To Clip or not to Clip.....That is the question!

[peanutsmumma]

I have a 6year old Dartmoor that lives off fresh air! He unfortunately doesn't have a rider at the moment, his sharer ended a few months ago and i haven't managed to find anyone suitable since.
So therefore, he isn't get the amount of exercise he needs, I walk him out in hand when I can and i also box him up and taking him on different walks with my dog when time permits.

He is on a track system with my new forest, they are shut off to only part of it at night with soaked hay and he gets a tiny handful of light and healthy chaff with and all purpose supplement. During the day he is muzzled as I'm strip grazing the bottom part of my track which has been left since spring.

I'm debating of whether I should give him a clip or not, he has a good coat on him already and he is still a bit on the tubby side.

Any advice welcome

 

[moandben]

If the horse isn't going to be worked clipping doesn't seem needed, with regards to clipping to loose weight, a vet once said to me, if you needed to loose weight would you stand outside naked to shiver off weight?

 

[Pippity]

Whereas my vet told me that keeping them a little on the chilly side is a great help with weight loss.

I'd say take off his belly. He'll have plenty of time to grow it back before it gets properly cold.

 

[Jenko109]

I would do an Irish clip or similar. I had a NF live out every winter with no rug like this and he never appeared cold.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I would do a bib or irish clip personally?

 

[Leandy]

I would not clip a horse which is not in work. No point.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I would not clip a horse which is not in work. No point.

Although I kind of agree with this I do think our climate has changed so much we don't really get a proper winter, but yet some horses still grow a coat like a yak and I do think alot of horses would benefit from not being so hairy.

So if you think it would benefit your horse why not clip.

 

[GreyDot]

Can you walk and lead him from your other horse to get some exercise? If he takes to it you can do hill work and longer hacks.

 

[peanutsmumma]

Can you walk and lead him from your other horse to get some exercise? If he takes to it you can do hill work and longer hacks.

My other horse is a youngster and although 90% of the time he is well behaved, there is that 10% when life is very exciting!!
I'm not sure how they would be together if that moment happened when i was leading!

 

[meleeka]

I’ve never found clipping to help with weight loss. I find they just tend to be more greedy to compensate. I think exercise is better. Can you spread his hay ration out further or move water so he is further away from it when eating?

 

[Fabel]

I would not clip a horse which is not in work. No point.

You have clearly never come across a cushings horse that sweats just standing in a stable then. Clipping is individual just like rugging is

 

[peanutsmumma]

I’ve never found clipping to help with weight loss. I find they just tend to be more greedy to compensate. I think exercise is better. Can you spread his hay ration out further or move water so he is further away from it when eating?

His hay and water are opposite ends of the track and i have 2 posts with haynets on

 

[ponynutz]

To be honest I always prefer to clip, partly just to avoid malting season in spring. Clipping does help to lose weight in my opinion but you have to be a bit hardy bc it requires you leaving them to shiver a little bit. I've never done it personally bc I'm too much of a baby over my girl but have seen it done quite effectively (only with a full clip though).

 

[Nudibranch]

I'd do bib and belly but no more. We are forecast some horrible cold next week so they'll still need some protection.
Yes to keeping them on the cooler side but there are limits even for natives!

 

[Polos Mum]

I've already clipped my fatty and will have to do another one again soon. Irish clip so his back and bum still yack like.

IMHO every lost calorie is worth it - it won't make the weight fall off him but equally neither will the odd in hand walk around the block.

Mine doesn't shiver - but just uses a touch more energy to keep nice and toastie.

There is an old fashioned human weight loss advice that suggests taking a blanket off your bed and loose weight in your sleep - so the theory works for people too.

 

[Chuffy99]

You could drive him?