Why are people so against clipping horses

[maya2008]

You can clip if you want to... I try to avoid it but the Shetland has to be done for welfare reasons (too hot!). The rest I leave if I can as it saves on rugs so costs me less. Up to everyone else what they do!

 

[poiuytrewq]

I’ve never met anyone anti clipping, I’ve been questioned by non horsey people as to why my horse is clipped in winter (which to be fair if you don’t know probably does seem odd!) after explaining the sweat and cooling down they all get it though.
Personally I’m anti as it’s the worst job in the world and I’m allergic ?
New horse so far appears not to know it’s winter and hasn’t got enough to clip which I’m very happy about!

 

[SOS]

I’ve already clipped my horse three times this winter and it should of been four but lockdown/lameness halted that. I start early as we start autumn hunting in September and as soon as they start struggling to dry I take it off. Nothing worse than being on a dripping sweat-wet horse standing on top of a freezing hill!

I always tend to full clip my horses as they are hunting which means they sweat all over some days and it’s so much easier to be able to wash the whole horse off thoroughly and know they can dry. I then just rug accordingly, which i also find easier with everything off.

I also always take full faces off unless the horse is in very light work. Two reasons: more aesthetically pleasing and (more importantly) they sweat a lot, if being worked, on their face and hate the build up of sweat and grime they can get where the bridle is if the thick winter coat is left on. Can’t be the most comfortable thing to be sweating on long hair even when cleaned thoroughly after.

ALSO I hate when you bath them and all the hair gets stuck to your hand...or just moulting in general... another reason ?

 

[Annagain]

I think non-horsey people don't understand the welfare reasons for clipping and see it as an aesthetic / fashion thing like dying dogs' coats or painting their nails and that's where any non-horsey opposition comes from.

So many news stories (the Daily Mail in particular) are taken from social media without really understanding / researching them and then they're spread to even more people who don't understand them. Social media has made the lay-person more aware of all these practices and they have lumped them all together. I remember seeing one story where someone had clipped a horse to look like a dragon - with no explanation that the horse would be clipped anyway - and people were horrified that someone would do that to an animal for their own amusement. Despite several comments from horse owners explaining he was clipped for his own good and the pattern was just a bit of embellishment, people were sticking to their uneducated guns.

As someone who screwed up an apron clip the other day, I admire the skill required for a clip like that but it's not my cup of tea, I can just about live with a heart on a bum for a kids' pony.

 

[MagicMelon]

Its up to the owner what they do, ultimately it doesnt matter but I find it a bit weird when some people clip for no reason other than because they think their horse looks smarter / is easier to groom. I think you should only clip if you need to for exercise (or veterinary etc.). And so many people seem to clip everything off, whereas Id always try to do the minimum if possible. But hey, its up to the person. I guess to non-horsey people it looks a bit weird and doesnt make much sense to them?

 

[RachaelJC]

I wasn't going to clip mine this year as he spends most of his time out and I felt it better that he have his coat and get a sponge down after more strenuous exercise than clipping and rugging.

However, after taking him naked on a 20 minute journey in a horsebox with six windows open and a roof vent, he was so sweaty on arrival I decided to clip. He's no trouble to travel and was quietly munching his jay, so wasn't anxiety related. He just wasn't comfortable and his skin is sensitive if you don't wash every bit of sweat off him.

I took the son of one of my friends to the yard last week and he couldn't get why people clipped in winter. In the end he accepted my reasoning but still didn't understand!

 

[Kaylum]

My clyde was clipped all year round. Ridden everyday got very hot even though he was fit. He would have a full clip and he was a lot more comfortable for it.

 

[jenniehodges2001]

Its up to the owner what they do, ultimately it doesnt matter but I find it a bit weird when some people clip for no reason other than because they think their horse looks smarter / is easier to groom. I think you should only clip if you need to for exercise (or veterinary etc.). And so many people seem to clip everything off, whereas Id always try to do the minimum if possible. But hey, its up to the person. I guess to non-horsey people it looks a bit weird and doesnt make much sense to them?

That is exactly my way of thinking too. I always used to do the minimum clip to get away with waiting hours for my horse to dry from being ridden.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

have to agree with this. if the animal is cared for in its individual needs then I don't see why it matters tbh. I can't cope with the hair come moulting time as I'm allergic to horses so am always tempted to clip everything out in January, whether in work or not

I can't stand the moult either mine get a full clip January or even February it's never done them any harm.

 

[pansymouse]

I clip for welfare reasons - she's a hot horse and get uncomfortable even on gentle potter round the block if I don't take her neck, chest and belly off. She lives out all winter with the minimum of rugging.

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

But if it does no harm, then where is the harm?

I used to be on livery with a women who never rode her horse (but it was ridden once or twice a week, at walk only, by a friend). The horse was the most beautifully turned out animal on the yard. It was her pride and joy and was groomed within an inch of its life. Every bit of mud was brushed off daily. The mane and tail beautifully pulled, and a light clip given every winter. The woman took enormous pride in her horse - and I see absolutely nothing wrong in that.

My dog is also clipped and primped every four weeks. 1. because she needs that attention to her coat, and 2. because I like her looking smart.

And whilst some of us may roll our eyes at a traditional poodle cut, it’s a result of what the dogs were traditionally used for. So it’s always useful to know what the basis is for a particular breed standard cut before criticising. But of course, again, if an owner is taking pride in their animal who are we to criticise?

This, in spades. Weird grooming art on dogs is not my thing but as an ex Standard Poodle owner I can tell you that the coat is horrific is not groomed correctly.
Horses are all different, I don't see the harm if the horse is cared for appropriately. I'd sooner spend my energy trying to deal with neglectful and down right cruel owners for the benefit of the horse that get a bee up my arse about a clipped horse. There are far, far worse things that happen to horses
Mine are currently unclipped and un rugged. I will clip and/or rug if I feel it's needed.
Mine are not "barefoot"....they are unshod ??

 

[fetlock]

Just noticed on Facebook that someone local to me who acquired a miniature pony in the summer has just fully clipped it, and has also fully clipped the foal, which was a late foal and so just about six months old.
They're mini ponies of the mini Shetland x something else variety so didn't quite resemble Yetis.
So why on earth clip either of them, but especially the poor foal?
Prior to clipping they were rugged, inside and outside, with a sun lamp in the stable overnight too.
I'm not against clipping, but in this particular scenario I certainly am.