Clipping: Why? Please explain the point?

Well apart from the fact that all the horses I ride are in hard work they are clipped right out also for pure vanity reasons!!!!

They look smart and as they are competing all winter they are easier to clean as well (especially the coloured and the greys!!). I don't like lines etc so they all have a full clip including legs.

The hairy ones get clipped all year round.
 
We had a 30yr old Shettie on my yard who had a bib and belly clip as he had such a thick coat he'd sweat up and get uncomfortable on mild winter days.

My mare on the other hand, doesn't grow much of coat and isn't a very sweaty horse, so I can work her all through the winter with her hardly breaking a sweat, and I'm talking long, fast hacks, fairly strenuous schooling sessions, gridwork, etc. I'm not against clipping, I would do it if I thought she needed it, but I am against taking off the entire coat if it isn't neccessary.

She's going to be in more work than usual this winter, so we'll see how she goes but I doubt she'll need a clip.
 
They do look nicer clipped, and I may start out thinking a trace or blankit clip, but straight lines are so difficult.....

Mine had a chaser type thing last year and it was a total pain when she started moulting in the spring, so much hair, I nearly clipped her again.
 
I'll be starting with a blanket this year and then at the last clip it all comes off, but I am riding every morning and plan to compete dressage throughout the winter. And the horse will be living out as long as possible (all winter if I can get away with it) suitably rugged!!!
 
When we bought H he had been out on loan for 6 months. He arrived with us in November, fat, in soft condition and recently clipped.

Some do it for practical reasons, and some don't.
 
I have a sweaty monster! I hacked out the other night for about an hour, ok there were hills involved, but I did not go faster than a walk and when I got home Jack was sweating under his saddle and a little on his neck. After fast work on the beach the other day or hard schooling at home he is absolutely dripping.

I work full time, and I don't have time to wait around for a wet hairy horse to dry out. So he is clipped both for his benefit and my convenience, because it's easier for me to juggle rugs than deal with a cold wet horse. He is worked 6-7 days a week and will hopefully be hunting this winter, so I think this is justified.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I need to do Joe's feet for medical reasons
grin.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

I'm just a little bit surprised that as a horse owner, you don't know this already, but fair enough, you know now. But I'm not sure what you mean by the above. I'm sure you don't mean you wouldn't get your horse's hooves trimmed if it were not for medical reasons! This is something that you have to do with horses for reasons of general care, not medical reasons. Obviously it would become a medical issue if you didn't do it. Perhaps its just your phrasing. Please reassure me!
 
I've clipped my mare twice already.

She will sweat stood in the stable or even after just an hour's hack. Imagine what she looks like when I do faster work, farm rides, intensive lessons, jumping, hunt meets?

She grows a very thick coat and has been known to still be wet some hours after exercise, even though I will change her wicking cooler a couple of times.

Clipping her means she can work without sweating and therefore there will be no need to keep her in during the depths of winter whilst I await her drying off. If I were to turn her out with a wet coat, she might catch a chill.

There is also the comfort of the horse during exercise to factor. My mare is sluggish and resistent when she feels all hot and bothered. Once clipped she works so much better as she doesn't feel unbearably hot during work.

You're not the first to question the logic though. Most non-horse owners don't get it either.
 
[ QUOTE ]
They do look nicer clipped, and I may start out thinking a trace or blankit clip, but straight lines are so difficult.....

Mine had a chaser type thing last year and it was a total pain when she started moulting in the spring, so much hair, I nearly clipped her again.

[/ QUOTE ]

I always start out planning a blanket but the lines end up getting higher and higher as I try to make them neater...so I end up taking it all off
grin.gif
 
let joes coat grow and give him the winter off so he doesnt catch a chill! clipping for work and rugging is basic c c+ pony club stuff, loads of magazines will give the reasons! get your squash raquet out but dont forget to water and feed joe through the hairy months!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top