Should I clip My Highland Pony??

[sarah101095]

Has anybody got any advice on whether or not to clip my highland pony this winter.
He is in light/moderate work, being hacked nearly everyday for an hour during the week and then jumping practise and hacking at the weekends.
Last winter he was a nightmare to cool down and I regret not clipping him as he got sweaty everytime I rode him.
But the only thing that is stopping me is the fact that he is very hardy and had no rugs and so when he is clipped will he need rugs in the field??
Thankyou for reading !!
Sarah xx

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

you could do a low belly and neck and he would manage without a rug, but that doent really clip off the sweaty bits! i would go for a bigger clip and a light rug!

 

[Enfys]

If he was mine and he sweated up then I'd clip him and put a rug on him, no question.

 

[sarah101095]

thanks for the advice, been lucking at turnout rugs for a while on the internet and going to a rug sale next weekend, hopefully pick something cheap up!

xx

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

Given what you have said i would advise something like an irish clip and find a rug, its nice if you do not have to clip at all, but i think it could be a case of needs must

 

[MagicMelon]

As everyone else has said. Just make sure you buy a suitable weight rug. If you plan to give him a really basic clip then you'll only need a lightweight rug, if a hunter clip or something then a middleweight/heavy (although middle does my natives when clipped) would be better etc.

 

[Lissa]

Have clipped my highland the past two years and he does about the same amount of work as what you've described so i'd clip him.
First year mine had a blanket clip and had a mediumish weight rug and last year had a chaser then trace with a lighter rug on and managed fine living out for most of the winter.

 

[bexb01]

I always clip my highland - shes too sweaty when hairy but overheats in a rug so scared she gets a chill - stuck between a rock and a hard place; so always find clipping her out a bit kinder!
Oh needing to replace the clipper blades this year and cant remember what the last ones were - are fine or medium blades better for highlands? (heiniger clippers)
Cheers!