HeresHoping
Well-Known Member
My Connie is being clipped today. She has grown her winter woollies fit for the northern climes and the weather has not been obliging. We're currently enjoying 15 degrees and a light breeze. This means she is getting absolutely soaked after 40 minutes in the school. Not an issue at weekends but on weekdays I am on a tight schedule and can't really afford the time to hang around waiting for her to dry off so I can rug her if the temperature does decide it's going to drop below the magic 8. Which it has a few times since the middle of September.
Why was I even thinking about rugging a hairy? Well, she's an ex broodmare who gets a little stiff with the start of arthritis and possibly insulin resistance (she's 16 and not tested yet - we just note that there's a marked improvement in her hind end movement when the grass grows green). The vet has suggested that although she was negative for Cushings, she should be managed as though she does have some sort of insulin issue (who wouldn't after 5 foals?), so keeping her warm when she comes in at night and keeping her exercised at least 6 days a week is a given.
I shall give her a blanket clip this afternoon. I've not clipped her previously but feel this is probably best.
I have a 100g no neck stable rug, but obviously this clip will give her a naked neck. Should I get the same weight with a neck for the next month or so? Or should I go straight to the 200g with a neck and just whack this on when it drops below 4?
Hmmm. Please help me decide. Everything turnout I have has a neck apart from the lightweight so not worried about that.
Why was I even thinking about rugging a hairy? Well, she's an ex broodmare who gets a little stiff with the start of arthritis and possibly insulin resistance (she's 16 and not tested yet - we just note that there's a marked improvement in her hind end movement when the grass grows green). The vet has suggested that although she was negative for Cushings, she should be managed as though she does have some sort of insulin issue (who wouldn't after 5 foals?), so keeping her warm when she comes in at night and keeping her exercised at least 6 days a week is a given.
I shall give her a blanket clip this afternoon. I've not clipped her previously but feel this is probably best.
I have a 100g no neck stable rug, but obviously this clip will give her a naked neck. Should I get the same weight with a neck for the next month or so? Or should I go straight to the 200g with a neck and just whack this on when it drops below 4?
Hmmm. Please help me decide. Everything turnout I have has a neck apart from the lightweight so not worried about that.