To clip or not to clip?

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wench

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I have a competition this weekend, which will be quite hard work for pony, which means she will be sweating a fair old bit.

Due to my circumstances this week, and the weather, she will be ridden most days this week, in the evenings, which will also involve her being a bit sweaty.

She will be turned away for the winter in a couple of weeks time, she is out 24/7 now, and I don't have any lw turnouts with necks on.

If I clipped her, it would be a bit of belly off, and a underside of neck, but I really can't make my mind up if it needs doing or not? She's not a very hairy Mary atm, but starting to moult
 
I hate the clipping decision every year, to clip or not to clip that is the question, almost Shakespear, if I clip too early it means clipping 3 times over the season, also it means agonizing decisions on rugging, BBC weather is as reliable as a dodgy thermostatic shower, so 7.00 am take rug off warm pony in the cold because it might get hot by afternoon, decisions decisions decisions...
 
I had to do a full clip on Saturday as my cob was dripping just from a minor hack and we were eventing the next day. He seemed to have grown a full coat overnight. Sunday he was so much happier - he has a little rainsheet on now and will move to 50g as it gets colder.
 
I decided this weekend not to do daughters horse. I was clipping his legs and giving him a spruce up for a competition and was very tempted. Decided however if I did it would probably only last weeks with winter hair starting to come through and I'd be needing to do him again. However if your turning away for winter this will work to your benefit!
 
I fully clipped my oldie yesterday (less legs). He was very warm in the muggy weather we had last week.

He looked far happier immediately, and even in the light, but persistent, rain that we had all day it was still very mild and I won't rug him overnight until it's below 10 degrees or very wet/windy.

I will need to clip him again in about a month though, and probably 3 more times until spring.
 
Pedantic said:
I hate the clipping decision every year, to clip or not to clip that is the question, almost Shakespear, if I clip too early it means clipping 3 times over the season, also it means agonizing decisions on rugging, BBC weather is as reliable as a dodgy thermostatic shower, so 7.00 am take rug off warm pony in the cold because it might get hot by afternoon, decisions decisions decisions...
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I used to agonise every year, it was a nightmare spring and autumn with sweaty ponies, the right weight rugs, .... UNTIL last year I bought a Bucas Power rug - BRILLIANT!!! You can apparently use from -16 to +16 and because it's a wicking rug you can put straight on a sweaty horse so it's just fab. I don't use it all year round (many do), but as a spring and autumn rug it's invaluable.
 
Trishh said:
I used to agonise every year, it was a nightmare spring and autumn with sweaty ponies, the right weight rugs, .... UNTIL last year I bought a Bucas Power rug - BRILLIANT!!! You can apparently use from -16 to +16 and because it's a wicking rug you can put straight on a sweaty horse so it's just fab. I don't use it all year round (many do), but as a spring and autumn rug it's invaluable.
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Thanks :-) So do you just buy the one, no different weights etc ?
 
Pedantic said:
Thanks :-) So do you just buy the one, no different weights etc ?
Click to expand...

There is the original power (which I have), and the thicker extra rug ... but you can't use that in such a range of temperatures. So I use the Power for Spring and Autumn, and the Bucas Irish rug when it gets below about 8. Love being able to put the sweaty horse back in the field and not worrying about changing rugs. Both mine lived out all year round last year with just the power and the Irish.
 
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