To clip or not to clip?

[Twilight]

I never normally consider clipping at this time of year but...

His clip from christmas has grown back quite thick and wiry. We are about to start competing XC & dressage. He is getting really hot in the field - he has to have at least a light weight rug on because he is grey and a magnet for mud. I relented one day 2 weeks ago and have only just managed to get him starting to look grey instead of mud coloured after 2 weeks! He also gets really itchy at shedding time to the point last year it was driving him to distraction.

Am I being really mean to consider clipping him? At the mo he has a some what hairy blanket clip. Should I just take the whole lot off to avoid clip lines in his summer coat? Or do I stick with a hairy hot one.

 

[sherlocksgirls]

Ive got the same problem but it may affect his summer coat if you clip now.

 

[kanter]

Take the whole lot off, not convinced it affects the summer coat and does it really matter if it does unless he's doing top showing?

Better that he's comfortable

 

[Cahill]

i agree with kanter.

 

[Twilight]

I guess if I take it off this year and it damages his summer coat I will know better for next year.

 

[Happy2Hack]

I have the same problem with my cob. I clipped her today! She is much happier now

I say clip your horse - I expect he'll feel much better for it!

 

[Thistle]

One of the eventers will be clipped right out this week as she is always slow to lose her coat.

 

[Abbeygale]

I clipped my boy over the weekend due to the same itchy reasons - and he is much happier now!

I have never had a problem with the summer coat after clipping late - I think it is only a problem if you are seriously showing (i.e. not laughing at yourself.....)

 

[Forget_Me_Not]

Just take it all off, I too have never seen a problem with it effecting their summer coats.