As the weather gets cooler it might be time to consider clipping your horse this winter. Body clipping a horse takes away the majority of their winter coat, in doing this can affect your horse in a positive or negative way so it’s a good idea to do some research before going for the clippers.
Health Issues
A common reason people clip is because their horse has some sort of health concern that would make a body clip the best choice. Horses with metabolic diseases such as cushings grow extremely thick coats. Other health issues may include a history of heat exhaustion or heat stroke as well as issues related to an inability to regulate body temperature. By clipping horses with these issues you can drastically change how well the horse will fair in the winter.
Environment
The climate your horse lives in can play a huge factor in whether or not you should clip them. Horses in cold climates generally need their full winter coat to be able to handle the temperatures. The opposite could be said about horses in warmer weather. Horses in warmer weather may not need all that extra warmth and leaving them with a winter coat could lead to health issues. If the weather is very wet it might be worth considering clipping your horse to allow the fur to dry quicker and not hold onto so much moisture.
Winter Riding
Consider your horse’s work out schedule. Cooling out a horse during the winter takes longer than it normally would because their winter coat holds onto the moisture from sweat. A horse in work may need a body clip to allow their sweat to dry faster without getting too cold. Competing during the winter is a huge reason to clip. It’s considered the norm to have your horse clipped and tidy looking when entering the show ring in the winter.
Clipping is no easy decision but it’s important to be educated on why you are considering clipping your horse this winter.