Too early to clip?

[pixiebee]

my new forest has turned himself into a mega hairy beast already, to the point of looking like he has got mange as it is all patchy-I am depserate to give him a small clip, to tidy him up a bit (he is in work too!) I have never had to clip this early before? Is it much too early??

 

[Thistle]

We usually fully clip the NFx Sec D eventer in Sept and then trace clip her later on. This way she gets some warmth over her back later on but it's not the full thickness wooly she grows herself.

 

[pixiebee]

hmmm, thats an idea.........

 

[JustInterested]

Not at all if your horse is in work and sweats up when you work him.
I have just done my eventer mare - she ALWAYS grows hair early at the first sign of slightly colder weather, no matter if I rug up or not.
Everytime I rode her she was dripping because it has been quite mild even though wet, so whats worse, having to wash off everytime you ride, therefore long haired horse taking hours to dry so more chance of a chill or clipping and no sweating!

 

[Thistle]

The downside is that her coat never looks as good as it would unclipped at the ends of the hairs are blunt and don't shine as well. However she is more comfortable that way so that's what we do.

 

[pixiebee]

yes I am in debate as to try and clip early and not after december to allow his coat to come through better for the next showing season as I clipped into march this year and his coat was bad all summer!!

 

[Twinkletoes]

Hiya was having the same deliberation about our newfie over the weekend. He atm doesnt work too hard (infact he's having quite an easy life atm) and wont be hunting fit, so we're leaving it a while and rugging up well

 

[miller]

If mine was in full work he would be clipped out already - he's ended up with a couple of weeks off as OH's mare has injured her tendon and will go mad if we take him away so waiting until today to ride him - going to start with OH holding mare at end of school then gradually get her used to him being away from her

will clip at weekend if it works

 

[Abbeygale]

My pony was looking really hairy and was getting really sweaty even on short rides - so I have already clipped her. She is another that puts up winter coat really early, and she gets such a shaggy coat that I always end up clipping her early. She is now looking really shiny and black and has quite obviously benefitted from her hair cut!

 

[eoe]

I normally have to clip one of mine all year round, not good, I have been holding off and just put a thicker rug on to try and keep coats of them all down but have noticed this week that summer coats are coming out in handfuls, so clipping will have to start over the next week or so, normally just take everything out and leave in legs.

 

[SSM]

Donkey still has one more show at the end of the month so is now rugged up completely in an attempt to keep the coat from growing - might have to clip her before then as she does get wooley!

 

[Sprout]

I had to clip one of mine a couple of weeks ago - he is a New Forest, and had put up a great wooly coat and was sweating in work. Normally I dont have to clip him until about October!

 

[Heidi1]

I have a show towards the end of the month and am seriously thinking I am going to be clipping my girl, she's TB, the other TB is still thinking about it, my Welsh D x is like a teddybear... I normally don't have to clip until the end of next month, but looks like I will be doing it sooner rather than later.......

 

[bushbaby28]

mines a fluffy beast at the moment and just waiting 4 somebody who could help me. i've never clipped and as hes a baby i dnt want to scar him 4 life!

 

[Silverspring]

There is no such thing as too early to clip so long as you have the rugs to keep em warm! I'm clipping at the end of this month my girl has started the mammoth coat growing already

 

[MagicMelon]

Too early? I clipped two of mine 2 weeks ago! I always clip very late Aug / beginning of September. But I have clipped mine all year round before - nowadays there isnt really a "right" or "wrong" time to clip. People do it whenever its needed.

 

[pixiebee]

have just got home from the yard-pony fully clipped and looking sooooo much better for it!!
Thanks for the advice!!!