Over clipping.. you opinions?

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showjump2003

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OK. I have two horses that are both normally full clipped in the winter. My horse will definatly be full clipped as normal but as my pony is only in very light work due to injury I know technically she doesn't need doing. BUT .... is there anything wrong with over clipping if you are capable of caring for them appropriatly? Even if she wasn't clipped she would still be rugged and on the same stable routine as my full clipped horse? Plus this pony hates being groomed and a clip will just make it alot easier. I'm not after a moral go ahead to make me feel better about doing it, just wondered what others opinions are.
 
Tbh I give my TB a full clip even though she hardly does any work at the mo. Purely because she gets flaky skin when she has a long coat and itches like mad, also she hates being brushed as well and it's much easier to just wash her off. She seems to cope fine and I don't see a problem with it, really.
 
In latter years I always clipped Amy out - regardless of what we were doing. It made life so much easier - and I had plenty of warm rugs to keep her snug.
 
Mine is completely clipped out - ok he is ridden 6 days a week for about 1hr. But I have limited time, and I can rug him up with more rugs if he needs them, having less hair means less mud! So he is easier to keep clean and so it saves me time. He keeps condition well so I don't worry about him being naked
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I always used to be quite vocal against over clipping, but to be honest I have changed my mind over the years and now fully clip my mare unless she is out of work full stop. Pretty much same reasons as everyone else - she hates being groomed, is a very sweaty beast and I have limited time in the winter to groom/cool down etc. Plus a huge thing for me is that I am allergic to her hair when she molts in the spring which combined with hayfever at that time of the year is horrible, so its easier to clip her out and be done with it.

I agree with you OP, for me nowadays as long as the horse is well cared for, I don't think it matters whether they are clipped or not, as long as clipping isn't too much of a stressful experience for the horse. I don't like it when people insist on clipping a horse that hates it when there isn't much of a reason work wise.
 
There is nothing wrong with wanting your horseys to look their best as long as they are comfortable and happy. I get shot down for rugging my lad so his winter coat is inhibited but he doesn't need it as he has loads of rugs and a warm stable. Mind you, when he is all shiny and glossy unclipped in January he turns loads of heads and I am so proud of my beauty!
 
I always full clip mine and she is only ridden about 4 times a week when I am away from uni, but she sweats easily.
Its also a vanity thing, as she looks so much smarter fully clipped, i have the rugs for her and she looks in good condition, so i don't see a problem.
 
The main reason I clipped Chex last year was so that he could get his thicker rugs on, because his mw rugs were starting to rub. I don't see the problem - he's not suffering because I clipped him, in fact its the opposite!
 
Clip him out and rug him up! Find enthusiasm difficult enough in winter without being faced with a hairy, sweaty, muddy (sounds like my OH) growbag. Also usually ride after work and would worry about leaving him damp overnight.
 
I guess there is no problem with it so long as you are prepared to make sure they are rugged adequately and have shelter from the weather.
I don't clip my boy at all but that is my choice because I have the time to look after a dirty, hairy monster. I do not think he would be happier for clipping anyway as he is flippin sensitive about cold weather so would not want to risk it.
 
I always leave them if I can avoid it, I actually don't have to clip anymore as the big lad is rugged from now and doesn't grow a coat (he's pathetic!) and the pony well..is a hairy pony!
 
I have never given any of my horses a full clip as they don't need it. Even when they were stabled at night. Last year my dad didn't even bother to clip Tufty and he was getting ridden 3 times a week. He didn't get too woolly as he had his Rambo on and we have very little mud in our fields.
 
well they dont call me mrs scissorhands for nothing! I leave the ones not being ridden but those that are in work, it all comes off, just too much hassle if not with the mud etc. They come in every night and its a lot easier to dry a clipped horse than it is a woolly one!
 
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