Full Clip For The Summer??

[Colour_Crazy_Gi]

Ok so... I have been debating over this for a few weeks now. I am planning to do a lot with Zola this yar. Try out for the Area Novice Showjumping Team, Camp, Getting into the bigger classes, Hunter trials etc. And already shes coming in from the field sweaty.

Was chatting to a few people at the yard today and they said it was a good idea, but to wait until her winter coat grows out first, which im willing to do.

But, with all this weather changing, and Zola living out, will there be any issues?

Because i quicte frankly think its cruel to not clip her out as she has a heart murmur at rest and i dont want to make it any worse, and she does get VERY hot.

If she gets cold, she can always have her rain sheet on.

Opinions?

x x x x

[Afellpony]

As she has a heart murmer, should you be doing so much with her?

[Colour_Crazy_Gi]

The vet has said its fine as its only at rest.

[Daffy Dilly]

If it wasn't for the fact he isn't allowed to be shown clipped in summer, Daffy would be fully clipped.

[iloveshearer]

My mates pony who does ALOT of work has just been fully clipped :)

[Colour_Crazy_Gi]

Thanks!!

Daffy Dilly: If they were fully clipped so you cant see any lines or where its visible she ahs been clipped, could i still do some local coloured showing?

x x x

[Colour_Crazy_Gi]

Bump... :(

[iloveshearer]

You might get away with it at local shows but i'm pretty sure it'd lose you a few marks.

[CurlyWurlyRach]

im quite tempted to clip Curly out too, there's no shade in the field and all she has to do is flick an ear and she breaks a sweat! Not great when she's on a fittening-up regime that leaves her dripping but still with bags of energy :rolleyes: .

[Herbie's mummy]

Not if your showing-don't clip.
You can always see clip lines....ir by her mane.
But suppose it is for health reasons....if it will benfit her then yes i suppose you could, but the weather can still be drizzly in winter so have your rain sheets at the ready.

[PonyGirlAsh]

I don't know much about the showing rules over there, but i think Zola would appreciate it tremendously if you clipped her! Especially if she is already sweaty while out in the field. I rode an ISH for a long time unclipped (over here, winter is still pretty warm!) and he was a plonker most of the time; I always came off dripping with sweat from trying to get him to move up, and he was dripping with sweat just from sheer heat! once he had a full clip, he was a completely different horse; forward going and definitely happier. So if the weather calls for it, I would do it...if you are going to be a doing a lot with her, I think it's worth it; even if you might get knocked down a couple points. She'll love ya. ;)

[Colour_Crazy_Gi]

Thanks guys!! :D

Herbie: I suppose it doesnt really matter about the showing, i dont think she will enjoy it much =P Lol!! Thanks!! :D

x x x x

[mayoguinness]

If she's out won't she just lose her coat?? Mayo does, he's losing it fast and will soon have his summer coat which is very thin and when it gets cold he grows and looses it as needed:)

[Shadowlark]

Keep in mind, the horses coat is a natural insulator against weather - both ways. Her coat does actually help to keep her cooler, both by aiding the evaporation/cooling process if she is clipped she would actually dry so quickly her sweating wouldn't be anywhere near as effective. It also helps by protecting her from the suns rays that insulating layer it forms can also help to maintain a cooler temp close to the horse then is in the air. Their coats have naturally evolved to help them correctly thermoregulate. People do it to dogs all the time.. he is too hot so I clipped him.. whamo you have a heat stroke case on your hands. It's easy to anthropomorphize and feel that by wearing layers of clothing in summer we are too hot. But think of the protection offered by wearing thin layers that cover you as opossed to a big winter blanket.. huge difference!

Keep in mind guys.. sweating is a GOOD thing!

[Colour_Crazy_Gi]

I see what you mean, but isnt sweating a lot a bad thing??

Mayo - Nope, shes not losing it herself. I have to do that, but it still wont come out!! Lol!!

[mayoguinness]

Really?? Is she rugged though?? It's natural for an animal to sweat and cool off, thats whart they do in the wild, people say put then they get cold when they stop sweating put they don't just stand there and freeze to death, they either shiver to keep warm or run round ;)

[Shadowlark]

Sweating is the bodies natural response to heat. We do it, they do it.. dogs wish they could do it :D

Many toxins in the body are pushed out by sweat - and yes it can lower a horses salt levels, but offering them free choice salts will set that right - they will know when they are feeling low. Free choice water is ovious :)

She would likely be more comfortable with a sweat on her, her body is naturaly cooling itself thru a nice slow evaporation of the water. She would loose this, and the protection from the elements without that coat (not to mention the bugs!)

On super hot days my horses will go roll in the stream to get wetter - for that reason. For the dogs we offer them wet towels - they always choose to take them to escape the heat. With her coat gone she will dry so fast she would just stand there and bake.

[Colour_Crazy_Gi]

Hmm... Im not sure what to do :confused: :confused:

She just gets so hot, and she has no water available to roll in [[she has a trough but she cant roll in it! Lol]]
Wouldnt she be more uncomfortable with less hair. Even if its not all off, like program the clippers to a less thick cut??
She ha spleantly of shade available in her field so she isnt stood with the sun beating directly into her. About 1/2 of her field is in shade.

Mayo - Nope, shes not rugged, i think she'd rip the rug off as soon as poss if i put one on her now!

[connieD]

personally i would go for some elbow grease and get grooming. the coat will come out. if you clip her you are getting ride of some of her natural defence against files. they will be able to land direct on the skin and bite if there is no coat to protect it, you also have to look at things like sun burn on her white areas and the skin drying out as in the sun there will be no hair to keep grease near the skin and keep it moist and health.

in the winter there is no sun and fies so clipping is ok

i would say a definate no no imho. maybe dont overdo it until she sheds her coat. she will do it when shes ready

[Shadowlark]

http://www.naturalhoof.co.nz/covers.html

There's an article that may help.. it talks about winter and summer


oh boy.. trying to look on the Endurance site for more info.. but everything degrades into fights over Elyte loads!

[Colour_Crazy_Gi]

Oh, im going to get her coat out first!! But her summer coat is really thick....

[Shadowlark]

just to add.. should have Edited LOL ah well..

Sweat from work outs will help her shed out properly.