Washing horse then riding

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Mole1

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Gonna clip this Sunday but want to wash the ponio first. Got two choices about when to give her a bath and wondered what you'd do. I can either
- Bath her Saturday lunchtime pop her in her stable (rug/no rug) til Sunday morning then clip first thing before riding
Or
- give her a bath Sunday morning ride to dry her off then clip after riding

I'm edging toward the Saturday lunchtime bath but don't want to rug in the stable as she is sweaty in the stable at nites without a rug on and wld probably overheat. But also not sure about leaving a horse that I've just washed (with cold water) without any kind of rug on. Argh! Help! Last year I washed, rode (warm her up and dry her off) then clipped.
 
I have never, ever washed a horse before clipping, and I used to clip a lot on the SJ yard where I worked. Some people seem to think it is necessary, which I don't really understand. My clips were always nice and even as it was. What makes more sense to me is to clip the horse THEN bath it, as that way you can really get rid of all the scurf and all the stray hairs too. Plus the horse will dry quickly.
 
Whereas I much prefer a washed horse to clip. I'm vaguely allergic to horses so washing them seems to make clipping more bearable with no grease or dust. FWIW I really like the dermoline pre-clip shampoo as it rinses very well.
Plus I really think it makes a difference to how long your blades last between sharpening, but perhaps I just have particularly minging horses.

I always hot cloth afterwards to pick up loose hairs.

OP, i think it's your choice, just as long as you can be sure that she'll be dry by the afternoon if you wash on Sunday morning. I'd question that unless the weather is lovely.... probably less hassle to wash on saturday if you still want to.
 
I wouldn't try to clip a horse after riding, they'll be too sweaty and the clippers will catch. Have you not got a thin fleece you can use? I've got a clipped horse and she's still wearing a fleece, she won't go into stable rugs until it cools down to under 7 degrees overnight.
 
I always try and wash ponio before her first clip as her coat is so thick. It makes for a much smoother clip and my clipper blades last longer. Subsequent clips she just gets a really good brush as the hair is shorter.

Just a little worried about stabling straight after a bath with no rug.
 
I wash before clipping not for the horses sake but for the clippers, you wear the blades out quicker if there is grit//dust etc, you may as well sand paper them.
 
Mole1 said:
Just a little worried about stabling straight after a bath with no rug.
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Unless we suddenly get freezing temps or your stable is particularly exposed, she will be fine even if you don't have a lightweight sheet or cooler to put on her. Give her plenty of hay and she will dry from the heat generated inside her tum :)
 
milliepops said:
Unless we suddenly get freezing temps or your stable is particularly exposed, she will be fine even if you don't have a lightweight sheet or cooler to put on her. Give her plenty of hay and she will dry from the heat generated inside her tum :)
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I think you are right and she'll be fine. She's that woolly I doubt I'll even get down to her skin when I wash her anyhow haha!
 
If you're going to bath her, I'd do it the day before!

if you ride after she will still get sweaty and probably come back with dirty under her tummy!

I've always clipped without bathing before, even on my mare with cushings and her coat was about 2 inches long and the clippers went straight through it!
 
Batgirl said:
I wash before clipping not for the horses sake but for the clippers, you wear the blades out quicker if there is grit//dust etc, you may as well sand paper them.
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I can't say I've noticed that being a problem. I was clipping a lot of horses and our blades still seemed to last well.
 
Good groom before hand then I'm a washer after clipping but with hot water! If you only have cold water I'd do it the night before and put fleece on for an hour or so and see how she is. If is has access to hay/hayledge to keep generating heat she'll quickly dry and stay warm over night naked the clip before riding. Lunge for 10 mins first if needed 😊
 
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