Neck Arthritis and Winter

[Dyllymoo]

I'm not sure what to do this year clipping wise for J. He has arthritis in his neck (worse lower down but with some issues all the way along) so I'm concerned about taking his neck off and then having to put a neck on his 0g rug all the time, but obviously I don't want him to get stiff and cold in it. Last year he had a irish clip but it didn't go as far back as normal. He wont be in loads of work, mainly strengthening and fittening. He is also on the larger side but again I don't want to make him cold as that wont do his neck any good (but neither will the excess weight). Last night he was chilled in his stable, I walked past and rubbed his neck and he was on the brink of sweating. It had been warm during the day, but the wind didn't make it "hot" and he had been out naked, just unsure if I should clip to help him a bit or wait as its bound to get a bit colder.

Also, rugging. He has a 0g turnout with detachable neck. I only really put this on if it is raining constantly (even then usually without the neck unless it is also cold), but should I be trying to keep his neck more protected?

Ugh... a whole new level of worry!

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I wouldn't bother clipping just yet, wait to see what happens with the weather and consider a bib clip if necessary. I would, however use a neck on every rug to keep him warm. I used to own a Draft mare who always felt warm to touch but hated to get her neck wet. If she had a neck cover, she was fine in a thinner rug.

 

[tristar]

some materials are very heat conductive, silver inter active rugs from years ago come to mind, i would line the neck for warmth when it gets colder,

 

[Dyllymoo]

Thank you both. I will leave clipping him for now, I was contemplating a bib to start just to help him out a bit.

I do have a 40g neck cover that I can use, so even if he stays in the 0g rug he can have a warmer neck. He is such a hot horse though that's the problem.

 

[Annagain]

A friend has a horse with neck arthritis, he's a traditional cob so hairy and sweaty at this time of year - she clips from the middle of his chest (where rug buckles would be) to just behind the girth and round the top of his legs. It's unorthodox but it works for the horse. Later on in the year he has a low trace clip with just the underside of his neck off and wears a 200g neck cover with a 100g rug.

 

[Dyllymoo]

A friend has a horse with neck arthritis, he's a traditional cob so hairy and sweaty at this time of year - she clips from the middle of his chest (where rug buckles would be) to just behind the girth and round the top of his legs. It's unorthodox but it works for the horse. Later on in the year he has a low trace clip with just the underside of his neck off and wears a 200g neck cover with a 100g rug.

Thank you, that's true didn't think of not taking any of his neck off really. I guess I can always take more off if needed

 

[jenniehodges2001]

I'm not sure what to do this year clipping wise for J. He has arthritis in his neck (worse lower down but with some issues all the way along) so I'm concerned about taking his neck off and then having to put a neck on his 0g rug all the time, but obviously I don't want him to get stiff and cold in it. Last year he had a irish clip but it didn't go as far back as normal. He wont be in loads of work, mainly strengthening and fittening. He is also on the larger side but again I don't want to make him cold as that wont do his neck any good (but neither will the excess weight). Last night he was chilled in his stable, I walked past and rubbed his neck and he was on the brink of sweating. It had been warm during the day, but the wind didn't make it "hot" and he had been out naked, just unsure if I should clip to help him a bit or wait as its bound to get a bit colder.

Also, rugging. He has a 0g turnout with detachable neck. I only really put this on if it is raining constantly (even then usually without the neck unless it is also cold), but should I be trying to keep his neck more protected?

Ugh... a whole new level of worry!

I have the same with my horse who has an impingement on C7/T1 (there are a lot around) and an osteopath suggested that actually putting a neck on could potentially cause more issues as it restricts the horse in its neck movement especially when putting head down to graze.

All my necks have been bought with the arthritic changes in mind and I assumed that it was better to put necks on than not but maybe the osteopath was correct.
As for clipping, I don't clip mine but only because it has a really fine coat and is in very light work.