Has clipping your EMS ponies made much difference to their weight?

[HollyWoozle]

We are working really hard on the best management for our little spotted mini who has EMS and things are going in the right direction. His paddock has very minimal grazing and he lives off very well-soaked hay which is weighed into small-holed nets, a light balancer, a tiny bit of Molasses-Free Happy Hoof and Metformin. He now also has a new loan pal with similar needs and it's all working really well, but he is still a bit heavier than I would like, although his crest is soft and I am convinced I can find ribs underneath the fluff. He was seen by vet a few weeks ago who wasn't unhappy with his weight but he could be lighter for the time of year in my opinion. Photos from this morning.

He is still very hairy and we are wondering if a clip might help to shift a few kilos as nights are still quite chilly. He lives out (with good shelter) but we could maybe have someone give him a trace clip or something not too dramatic to see if it makes a difference? I know exercise is key but we don't have any facilities at home and his feet are not currently up to walking on tarmac or our rock hard ground for any real distance, so options are limited.

I am just wondering if any of you have found clipping to make much difference in these circumstances? We've never had any of ours clipped before so I'm not sure what to expect from it really. He might feel better to have some of the hair off anyway I guess, since whilst the nights are cold the days are turning quite warm and sunny.

 

[Casey76]

get him some boots and get him walking. You’re right, exercise is key.

I would also ask, has he been tested for PPID, most ponies would be shedding by now.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Thank you, I will look at boots.

I'll have to check that with my Mum (who actually owns him) but he is shedding dramatically and is already a lot less hairy than he was. I am going over him with a shedding blade everyday and getting a lot out but it's just taking a while (although one of our other ponies who has definitely been tested is still quite hairy too).

 

[Dexter]

Its never made any difference at all with most of mine

 

[HollyWoozle]

Thanks @Dexter!

 

[HappyHollyDays]

I had my EMS boy fully clipped for the winter and even rugged it made a huge difference to his whole shape. The vet couldn’t believe how much he had changed last time she saw him and stood for ages peering at his ribs which she had never seen before ? Fatpads went and his sheath also stopped swelling up. Only supplement is a liver cleanser as I am on high iron soil and water comes straight from a spring.

 

[HollyWoozle]

That's really helpful, thanks @Lindylouanne! I think we have nothing to lose really.

 

[meleeka]

I gave my mini a chaser clip today, not
to reduce his weight, but because he’s started just standing under the tree when it’s sunny. I’m aware that lack of movement isn’t good for him, but the amount of coat he has is just too much for nice days. He went straight out for a stroll around so I’m sure is much happier.

 

[MuddyMonster]

My very good doer (doesn't have EMS but does have PPID) has a cross between chaser/trace/Irish clipped and is largely un-rugged over winter (he literally has a cooler on after exercise when he's gotten sweaty and wore a 0g rug on a handful of occasions) and it makes a big difference IMHO.

Now I know he can live out partially clipped, I'm debating giving him a blanket or hunter clip next year and lightly rugging as I don't know if that would be even more effective?

 

[HollyWoozle]

Domino is now booked in to be clipped tomorrow but of course I'm panicking about how much to get taken off as I have no experience of clipping. He is really quite woolly still and lives out 24/7 but has a really cosy shelter with wood pellet bedding. I am thinking just to get some of his neck and belly taken off, like an Irish clip but leaving the head? I think that would be a sensible amount and he would still have most of his coat but just have to use some extra calories to regulate. I certainly don't want him to be shivering it off (he did come with a pile of rugs so we have a back-up on that!). It's been dropping to around 1C at night but dry and not windy and days are getting up to 16C here now and sunny, so I think he'll be more comfortable.

Have also ordered him some little Cavallo boots so that he can get walking!

 

[Polos Mum]

Not EMS but fatty native type. I got a bo££*cking from the independent nutritionist about his weight in November. He carries it well and I hadn't really focused on it enough as he's only 4.
I clipped him neck and belly the next day and he definitely dropped weight the next couple of weeks. It then stayed level for ages and mid Jan I bit the bullet and did quite a high irish - no rug, limited shelter and only in when its grim.
Again he dropped noticeably the 2-3 weeks after clipping then levelled off.

End of feb in desperation i started soaking hay and for the last few weeks he's looked loads better and strangers are commenting on how fit and trim he looks.

I don't think it's just one thing that will be a miracle cure but it might all join up together to help tip the balance in your favour.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Thanks @Polos Mum! That's really good info.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Little Irish clip complete! He was such a good boy and I think will feel better for it on these warm spring days. Didn't want to do anything too drastic to start, especially since he is out 24/7 (although his shelter is really cosy), but let's see if it helps. Thanks for all your input.

 

[cornish1]

I have a fat cob who was fully clipped a month ago and isn't rugged. He's totally fine, even in a windy field. Don't worry about the temperatures, in my experience they only need a lw rug if it's due to rain.

 

[windand rain]

As long as they are waterproof by the time it rains I would take the lot off only rug if wet and cold