Sweaty Horses and Rugging - your opinions??????

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kerry1

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I havnt clipped my horses yet and am trying to hold off for a few more weeks! They are still living out and I was just trying to get you're opinions re what to do after exercise - after work they get fairly sweaty so their cooled off and then a fleece and rain sheet put on them and then turned out - am I cruel and heartless? They will be in by mid November and clipped (possibly sooner depending on weather or grass)
 
I always allow my currently unclipped horse to cool down and thoroughly dry off before turning out. I am only rugging when it rains.

I hate seeing warm, wet horses rugged and chucked out - but that's my own personal opinion, an I'm sure many do it without ill affects.
 
If the horse is cooled off thoroughly, I dont see any problem? Even if the horse was still hot, turning out IMO is better than leaving them standing about in a chilly stable. If you think its an issue then simply clip them? They'll be fine living out clipped, as long as they have a decent rug (ie. you dont have to tie clipping in with stabling them).
 
Ditto Magic_Magpie, If they are getting sweaty already I would clip them now. Even if it's just a trace, you can always take more off when they start being stabled.
 
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Ditto Magic_Magpie, If they are getting sweaty already I would clip them now. Even if it's just a trace, you can always take more off when they start being stabled.

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But why would I clip now, before the coat is ready to be clipped?. Cool the horse down, allow further cooling and drying the stable whilst having a munch - then turn out.

Once the coat is fully through and set, then clip.
 
I walk the last bits of my hacks, so by the time I get back he is ready to be brushed off and chucked out. I don't have a school, but if I did I would just ride/walk them around until they were dry
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If your horses are sweating that much when worked i would go ahead and clip them, like others have said you don't have to take it all off, just take off the problem areas. I have always kept TB's out all winter, fully clipped but well rugged. As long as you replace the fur with rugs then they have no problem being out. I personally would not want a damp horse being turned out as they can get a chill.
Plus, on a lazy side, if they are clipped you don't have to waste time drying them off/waiting for them to dry you can just rug them up and chuck them out!
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Many thanks everyone - it is only a couple of weeks till I intend to clip but perhaps I will do it a bit earlier - I do have heavyweight rugs with hoods but I am aware that the underside of the neck and belly of a trace might be exposed to draughts would love if rugs had more protection for the belly (I know I shouldnt put human values on horses but wouldnt fancy going round with a belly top on at the moment - wouldnt be the prettiest sight in the world as well a the chill factor!!
Again thanks for all your replies x
 
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