Would clipping now affect the summer coat?

[haras]

Question in title...

I have a 20 year old gelding who has a very thick long winter coat. Generally, it takes until June to come out and is just horrid. As he has a trace clip, it also means I can't really show him, as he still has clip lines.

So, would it be ok to fully clip him, say this weekend and rug him really well, while it is still so cold? He's in at night, but is a poor doer.

 

[Snowysadude]

Im no expert at all but I would say it probably would - is he moulting as that is a sign that the summer coat is already coming through. Saying that I clipped my cob all year round and he always grew a great summer coat multiple times in a year (before I then clipped it all off again as he got too hot!)

 

[ameeyal]

I have a very hairy pony that clings on to his winter coat, well last week i took the plunge and clipped his whole body except legs, {i was thinking the whole time " i souldnt be doing this"} any way he looks beautiful so im going to see how it turns out. Go for it.

 

[Sadiemay]

I believe it would theoretically as the summer coat will be coming through already.

However are'nt alot of show horses clipped year round? So I think it would be OK.

I think I clipped my girl around April a couple of years ago (when diagnosed with Cushings, her coat just wasnt shedding) and her summer coat came through OK as far as I could see.

I would go for it

Sadiemay

 

[Shay]

All clipping does now is mean that any bits of summer coat would have a blunt end rather than a pointed end. (Think shaving your legs...) If you clip a pattern like a trace or blanket then remnants of that may remain visible if you have a very thin summer coat. (Although you can resolve that with a bit of coat polishing.) If you do a full clip then there are no differences to be seen.

It might possibly make a difference at the very top levels of showing - although I think Sadiemay is right and some show horses are clipped tear round anyway. For lower levels than that I would go for your horse's comfort first and showing second!

As to will he be alright clipped even though its cold? Yes. You may need to rug him up a bit more, but he'll be fine. I have a cob clipped out all year round and he is one of these lads who really feels the cold. You have to look at your horse and how he responds to temperature not what everyone else is rugging in. But other than that they do fine. Dig out your heavy weight rugs and go for it. (I'm doing both mine today.)