[Nikki92]

I regularly work my horse throughout the entire winter here. I work him heavily, and therefore he get's a good sweat on. Now, since he has thick winter fur and all, it normally takes a good 45 minutes to an hour to cool off with a cooler. This winter, i was wondering if i could cut down the cooling off time if i did some clipping. Keep in mind that out here, it often gets down to -30 degrees celcius.

Would it be a good idea to clip him? and if so, how should I clip him (just legs, full body, etc...)????????

Thanks

[paintlver]

I would be very careful clipping in our cold climate...He has to be well blanketed and has to come into a heated barn if he does get cold..Having no protection will make him vulnerable to getting cold and frostbite....Only clip what you know you can blanket heavily. A trace clip would be the only thing I would attempt but then you have to keep him hooded at all times...

[Nikki92]

Thanks Paintlver for your input.
i should have mentioned that above, he is blanketed, but we dont have a heavy blanket on him. also, the barn is not heated either.

[paintlver]

I keep my horses hooded and blanketed all winter....They grow very little hair but still spend a great deal of time outside..We get cold here too in Manitoba so I know how to blanket for maximum results. I layer my blankets....And also add neck rugs to keep them toasty warm no matter what the weather...I would trace clip him now or if you want to do a neck clip and partial trace clip under the belly it is the best time..gives him a little time to grow some hair back....If you blanket now he should grow enough hair back for the rest of the cold months...Adding a neck rug is a great addition once he is clipped to keep him slick and prevent the chills

[LRHenneman]

If you clip, you have to blanket accordingly. Hunt horses in Colorado are clipped and do well with blankets. When the weather is decent, the blankets come off. No heated barns that I know of. We get temps down to the -20 F and windchills well below.

I do a trace clip on my horse for the winter because he has such a thick coat. I've not seen him get awfully cold, but then I have a selection of blankets for him that can be doubled up, if necessary.

[Rising Star]

Im also in MB and usually clip every year, sometimes trace and sometimes full body. A couple barns I had him at werent heated but he was still always warm. I blanket him with waffle weave/day sheet under his thick winter blanket and he gets a hood. If your arena isnt heated or your going to be riding outside its a good idea to ride in a quater sheet too just to wick away any sweat and make sure to throw on a cooler after your done if there is any sweat.

[MysticRealm]

My horses are full body clipped in the winter and I live in canada. He wears 2-3 blankets out (a baker type sheet, and a heavy winter, and if REALLY cold also his rain sheet) He is out during the day and stabled at night in a heated barn (arena is also heated)