Should we clip her for winter? All help appreciated

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nelle48

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I know it's not winter yet, but i'm not sure whether to clip Bella out for winter and rug her or not. Could you guys please tell me the pros and cons of clipping for winter and when to do it. She's started to shed her summer coat already, is this normal or not?
*btw - she is an id x cob so is quite stocky but not properly cobby type if you get me, not sure if that makes a difference or not though?
Any help greatly appreciated (:
Thanks (:
** just realised the title should say I, not we (:
 
Depends on how much work you are going to do with her...

If you plan on exercising her regularly then it's normally a good idea otherwise she will sweat up.

It's not worth it, in my opinion, unless the horse is getting sufficient exercise in that they would sweat up.

I didn't clip my mare when i purchased her in November two years ago and she was fine, obviously we didn't do LOADS but I rode her regularly.
Last Winter I clipped her as she started to do more and actually started to sweat out alot when I rode.
I clip when she begins to start sweating out,normally October/November. I don't like clipping early, but that's my opinion so not accurate! lol!
 
Thanks. Yeah I plan to work her at least 3/4 times a week (she currently works 5 days a week with 2 days off (: )
She does sweat quite a lot at the moment so would it be worth it seeing as she already sweats quite bad now? What rugs would she need extra and would she need to wear one all the time (:
Thanks
 
I'd do a light clip first, just to see how she goes in it and if she needs more off then when it's time to reclip take more off :)
Do you rug her when she's unclipped?

You'd definitely need a nice medium weight stable rug and an additional layer for extra cold months, so either a heavy weight stable rug on it's own or an under rug put underneath the middleweight.

Then turnout, you'd need a middleweight turnout and lightweight turnout definitely.
My horse was happy in a lightweight full neck turnout during the winter and used to sweat up in it sometimes when she was clipped!
So depends on your horse, you may only need a midweight for coldest of the cold and a lightweight with maybe 100/150gm fill for the beginning and end of winter, on the other hand she may need a midweight beginning and end then and a heavyweight when it's super cold!
You'd have to decide from how she feels cold!
She is half cob though right? Which means she should be pretty hardy.

I'd try get full necks if she's having any neck fur taken off also.
And a fleece for mild daytimes which can also be another layer.
Also the rugs sometimes rub their shoulders so I'd get a shoulder bib which helps prevent that and also helps keep them a bit warmer,mine wore hers all the time and didn't get any rub. Rubbing is more common with horses with wider shoulders, which she may have if she's cobby?
Hope that helps!
 
She just has a lightweight turnout for when it rains, a medium weight stable rug and a fly rug atm.
So should I buy a heavier turnout and a heavier stable rug and a fleece. She is quite wide in the shoulders, but her current rugs don't rub her ( though we had to get the next size up as the rugs wouldn't fasten on her chest haha) that I can tell so should I get one for her or not?
What kind of clip should she have or does it not matter too much?
Thanks (:
 
Yes that sounds good, Remember you can always mix and match.
When it was cold and rainy once I put the standard neck mediumweight turnout on with the lightweight full neck on top.
If you go on Robinsons sale now you'll get some bargain rugs! Also Protuff horsewear, if you google it, they have very reasonable rug prices (and sheepskin half pads <3)
And as for the shoulder bib I'd wait and see, if there starts to be rubbing then just buy one then.
And for clip, maybe do a trace clip?
That takes off half the neck, the shoulders and belly but leaves on the coat around her main body. It looks really nice and smart I think and doesn't take too much off.

:)
 
I am wondering this myself atm as my cob will be wintering out this year being hacked only about 4/5 times a week but e gets a bit sweaty even with this. He was very hairy when he came so I know he will get sweaty with this work but obviously I don't want to have to rug him too much - I'm thinking bib clip?
 
' Welshie owner and proud' ME TOO :D If he's the one in your signature, he's lovely!
Bib's are great cos they don't need much rugging at all. Sounds like a good plan :)
 
Jaffa that isn't the one in my sig, he's my other pony - I just haven't updated yet!
This is him
Olly.jpg


Thanks though, it's been a tough 18 months with her but it's all paying off now :D
 
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