to clip or not to clip

[dcp]

Hi, Don't want to hijack any threads so started my own. I rode my horse for 20 minutes mainly in walk last night although did a tiny bit of trot. When I untacked him he was a little sweaty under the girth. I've noticed with just a small amount of work he gets sweaty there. Will he need clipped? I mainly ride (hacking) at the weekends although recently I've started riding a bit at night but I usually lunge 2/3 times a week. Also will he get anymore hair coming through? If I do clip him how often will it need done?

He is a 12 yr old TB.

Thanks

[iloveshearer]

you could give him a bib clip but he would definatly need rugging and it would need redoing again before the end of the winter

[chickflick1066]

Errm, does he take a while to cool down if he's sweaty?

I ride my fat and hairy mare 3 to 4 x a week schooling/lunging/small jumps from about 15mins to no longer than 45mins and at the weekend we like to get at least one fast canter in:p

Of course she sweats up bucket loads on the hacks but I try to walk the last mile and a bit home on a loser girth and she is left in the yard with some hay, a cooler fleece and some water for at least 30mins before feeding. Stumpy only has a bib and belly - she will only be in a lightweight too.

So basically, I would clip if he's sweating up excessively and taking forever to dry off. I wouldn't clip if he dries quickly.

[Pink's lady]

Its normal for them to sweat under the girth, even with the slightest bit of excerise. I'd wipe the worst off with a damp sponge then chuck a sweat rug on until he's dry

I wouldn't bother giving him a clip unless he starts to get sweaty else where. If he does, just a bib clip, or possibly a really low trace would do.

[Huntress]

Well, my horse usually sweats under his girth all year around (during both summer and winter) and I think that is quite normal. If you exercise them, then they will sweat. ;) I wouldn't clip him if I were you, unless he really is bothered by his wintercoat. You will only have to clip him again, and put a lot of blankets on him...