[Lindsayanne]

Okay.. I know this is a little early, but I'm thinking about it.

If you keep a horse stalled indoors through the winter months and keep it in active work- riding 3-4 times a week- do you have to/need to clip them?

It's looking like that's the setup Regal will be in this winter. I know in most cases it would be better to clip to handle sweating/cooling off issues but I am horrified of the thought of clipping off his super-curly winter coat (which I am SO excited about, BTW. ) Can I get away with not clipping? What would that mean? Just being extra diligent about using coolers?

I'll pick my trainers brain about it in a few months. But I'm worried about it now and if he knew I was obsessing about it in July he'd know just how crazy I am.

[idlewild]

Well if he isn't sweating alot when he is being ridden during the winter then there is no need to clip him. However, if his sholders, neck, sides, saddle area, and flank are all getting obviously sweaty and wet then I suggest you clip him. It dosen't have to be alot if you arn't riding him everyday. I clip my horse just on the chest, part of the shoulders, and the underside of his neck. This helps him cool off faster after a good workout and he dosen't get as sweaty. And the benefit of not doing a complete trace or blanket clip is that I don't have to blanket him because he won't get all that cold. But then if your horse is going to be a in a stall then you could probably get away with clipping a bit more. Yeah, I know that clipping sometimes looks funny, but the horse is sooo much happier and remember that it always evens out for the summer!

Yours,
Emily

[LateBloomer]

Well, my daughter clipped her mare this winter for the first time. She only did her chest area because that seemed to be the area where she sweated most and took the longest to dry. You really don't notice it that much. She also blanketed her.

[Lindsayanne]

bump. What are the consequences of NOT clipping?

[cassidy]

well there is no need to clip it would also save you money on rugs if you didnt!

if you dont clip the only down point is to your horse if they are doing heavy work then with a winter coat they will sweat a great deal more!

[Inchworm]

Hi all!
The desicion to clip would probably be better decided in winter. Do you know how much he sweated last winter?
If you are really unsure, then try clipping the chest and neck, that way he can still be turned out without a blanket.
Also, if he's like most curlies, (I ride curlies too!!!!) you'll need to clip him because of the thick coat.
If you've clipped the neck and chest, and he's still sweaty, then upgrade to a trace clip. You don't always have to blanket a horse that has a trace clip, but it depends on the climate he's in. What kind of winters do you get?

The concequences of NOT clipping are reduced condition (losing weight because of the excessive sweating)and the risk of chilling because he's wet.
Plus I think they look prettier when they're clipped!
~Robin

[Lindsayanne]

Originally Posted by Inchworm

(I ride curlies too.... Plus I think they look prettier when they're clipped!
~Robin

BLASPHEMER!!!! I'm going to weep with every curl I have to clip off! Thanks for the info, though.

[Inchworm]

Yes, I know, it's sad. But you can save the hair that falls on the ground!!!
At out barn, one of the curlies is named Sugarbear, and when we clip him, we save the hair and then label it "bear hair".

BTW, I looked at your curlies and he's GORGEOUS!
I've never seen one that's gray and so tbish!
I love it.
I rode a 13.2 hh palomino curly for a year, she's less curly than some of the other ones we have. I'm also training a little 13.2 hh chestnut curly, she has EXTREMELY curly hair. She gets dredlocks!! She's also full sister to sugarbear, and her name is... Honeybear!
Anyways, I could talk forever. Keep us updated!
Robin

[Gingeroonie]

what do curlys look like?

[Inchworm]

Go here!!!
American Bashkir Curly Registry
http://www.abcregistry.org/