Clipping, weight loss and 24/7 turn out

[Daniel_Jack]

My horse has gotten ridiculously fat since returning due to injury and moving to a retirement yard.

We managed her weight all summer with muzzle and fatty paddock but she still got a bit fat and now the ground is too churned up in the fat paddock and we stupidly took the muzzle off in Oct and she had just inflated.

Muzzle is back on, fatty paddock has dried out and is back in play and at least its the right time of year for weight loss but I'm wondering if clipping is also an option.

I always clipped when she was in work but she was stabled at night with a stable rug. She is currently out 24/7 naked with a big fluffy coat.

Is a bib clip and remaining rug less an option? Or even full clip with rainsheet.

I need an option what will help with weight loss - not just make her cold and miserable!

 

[Widgeon]

I don't think a bib clip would be unreasonable at all - she'll still have the fluffy coat on her back to keep the rain off. I'd probably rather that than a full clip and rainsheet - she might get cold like that. There's not much warmth in a rainsheet.

FWIW I had a bib clipped Icelandic out 24/7 without a rug, and he was quite happy like that all year round. My current cob is out 24/7 with an almost-grown-out full clip and just a rainsheet, and doesn't seem cold or unhappy. I'll put a 100g on when the temperatures start dropping below about 3C, but he's also rugged with an eye to weight loss - it's a fine line to tread isn't it, particularly in this changeable weather.

I'd give a bib clip a go, leave the rug off and see how she does.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Do a bib clip and no rug that's what I would do.

 

[Dexter]

Clipping to make them loose weight has never worked for me so I wouldnt bother.

 

[Widgeon]

Clipping to make them loose weight has never worked for me so I wouldnt bother.

I was going to say that but then I re-read and realised that the OP's horse is retired, so I suppose it's worth a go, in the absence of ridden exercise as an option! Every little helps?

 

[maya2008]

Bib clip won’t be enough to lose weight in my experience. You need a little more coat off!

 

[Polos Mum]

Mine is on his 3rd clip of the year - 2 x Irish and I've just turned that into a trace. I was read the riot act by my physio that this winter he has to loose weight or I'm in serious trouble with him. No rugs for him at all.

He's not cold or shaking but using energy (fat) to keep himself toasty - whenever I feel his ears / armpits they are lovely even when I'm freezing

I've also pondered that he must burn some calories re growing the coat I keep clipping off. - Every calorie helps !!

 

[stangs]

I'd do an Irish clip - more hair off but you've still got the coat on the back.

 

[Getbackboys]

if you leave her as is in the fatty paddock she will naturally loose weight come feb all horses loose weight by that time, but right now need the coat for winter protection. she will just grow it back quicker to protect herself from the cold. remove muzzle (so unnatural) feed hay not ad lib and no hard feed

 

[HashRouge]

I shouldn't think a bib clip will do much to help with weight loss and I wouldn't want to full clip a retiree who is out 24/7. I think you need to give it a little bit of time to see whether being in the fatty paddock is effective. Don't forget that you have to actually give her time to lose weight, it won't happen instantly! It has been a very mild autumn so far and it doesn't surprise me that she has ballooned if she was out on decent grass with no muzzle. However, the weight should slowly start to come off now if she is in a grazed down paddock.