Should I Clip My Horse Or Not?

As winter approaches, many riders choose to clip their horses and be rid of the dreaded ‘winter fluff’!

- Farryn Day

However, there are a few things to bear in mind before you reach for the clippers.

The emergence of a full winter coat is triggered by the reduced number of daylight hours. In early to mid-summer, the coat is ‘dormant’ (known as the telogen phase). Then, as the days become shorter and the nights become longer, the horse’s coat starts to grow (known as the anagen phase) until his full winter coat has set in. Horses and ponies can also adapt to their environment – growing a thicker winter coat in places that have colder winters, and a sleeker coat in hotter, more tropical regions.

Horses and ponies are clipped for a number of reasons, including:

Clipping reduces sweating during exercise. Heavy sweating can affect overall condition.

Clipping allows the horse to cool down more quickly after exercise.

Clipping allows the horse to perform fast work without the added stress of overheating.

With a clipped coat, grooming is far quicker and easier.