Clipping - when should it be done

[Bertie]

I noticed on someone else's thread that they were talking about clipping there horse immenently, now my share gets a very thick coat and she is currently turned out everyday for 12-hours sometimes with a lightweight turnout sometimes without so her coat is doing strange things and getting woolly quite quickly. She also goes very furry :p during the winter, I'm hoping to do some fun rides and maybe the odd farm ride over the winter so she will need to be clipped for these definitely so when am I best doing it.

When are the official clipping dates? Is it OK to clip beforehand?

Can you do fun rides, with jumps in an exercise sheet?

[welshymad]

Hi, because the weather has been so strange this year horses coats have gone very strange. I usually do my first clip october time and my last clip the end of january. you dont want to do your last clip too late as it messes up your horses coat. i wouldnt recommend doing fast work in an exercise sheet or jumps as they tend to flap around and may spook your horse or others. I usually use one to warm up in and to cool down in after work or may use one out hacking when mainly walk n a little bit of trot. hope this helps :)

[Bozzy]

I try and do my first as late as possible but normally it's the end of October and my last is in January. It does depend on the horses coat though, if she's really hairy by the end of Sept then do it then. What sort of clip will you do?

You have reminded me that I need to send my blades away for sharpening!!

[Bertie]

I'm thinking of doing her end of Sept Beginning of Oct this year, I always hack out with an exercise sheet and last year did walk trot and Canter with a sheet, I will though on my fun rides just warm up with it on and cool down with on and make sure I have a variety of rugs ready for the travel home.

I'm going to go for a full clip, with legs left on but face taken off as she's welsh x arab

[Mehitabel]

there aren't any official clipping dates - you do it when your horse is woolly enough to start getting sweaty and uncomfy when worked, and the weather is not conducive to leaving them wet - in summer you can leave them to dry off naturally, but if they are damp and sweaty in cold winter weather they can get chills. sometimes that is october, sometimes january - but this year it;'s looking like it'll be now!

i'd do anything with a sheet on i'd do without, as long as it was securely anchored. i've got a nice one that is shaped round the bum and doesn't tend to flap.

[eventerbabe]

I usually end up clipping late september/october time. My boys haven't had a problem with their coats, even though it's been a bit nippy and very wet they've been out 12 hours without a rug on and still with summer coats.

RE exercise sheets, the equafleece quarter sheet is fab. I've one for toby and jumping/fast hacks and canter work haven't dislodged it. It's also water repellant ;)

[Bertie]

I'm thinking of getting the Mark Todd Sheet this year which looks really good, I just don't want leave it too late to clip, as I'd rather do it a bit early and avoid her getting overly hot and have to rug up well at night and during the day.

[Forever Fern]

Fern gets clipped end of October, December and then End of January. However this year she has always had a bit of a coat this summer, silly weather :rolleyes:
xXx

[Mehitabel]

that#'s the one i've got bertie - thoroughly recommend it.

[Bertie]

Thanks for the recommendation I'll definitely be ordering that one then on Friday (when I get paid ;) ) think I might clip end of September then if her coat warrants it and just monitor how sweaty she's getting closely on rides etc, she normally gets sponges off or hosed down if she's particularly bad. sweat scraped and if weather permits chucked straight out after for a good roll and to dry off in the sun but has the weather is getting worse this is going to be less and less likely :(

[coyote]

mmmmm i usually do first clip early oct and last clip end of feb,although nelly's first ever clip was in march as i couldnt stand all the damn hair falling out,he was only 2yrs bless him and he didnt bat an eyelid,he fell asleep,but god all that HAIR!!!!!!
BEFORE!!!:eek:
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t209/coyotegreyhounds/Image065.jpg
AFTER!!!:D
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t209/coyotegreyhounds/Image007.jpg

[GemmaA]

I don't listen to all the old tales about the dates. We clip when they need it, and will clip all year round if something is competing and too hairy!