Body Clipping Tips for Horses
How many horse folks out there are enjoying the cooler weather? I for one love it, and so does my horse. But, the cooler weather definitely brings new challenges for horse owners like me. Suddenly, I find myself the proud owner of a “woolly mammoth” during the fall and winter months-despite riding even more!
It happens so quickly too. Go a few days mid September without seeing my little buddy and travel out to the barn planning to ride and enjoy the nice weather to find my guy looking “fuzzy wuzzy” despite the mild temperature! So, I ride anyway, just a leisurely hack to find him huffing and puffing after finishing and sweating like crazy. With all that fuzz, it takes forever to dry him out too- which is essential because a horse not properly cooled and dried out can get sick and catch a nasty cold, can't have that! Hence the delima faced by many horse owners this time of year- to body clip or not to body clip?
Before getting "gung-ho" with the clippers and stripping your boy or girl down for your grooming convenience, you need to ask yourself some questions. First, there are several different styles of clipping and you should choose the one that best meets your horse's needs. Don’t be tempted to “take it all off” early in the Fall season for your grooming convenience! This may cause some BIG problems later in the winter for your trusty steed if you're not prepared to provide appropriate blanketing! Although your horse may “look” better to you and be easier to groom with all that fuzz gone, if you are planning to turn your horse outside during the fall/winter months you will have to blanket your horse appropriately. Be prepared to have a system in place using a lightweight sheet, antisweat sheet, and heavier blanket. Depending on the type of clip you choose, you may also need to invest in a blanket hood, a blanket with a belly band, and leg wraps- quite the fashion collection!
Your blanketing system also means a plan for:what goes on, to come off during warmer daytime temps! Be ready to remove blankets/sheets when necessary or have a system in place where your barn help does so! You don't want your horse standing outside in 70 degree temps with a warm blanket on! They will start to sweat underneath which can cause big problems too!
If you do heavy riding during Fall and Winter like I do, and your horse grows a furry coat and sweats often during exercise, you will probably find that some form of a body clip will help make your horse more comfortable. Some questions to ask yourself to determine if you need to clip are:
- Does your horse sweat too little or too much during various times of the year?
- What type of riding do you do during cooler months, heavy work, medium, light?
- Do you find your horse sweating and taking a long time to cool out and dry after riding?
- Is your horse stabled or turn-out out primarily?
- Can you provide adequate blanketing dependent on the weather for your horse? This includes not just putting a blanket on during cool evenings, but taking off during warmer daytime temps or switching from a blanket to sheet?
Once thinking about the questions above, if you’ve decided to take the plunge, you’ll have to decide on what “type” of clip best fits your situation. Of course, there are many options. I’d recommend doing the “lightest” clip possible, testing it out, and then taking more off accordingly. Once the “fuzz” is gone, it’s gone, and you’re responsible for keeping your horse comfortable- meaning more work blanketing! One word of caution even if doing a full clip, is to leave the ear’s fuzzy. Horses need fuzz in their ears during chilly, windy conditions as they have no protection here from the cold. Horses can lose ears to frostbite easily in cold weather!
Here are some examples of body clipping styles to think about:
Photo Source: www.NewRider.comBelly and Neck Clip | Chaser Clip.jpg) |
Trace Clip | Full Clip.jpg) |
Each style shows varying degrees of clipping from least to most hair removed. Remember, horses with most and all taken off will need to remain blanketed at all times during cold weather and their legs may need to be wrapped as well to provide warmth!
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