Would you clip to help with weight loss?

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Jericho

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As title really! For those who have overweight ponies/horses and are growing thick hairy coats, would you consider clipping in, say, a bib style, and not rugging so that the horse uses more energy (i.e. fat!) to keep warm?

NB I dont mean full clip out in wet and windy weathers 24/7....
 
yes - IMHO an over weight horse = serious health issues and if i could not get their weight off by controlling intake/exersise alone i'd consider clipping
have you tried the paddock paradise system? (or fatty track as i call it) wored really well with my fattie - just a track round the outside of the field instead of a tiny paddock - encourages movement - far better IMHO than restricting movement in a tiny patch - more movemetn = more weight loss :)
 
Hmmm I do sometimes limit my rugging especially in the spring/summer so the horse is keeping warm itself and not storing unnecessary fat, but really firstly it should be treated like any other overweight human/animal and put on a strict excerise/feeding programme that is suitable to its needs first a foremost. Prevention is better than cure and really the weight should be managed before it gets to a point of needing to clip off to loose weight.
 
Yes, did so yesterday. H/W cob grows a coat that would centrally heat a school. He's on good grazing, won't muzzle him, so along with daily exercise, the nakedness should help.He does need clipping anyway to stop him getting chills as coat is so thick. Does have plenty of shelter too, he won't be left exposed to freeze.
 
I clipped my fatty 2 weeks ago for that reason but then the weather was so awful and he was so miserable that I rugged him. I'm not sure about this whole freezing weight off thing. I mean, think about how miserable we all get if wet and cold. I know weight is an issue (mine isn't sound so can't be worked) but surely restricted grazing is kinder? I'm going to wait and see what happens in the winter but have sold his fat friend so this will be an issue as hate them on their own.
 
I think mine are more miserable if they have restricted grazing - they get bored, more likely to fight, and the other option of standing in for hours with little/no food is no fun at all.

I clip to help weight loss, on the basis that they can move about a bit more if they are chilly. They don't feel the cold quite like we do, although I obviously wouldn't clip and leave out rugless on a wet, windy, freezing night - even I have my limits :)
 
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