Like just about everything in the horse world, the answer to that question is … it depends. Your horse’s living environment and management and your personal preference all play a role in deciding whether to clip. Check out these tips or visit SmartPak.com/ClipOrNot for more help deciding whether clipping is right for your horse.
Clip if…
• You or your barn staff can make daily wardrobe changes as needed
• Your horse will be ridden and working up a sweat on a regular basis
• Your horse has access to a stall for shelter
Don’t clip if…
• Your horse needs to wear the same blanket (or no blanket) most of the time
• Your horse is taking it easy this winter and won’t be ridden much
• Your horse is mostly outside in the elements
The Case For Clipping
If your horse regularly works up a sweat in the winter, having a long coat can be troublesome because all that hair can trap sweat and take a long time to dry. As a result, many horse owners pull out the clippers.
However, if you clip your horse, you’re taking away his natural protection, so you’re responsible for replacing it with blankets.
Clipping Patterns
If clipping is the right choice for your horse, you’ll need to choose a clip pattern. It’s not just about style—the clip should suit your horse’s lifestyle and winter workload.
Hair is removed in the most sweat-prone areas—under the neck, chest, and belly.
Ideal for: Horses who are in light to moderate work, and those who spend lots of time outdoors.
Hair is removed from the most sweat-prone areas, but the horse’s topline and legs remain protected.
Ideal for: Horses in moderate work who need more coverage while outdoors.
All of the hair is clipped to reduce cool-out time and keep horses looking show-ring ready.
Ideal for: Horses in heavy work all winter, and those traveling to warmer climates.
A Bit on Blanketing
If you decide to clip your horse, or if your unclipped horse can’t keep warm with his winter coat alone, you’ll need to build his “wardrobe.” For help deciding whether or not to blanket, visit SmartPak.com/ToBlanketOrNot
A sheet (or lightweight blanket) doesn’t have any filling, while a blanket has filling to keep your horse warm. Blankets come in a range of fills, or weights, o ffering di fferent levels of warmth.
Sheets and blankets come in two varieties: turnout and stable. A turnout sheet or turnout blanket is waterproof and designed to be worn when your horse is outside. Stable sheets and stable blankets are intended to keep your horse warm when he’s inside the barn. They aren’t waterproof, so your horse shouldn’t wear them outside.
Stay tuned to find out our top blankets for 2016!
At my chilly Maine barn, we usually do a trace or a blanket clip on the horses in work. owever, we do normally leave their bellies unclipped (while clipping the girth area). This way, they don’t get drafts under their blankets! It makes a huge difference for turning out on windy days.