To clip or not to clip ? very hairy light work

[JLD]

any advice or ideas gratefully received. My 16.3 IDX is VERY hairy, he is in very light work - hacking twice weekly turned out during day in at night. I was hoping to leave him unclipped and only rug lightly as I think that is better for him but even hacking in walk he comes back soaked in sweat and then I cant turn him out for hours as it is so cold and he doesnt move around much in the field, he takes hours to dry even with wicking rugs and walking in hand. I have given him an low bib and belly clip but it hasnt helped. Should I clip and rug even if in light work ? or just leave as is and not turn out on his ridden days ( I hate him not going out ) ??

 

[dalesslave]

clip. Horses that are dry not creamy and lathered tend to not feel the cold as much. hair will grow back. rug him up and let him have some freedom. until saturday night my horse (hunter clipped but rugged dales ) and his two tb type companions (unclipped but not much hair anyway, rugged) chose to stay out on very high ground although they did have plenty of hay and shelter. snow about 7 inches deep. They did chose to come in when snow reached a foot and a half!!!

 

[Leg_end]

Yep I would clip too. Just make sure he is well rugged, warm and dry and he has access to plenty of forage to keep that hind gut moving.

 

[luckilotti]

if hes getting sweaty with the work he is currently in - clip.
very often i have to clip my shetland - who isnt in work - purely as he gets sweaty pits just from walking about. Its the fairest thing IMO.

 

[Shazzababs]

Definately clip.

 

[Joyous70]

Clip - my boy is hunter clipped and in light work i clip him because he gets so very sweaty with his thick coat and i don't have the time to wait around for him to dry.