Full or Blanket Clip living out 24/7

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CobsGalore

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Cob currently has a neck and belly clip, lives out naked and still fat. The clip has nearly grown out and I am planning on doing another this weekend.

I will be upping his workload shortly so thinking of doing either a full clip (face & legs left on) or blanket clip to stop him getting sweaty and also to help him lose weight.

He will have a rain sheet on, or a slightly heavier rug if the temperature drops at night.

Would it be cruel to clip this much hair off when he lives out 24/7, or will he be ok considering he is fat and it is the other side of winter now?

Do anyone else have a field kept horse that is fully clipped?
 
My 4 yr old Tb is fully clipped (legs and face left on) and living out 24/7 (does have access to field shelter though)
She is a very happy and healthy horse, fantastic weight and condition at the moment

He'll be fine, better to try and get the weight off now than when Sping grass is coming through!
 
We have three living out who are clipped. One has a blanket clip, one has a chaser clip and one is all clipped bar legs and half face. They are well rugged, have plenty of natural shelter and seem happy and content.
 
If he's only going to be in enough work to warrant a blanket clip I'd do that, again if he'll need a full clip due to his work I'd do that. I hope that makes sense? So the minimum that's needed for his workload. You can always take more off later if its not enough :)
 
Love said:
If he's only going to be in enough work to warrant a blanket clip I'd do that, again if he'll need a full clip due to his work I'd do that. I hope that makes sense? So the minimum that's needed for his workload. You can always take more off later if its not enough :)
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He'll probably only be in enough work to warrant a blanket clip, but I was hoping that clipping will help me get a little more weight off him before Spring too.
 
My cob has a full clip except for face and legs. She lives out 24/7 and is fine. She is a hot horse and has mainly had a 40g rug on during the winter.
 
CobsGalore said:
Thanks - can I ask why you say that? Do you not think that adequate rugging will ever keep them warm enough?
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Because I think it's unfair to expect them to cope with all the elements that our winter can chuck at them and expect them to do it without a coat.

Rugging will never, ever make up for their own coat.
 
maxine1985 said:
My 4 yr old Tb is fully clipped (legs and face left on) and living out 24/7 (does have access to field shelter though)
She is a very happy and healthy horse, fantastic weight and condition at the moment

He'll be fine, better to try and get the weight off now than when Sping grass is coming through!
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Thanks. What rugs does your filly wear?
 
amymay said:
Personally I'd never give a full clip and have them out 24/7. So in your shoes I'd go for the trace.
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I agree with this. It seems counterproductive to rug if your aim is to assist in weight loss but a full clip would require rugging on all but mild wind-free days. Lots of horses don't need any clipping (or far less than they get) unless they are in regular hard work. Perhaps look at your feeding regime as you may be able to cut down a bit, which will help.
 
CobsGalore said:
Thanks. What rugs does your filly wear?
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Shes in a Premier Equine rug which is 100grams with a 200gram liner underneath, i did swap the 200gram to 350 gram when it was well below freezing last week, she was clipped beginning of Nov and her coat has barely grown back, she never feels cold! All my horses in work have always lived out 24/7 fully clipped, they are always content and look well :-)
 
horserugsnot4u said:
I agree with this. It seems counterproductive to rug if your aim is to assist in weight loss but a full clip would require rugging on all but mild wind-free days. Lots of horses don't need any clipping (or far less than they get) unless they are in regular hard work. Perhaps look at your feeding regime as you may be able to cut down a bit, which will help.
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Yes I suppose it does sound counterproductive, however, his coat is like a heavyweight rug(!), so I was thinking that if I clipped him and put a lightweight on it may help with his weight loss.

I will do a trace instead and see what happens!

Thanks for all your advice :)
 
I have had everything from fully clipped and hunting to bib clips living out 24/7

As long as rugged accordingly and they have shelter. They will be fine.
 
Quote: guido16; "I have had everything from fully clipped and hunting to bib clips living out 24/7

As long as rugged accordingly and they have shelter. They will be fine."
Agreed :)
 
Yes I agree, rugs have moved on now and are more than compensation for clipping.

Plus this horse is already clipped and naked and still fat so therefore obviously pretty tough :)
 
Well mine has been fully clipped for 4 winters now and not dropped dead! She looks great, is certainly feeling well and is snug as a bug in her rug!
 
All of mine have lived out fully clipped for the last 5 years, although its because they sweat when worked, rather than in an effort to get weight off.
 
I would go for a blanket clip in your position.

I don't think it would be fair to fully clip him to loose weight when a blanket clip will be enough for his workload - I don't think clipping should be used for weight loss - sorry just my opinion. I'd rather excersize him more or restrict his feed.

A fat human wouldn't stand outside in the cold naked to be skinny!
 
Given the time of year why not ditch the rugs? It is quite late to clip without risking lines in spring...... Unless you normally clip all year.....
 
I'm sure many horses live out 24/7 with full clips and manage fine, but personally I don't think a rug can ever make up for their natural coat. I would certainly consider giving one of mine a lesser clip if required, making up for it with adequate rugging and shelter, but I wouldn't be comfortable having them fully clipped and living out.

If I were you OP then I guess I'd go for the lesser clip and see how we got on. :)

ETA: I think they should always have adequate shelter whether clipped or not - just to clarify!
 
Kat said:
Oh right! Sorry, I thought as he'd been clipped earlier in the year he would be.
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Sorry, maybe I didn't explain properly - he was clipped in oct/nov and has been naked with the clip. And still toasty warm and fat! :rolleyes:

Anyway, thank you for everyone's opinions. I think I will start with a chaser or trace and see how he gets on with that before taking any more hair off.

Having said that - is it too late to do this sort of clip at this time of year!? Will he have lines in the summer?
 
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