To Clip or Not to Clip That is the question!

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littlemiss1

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Basically as the title really. I have a coloured heavyweight cob who seems to be much more hairy this year than others. He is turned out in the field during the day with a fly sheet to stop him bleaching, but he's coming in every day sweating and getting sweaty from work too. I have a big county show coming up next week so I'm undecided whether to clip him or just hold out to see if he gets a finer summer coat come through.
 
I have just clipped two big cobs out for health reasons and to show one of them. Both look magnificent with fab skins and both are now calm, comfortable and so much happier. The very big horse was standing in the shade sweating and panting to the extent I thought he was a possible colic.
 
I would hold off clipping till the show and clip him afterwards. I don't mind clipping for when you show a horse but would never do it this close to a show. Can you keep him in lighter work and come up to the yard more often during the day to give him a hose down or even keep him in during the day and and out at night??
 
I used to clip my show cob all summer he was grey so it didn't look too obvious and could be done the day before if I had to along with everything else, I would do him ASAP so it has a few days to settle, it should be fine and he wont be the only one clipped.
 
I would clip him, he's uncomfortable and he's not going to look good at the show if he's super sweaty and hairy! I clip whenever needed and I agree with AA, sharp blades are your friend!
 
Depends what classes you are doing for the show really. Ive no issue fully clipping an uncomfortable horse though. I clip most of mine all summer. And yes, i notice the coats are taking much longer to come out this year too!
 
If mine weren't losing hair by the bucketload, I'd be considering doing the same! I guess it just depends how uncomfortable he is. Is it fair to make him wait a little longer for Mother Nature to do her thing, or is he really not doing well under his big, thick coat?
 
Clip and blend in the legs, I clip all year round as too hairy and unfair to expect him to work. I use standard blades but want to try covercoat blades that leave slightly more natural look.
 
I'd say go for it and clip, I've just had to fully clip out a little donkey who was taking ages to lose her coat and getting very hot, she had a lovely shiny coat underneath. Just agree with others sharp blades and do it asap.
 
Mines clipped and still hairy legged. I've just blended the legs in so you cant tell. He had his summer coat but so much hair came off! Even his summer coat is thick and dense. Hes much happier now its gone :)
 
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