to clip or not to clip?

[Christmas_Kate]

I've noticed a few of the bigger (unrugged out at night) horses have dropped weight recently due to the chilly nights. Wish ponio would!!

anyway, I've had him clipped out all summer, because it makes him more comfy and on those chilly nights he's moved round more and burn off calories

.

he'll be due to come in soon for the winter season, will be stabled at night and out in the day whenever possible (anything between 4 and 7 days a week).

so, do i clip him for the winter? If I clip him it means on the cold nights he WILL need rugs, and will need a lightweight maybe medium weight rug in the field. (Depending on how he keeps his weight).
If I don't he's likely to pile on the lbs, will be harder to keep clean, and sweats up in work.

He's hacked a few days a week, so in light work. Will only be being fed hay and high fibre cubes and Happy Hoof. (cubes in his playball because he's destructive and happy hoof because he gets upset if the others get food and he doesnt).

decisions...

 

[Starbucks]

I'm not sure it's very fair on the chap to clip him - purely for the reason that he would be cold so would loose weight!!

Maybe give him a trace clip or something??

 

[Paint it Lucky]

Personally I'd leave him for now and then probably give him a bib and belly or trace clip in a month or two if you find he is getting too sweaty doing work.

 

[serena2005]

agree with others

 

[_Libby_]

Just out of interest what breed, height and age is your horse?

 

[Stinkbomb]

I have the same problem with Ty. He is going to get a belly clip but im leaving the rest on. Inky is just going to be left to become a fur ball he's having the winter off!!!!

 

[dwi]

I'd give him a very low trace clip to leave hair on all the exposed bits but give him a bit of breathing space for when he's being exercised

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

A decision to clip or not is normally made for the comfort of the horse when the amount of work he is likely to do is taken into account. To clip a horse to make it get cold so it will shed weight is certainly not a reason for clipping. Sorry, I don't find the

amusing.

 

[Christmas_Kate]

LOL. He does get really itchy with a full winter coat, that's what i mean by comfort

 

[_Libby_]

You've said your pony will be out 4-7 days and will need rugs "on cold nights???" IMO you cant have a pony standing in during winter clipped out with no rug, the poor bugger will be freezing and certainly alot more uncomfortable than he would be with " his itchy winter coat"

 

[Christmas_Kate]

ie decent rugging on cold nights lol. He wears a fleece all the time when he's in. Not what i'd class as rugging though.

I wouldnt be as stupid as to leave a clipped pony standing in a stable all winter naked.

 

[_Libby_]

Sorry I misunderstood your post then.