Would this work in winter?

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NativePonyLover

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So, my pony is *terrified* of clippers and although we are working hard to desensitise him, he is beginning to grow a winter coat faster then he will be ready to accept being clipped.

He won't do as much work as he does now, but ideally would like to continue lightly schooling (as he is green) and hacking at the weekends.

Obviously, my concern is fluffy native pony will sweat - I won't work him until he is on his knees and foaming, but realistically he will get warm and don't want to risk a chill. I would lightly sponge him around the saddle/girth area and then thinking of a cooler.

Would a cooler like a Thermatex or Bucas help to stop him getting a chill after being ridden of an evening when he has to be stabled overnight? Or will it just make him hotter and hotter (and thus sweatier)?

Thanks :)
 
Could you start rugging him now to stop coat growing so much? Just lightly.

I would worry about him breaking out after working. I had a mare that used to break out ( in sweat) about an hour after being cooled down. Always worried about colic,
 
me&Harvey said:
Couldn't you get the vet to sedate him to clip?

I have to do that with H as he is scared of them as well.
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..would cost a blimmin' fortune everytime you wanted to clip your horse!

It seems the days are gone when we would hunt our unclipped ponies then turn 'em out as they were, still slightly steaming to roll it all away...!

You could thatch your pony, we did that too, back in the days....:D
 
As long as you cool him down properly after working, he should be fine. Don't put him away til he feels cool to the touch and has a normal resting respiratory rate, and he shouldn't suffer any ill effects from being slightly damp. You can rub with a towel/straw to get him as dry as possible if you want - but really, he should be fine.

I used to hunt hairy ponies as a kid, and we'd hack home to cool them off, take their tack off and chuck them out in the field - same as DS. They rolled like mad, plastered themselves in mud, and were absolutely fine.
 
Thanks for your input :)

I wouldn't be so worried if he was a little sweaty and could be turnex out - but he would be in overnight.

I would personally rather not sedate to clip just yet, as think it wouldn't help him in the long run and he has come so far on his own. But, I certainly see your point :)
 
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