should i clip my yearling shetland shannon

[vikkig]

shannon's winter foalie coat will not come out at all, someone told me today that i should clip it out as it doesnt look like she is going to lose it :confused:

should i do this? if i do will she need a rug?

very confused but i have the vet coming to do her id for passport soon and you just cant see anything under all the fluff

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj11/vikkg/DSC01571.jpg

[jenmac_85]

Funny that this has come up as Hamish has hardly lost any of his either. It is coming out when he is groomed, but not as quickly as I had hoped.

The YO suggested just to keep grooming him, but I woudl be interested in replies to this as well.

[vikkig]

i have been using a grooming blade on her and loads of hair is coming out and you can pull handfulls out but then it looks no different apart from on her neck. she must be really hot under it all as well

[scoob&lill]

We are having the same problem,our foalie is rubbing herself raw trying to get some coat out,I have to admit i've took the scissors to her yesterday in her hairest parts:oShe has been coming in thtough the day to get out of the sun as she is cooking alive bless her!Someone mentioned clipping to me but surely it would interfere with summer coats:confused:
x

[poniesrule]

My yearling calli has only just really started to shed her foal coat, but it took a lot of curry combing and pulling chunks out by hand, especially over her back end!!

[mogadoga]

Nooooooooo leave it!!!! It will come out eventually, but id leave her with her baby fluff! xx

[ashlingm]

i wouldnt, because she is young and shes not getting worked so no need to take it off.

just keep grooming her and it should come out soon enough...other wise if you do HAVE to clip her (ie. shes sweating in the field from the sun) then use a coarse set of blades. it will leave her with a summer length coat...

[vikkig]

Nooooooooo leave it!!!! It will come out eventually, but id leave her with her baby fluff! xx

it will not budge, when i am trying to "pluck her" she nearly falls over, feel free to come and do some grooming of her, i had all the school kids doing it today and still no difference. :(

[laceyfreckle]

my filly's the same, although i'm tempted to leave her, but she has a thick foal coat the same thickness still as my other mare's winter coat which has all but gone now.

Piccolo is getting hot but i'm loathed to clip unless i have to.
Piccolo was passported with her foal coat on and all went well.

At what age do foal coats normally shed?

[varkie]

We breed shetlands, and I can assure you this is totally normal for yearlings - yearlings always grow absolutely HORRID coats that first year. They always take forever to come out, and you do feel sorry for the poor mites, but you have to just persevere! Keep brushing with metal toothed grooming combs, and using your hands to pull it out, and you'll eventually get there.

[joanne1920]

Hiya, personally i wouldnt clip as it will affect ther summer coat coming through underneath it and when it does come through, you may be able to see that she has been clipped late.
The increased daylight hours may help the coat come out, does she live out?
If not maybe worth leaving her out 24/7 in the field with shelter at the hottest part of the day.
Speak to your vet when s/he comes and see what they say.

I remember Tillys coat being really thick when i had her as a baby and she looked very moth eaten for several months whilst it came out.

this is her as 2 year old...
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q144/joanne1920/tillyshow5.jpg

good luck with the coat x

[kturner]

I asked another livery at my yard that today, as her shetland has not lost it as quick as the other horses and ponies. He is rather tufty all over.

He is 10yrs and she said he always keeps his coat longer than the others and it will come out eventually.

Looks like everyone above this posts says the same thing.

[Wally]

Nah, don't bother, I bet it is in great big felted mats, hanging off her like baubles!

Don't worry it will come out eventually, our lot are still in their winter tats.

[DaizeeDawg]

I was thinking about clipping my wee guy too. He is now out 24/7 and gets really hot in the field and even when it isn't really sunny as soon as he plays and runs around he gets hot over his chest and shoulders. He like a wee fluffy bear, shedding blade does work a wee bit.....but so slow....and I hate seeing him hot and bothered....

Exactly what effect does clipping late have on the summer coat?? Does clipping at this stage cause the horse a problem?

Or....does it just make the summer coat look a bit odd.

If the decision to not clip is based on the yearling looking a bit funny for the first summer I would rather clip and have him look silly but be comfortable!

Advice from experienced clippers welcomed!!!

[vikkig]

many thanks for the reply, i have groomed for ages again today and she still looks no different. not sure what to do now :( still unsure if i would need a rug if i did clip her however like people said it will come out sometimes should i hang on :confused:

might leave it a week or two to see what happens.

[shandy84]

colder wetter weather is on the way so I wouldn't clip as she will be uncomfortable or need rugging, it will come out in its own time, all my youngsters kept their baby fluff for ages, my section a and nf filly are still nice and fluffy :rolleyes: