A Guide Concerning How To Clip Your Pony
If your pony is in work then you need to consider whether you want to clip them for the months of winter. Clipping is not essential in all cases however it helps to ensure your horse remains comfortable.
You must consider clipping if your horse gets hot and sweaty during exercise. If your pony grows a thick coat they might break out into a sweat with even a small amount of work. It'll then take a long time to dry them off after exercise and so they are more likely to get a chill as they cool down. This also presents a problem from a management point of view as any rugs that you put on will sponge up the water and then the pony will be wearing a moist rug.
By clipping your horse it implies you can exercise them more rigorously and at any time of the day without needing to worry about leaving sufficient time for them to dry. If you are going to be competing or hunting over the cold winter months then not only will clipping make your horse more at ease and easier to look after but they'll also look smarter.
There are several different types of clip you can give your pony depending on their workload. These range from a trace clip which involves removing a bit of hair, to a full clip which removes all the hair from the head, body and legs. Many people choose a blanket clip which leaves the hindquarters covered or a hunter clip which leaves a patch under the saddle and leaves the hair on the legs. This is better if your pony is going to be turned out.
It is your decision when you clip your pony and how frequently. Many of us will start to clip from Sep onwards however some prefer to wait until Nov or perhaps December to avoid needing to clip too frequently. This will rely on your horse's workload and how thick their coat is.
It is really important to recollect that if you're removing your horse's winter coat then you need to be certain they're warm enough. Their fur gives them defence against the elements and keeps them warm and cozy, you should replace this with turnout and stable rugs as obligatory and when exercising you may want to consider using an exercise sheet if only walking or not working diligently enough for the pony to get fully warmed up. Exercise sheets can be fleece to keep them warm in cold weather or waterproof to keep the rain off.
If you are going to clip your pony yourself you should invest in some heavy duty clippers and ensure you get your blades sharpened regularly as blunt blades will tug on the hair and will make it uncomfortable for the horse.
You must consider clipping if your horse gets hot and sweaty during exercise. If your pony grows a thick coat they might break out into a sweat with even a small amount of work. It'll then take a long time to dry them off after exercise and so they are more likely to get a chill as they cool down. This also presents a problem from a management point of view as any rugs that you put on will sponge up the water and then the pony will be wearing a moist rug.
By clipping your horse it implies you can exercise them more rigorously and at any time of the day without needing to worry about leaving sufficient time for them to dry. If you are going to be competing or hunting over the cold winter months then not only will clipping make your horse more at ease and easier to look after but they'll also look smarter.
There are several different types of clip you can give your pony depending on their workload. These range from a trace clip which involves removing a bit of hair, to a full clip which removes all the hair from the head, body and legs. Many people choose a blanket clip which leaves the hindquarters covered or a hunter clip which leaves a patch under the saddle and leaves the hair on the legs. This is better if your pony is going to be turned out.
It is your decision when you clip your pony and how frequently. Many of us will start to clip from Sep onwards however some prefer to wait until Nov or perhaps December to avoid needing to clip too frequently. This will rely on your horse's workload and how thick their coat is.
It is really important to recollect that if you're removing your horse's winter coat then you need to be certain they're warm enough. Their fur gives them defence against the elements and keeps them warm and cozy, you should replace this with turnout and stable rugs as obligatory and when exercising you may want to consider using an exercise sheet if only walking or not working diligently enough for the pony to get fully warmed up. Exercise sheets can be fleece to keep them warm in cold weather or waterproof to keep the rain off.
If you are going to clip your pony yourself you should invest in some heavy duty clippers and ensure you get your blades sharpened regularly as blunt blades will tug on the hair and will make it uncomfortable for the horse.
About the Author:
KW Saddlery is your premier site for all things equestrian incuding tips on horse care
Custom Search