier reply has indicated......
It is still possible for a thorn or nick to occur on a hairy leg - but the hair could prevent these being found immediately.
Sorry but we will have to agree to disagree on this one!
It is still possible for a thorn or nick to occur on a hairy leg - but the hair could prevent these being found immediately.
Sorry but we will have to agree to disagree on this one!
Wagtail
Horse servant
Yes, I've hunted. Also, I've worked at a yard that hired out hunters. Legs were all kept on. Never had a problem. Maybe just lucky?
dafthoss
Well-Known Member
YP has his clipped out to stop him getting mud fever. As he gets it really bad with hairy legs but touch wood it's always been ok with out the hair. If its cold he gets his wicking wraps on after his legs have been rinsed and then stable bandages at night so he doesn't get cold.
This summer I had to clip his white bits on his back legs as he got mud fever but in winter it's easier to take the lot off when I clip.
This summer I had to clip his white bits on his back legs as he got mud fever but in winter it's easier to take the lot off when I clip.
GinaGeo
Well-Known Member
My lad is a Connemara with some serious feather, it's the horrible coarse stuff and actually forms curls left to its own devices - he doesn't lose it in summer either and ends up hot and sweaty.
For his first clip I remove everything; head, legs the lot. I hunt him and he sweats all over. He gets his face off otherwise he wants to rub on everything when there's sweat trickling down his face, it must be very itchy. His legs come off so I can find any nicks. His fluff's that dense that it's not easy to find or treat anything in it.
After that everything comes off other than legs, I do take the line down to behind his knee so he doesn't get too hot. But it does afford some protection.
In his end of January clip everything will come off, so he's not too hot in summer.
A fine coated warmblood or TB I wouldn't clip out fully, but when they've as much dense fluff as he has it makes life much more pleasant for us both to remove the leg fluff.
For his first clip I remove everything; head, legs the lot. I hunt him and he sweats all over. He gets his face off otherwise he wants to rub on everything when there's sweat trickling down his face, it must be very itchy. His legs come off so I can find any nicks. His fluff's that dense that it's not easy to find or treat anything in it.
After that everything comes off other than legs, I do take the line down to behind his knee so he doesn't get too hot. But it does afford some protection.
In his end of January clip everything will come off, so he's not too hot in summer.
A fine coated warmblood or TB I wouldn't clip out fully, but when they've as much dense fluff as he has it makes life much more pleasant for us both to remove the leg fluff.
ladyt25
Well-Known Member
Mine suffers with this as well - I have to clip him throughout the year as he gets too hot competing in summer. Since he was about 6/7 I have fully clipped him and his legs and he has done better this way as he doesn't suffer so much with itchy, scabby legs. I personally don't think horse feel the cold through their legs - mine certainly doesn't seem to. In fact, even when fully clipped and turned out I have to watch I don't over-rug him as he gets too warm!
I have had him over 17 years and clipped him legs for at leats 14 of them - he has never suffered any leg/tendon problems and he's done a lot of competing and regularly hacks out. I don't see the issue with it at all.