Plaited & Trimmed - winter turnout for inhand showing - HELP!

Rudey

Rudey

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Hey guys, I need your help please. :) No doubt I am going to sound rather thick, but how do I turn my pony out for a winter show? :confused:

He is a plaited and trimmed type. He is only 2 years old. He is a french TB x traditional coloured cob.

The show is the Ultimate Showcase of Champions winter show held in November. By then, I imagine he will be a hairy mammoth. Is it expected for horses to be clipped (considering his 'type')? I'm not too keen of clipping my little man at his age, would you do it? But if it is expected, what type of clip? :confused:

I spoke to a lady last week, she does HOYS level showing. I asked her what she thought and she said to clip everything off, from ear to toe! I said that he was only 2, and she said if I didn't clip him, I ought to rug him up well and pray his coat stays nice!

Here's a photo of Rox from this years USOC, his front legs aren't that close normally, just the way he's stood there!...
SAM_6846.jpg


Any pointers, tips, will be muchly appreciated please! xx :D
 
Hi,

My friend shows M&M's and they are all ready in heavy weight stable rugs and in over night to keep their coats nice. I think it depends on how well you rug, they need to be kept quite warm to keep a good coat, and you will need to invest in something like a snuggy hood too! Clipping him off is fine, but he will also need to be well rugged! TBH if he were mine I'm all for horses being horses and I probably wouldn't show him through the winter as don't think that over rugging or clipping is very fair on a 2 yr old.
 
Depends what level you are doing really, usually with the higher affiliated stuff it is expected that the horse should be clipped and a full clip too, any other type of clip woud be frowned upon too. Otherwise at local level you should be fine unclipped as along as you can keep the coat looking in good condition.
 
Thanks for your response Natalia :) My little chap gets hot too quickly, and so he has only got a light weight combo on. To be fair to him, if it wasn't for this show in November, I wouldn't have rugged him until November/December time. If I tried to put a heavy weight on him now he would swelter! I'm relatively new to the showing world, but by heck it's an interesting place! He will do the show in November and then that will be him until next years show season. xx :)
 
Thank you for your response Ossy, it's what I wanted to hear! I am doing a lower level then affiliated showing, and so I feel better knowing it isn't too bad leaving him with a coat. I don't feel too daft now! :)

It makes me wonder though, what age people do start (full) clipping youngsters for showing purposes, and what people think is acceptable. I might start a new thread on it! xx :D
 
Yes, I can think of a few people who would say clim him out completely - I don't like the idea of that though.

You're left with the rugging idea then - I'd definately do a full neck one. And the joys of wondering how on earth you're going to get him clean at that time of year :D Do you know anywhere local to you with a solarium so you can take him for a good wash and blow dry ;)
 
if he was a ridden horse I'd say fully clip him out, but I can see why you wouldn't do that at this moment.

I actually never clipped my ridden hack as her winter coat was so fine. I just kept her well rugged so she could never get cold (she was a poor doer anyway so this was doubly important for other things), and showed her in the winter with her winter coat. I never got any comments on it, but I'd recommend that if you plan on bathing to do it 2 days before, as the long winter coat is likely to take on a wavey texture whilst drying. If you do it 2 days before you've a chance of brushing it smoother - though I appreciate this may not be ideal with your pony's colouring.

Beautiful beautiful boy by the way.
 
ohboy said:
he's gorgeous
Click to expand...

Thank you very much! xx :)



Naturally said:
Yes, I can think of a few people who would say clim him out completely - I don't like the idea of that though.

You're left with the rugging idea then - I'd definately do a full neck one. And the joys of wondering how on earth you're going to get him clean at that time of year :D Do you know anywhere local to you with a solarium so you can take him for a good wash and blow dry ;)
Click to expand...

No, I must admit, I don't like the idea or it either. It's not as if I am a professional, nor is he competing at several winter shows - just this one in November. I thought it would be a bit much to ask of him, and started to think if it was unacceptable to show him with a coat, I would have given it a miss!

If only there was somewhere local like that lol! In fairness, his body stays white where his rug is, just a case of chalking him to make him brighter, and to wash his legs! I hate bathing - somebody please tell me why I bought a coloured with loads of white on him lol! :rolleyes: xx :D
 
MissSBird said:
if he was a ridden horse I'd say fully clip him out, but I can see why you wouldn't do that at this moment.

I actually never clipped my ridden hack as her winter coat was so fine. I just kept her well rugged so she could never get cold (she was a poor doer anyway so this was doubly important for other things), and showed her in the winter with her winter coat. I never got any comments on it, but I'd recommend that if you plan on bathing to do it 2 days before, as the long winter coat is likely to take on a wavey texture whilst drying. If you do it 2 days before you've a chance of brushing it smoother - though I appreciate this may not be ideal with your pony's colouring.

Beautiful beautiful boy by the way.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for your response MissSBird, I really appreciate the advice. I'm a total novice at this showing malarky, and I really value other peoples experiences. It's nice to hear that that her coat was never commented on - in my mind that would mean it isn't incorrect to turn them out with a coat. That's made me happier! Great tip for the bathing - I will bear that in mind. Thank you! xx :D
 
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