I have an 7 year old thoroughbred mare that I am buying from the barn that I ride at. Right now she is being used about three times a week for an hour of working and within the next few weeks I will get her up to working her six times a week for an hour of rideing or 1/2 of lunging each day. She is being turned out with a blanket now and is not clipped and the average temp. at night is 27. Do you think I should clip her? Thanks for any advise.
2006-12-06 00:42:29 · 7 answers · asked by Corey 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Is the horse sweating with her blanket on now? If not, she probably doesn't need to be clipped, especially a thoroughbred because they sometimes have thinner coats than other breeds. If she is outside all the time without a stable to go into at night, I would say don't clip her, because as it gets colder, she could chill and then potentially colic. If you do clip her, make sure your blanket is heavy-weight and you also would probably want a neck rug as well if you do a full body clip, but I would only use one of those if you do a lot of showing, even in the winter.
2006-12-06 01:16:07 · answer #1 · answered by ilovesubasketball 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she's going to be worked that consistently and you can keep a blanket(s) on her, I would recommend possibly clipping her. I would keep her coat until you start working her the 6 times a week you mentioned. If she's not sweating too bad, let her keep her hair as long as possible. If she's sweating drastically during your workouts, I would clip her at that point. A trace clip or a hunt clip to remove hair from where she's going to sweat the most is ideal. Then she can keep the hair on her legs and over her back/major organs to keep her warm during the winter. My mare is clipped in this way, is blanketed throughout the winter, and worked up to 1.5 hrs 4-5 times a week. It does take some more maintenance, but she is definitely more comfortable while working. She is an Andalusian though, and likely has a thicker coat than your TB will, which is why I suggest seeing how she does with your work regiment.
2006-12-06 10:48:51 · answer #2 · answered by skachicah35 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't understand what you want to clip her for. if she gets brushed everyday that will remove any hair she doesn't NEED.
i wouldn't even put a blanket on her. i used to know people that would blanket their horses in the winter rather than let them grow their natural winter coat. all because they were too lazy to deal with the shedding in the spring and they didn't want any roughness when the show season started. one of them had her horses blanket get caught on some roots while it was lying down and he paniced and got his legs caught up. he didn't break anything, but he pulled some muscles and was laid up for awhile after the season started. no, i don't think you should clip her. i don't think you should blanket her either. i think you should bring her in at night until her winter coat is in, then turn her out at night if you want. but that's just me.
2006-12-06 09:28:11 · answer #3 · answered by Isis Is: HOPEFULL HOUNDS RESCUE 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess it a matter of opinion, but, I never trim the winter coat, actually never trimmed much, maybe the mane when it in their eyes. I just keep them well brushed, as it gives interaction with the horse anyway. I call a Thoroughbred a high strung horse and I did have one including the papers for racing the horse, though we never raced her. She seemed to be more cold in winter than the Quarter horse. They had their Blankets and Sheds to help.
2006-12-06 08:56:08 · answer #4 · answered by Snaglefritz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wait until spring to clip her, her mane and tail will become thicker throughout the winter, let her keep warm, in the spring, clip her and also thin out her mane and tail, she will look beautiful and feel great as well
2006-12-06 08:55:03 · answer #5 · answered by Lora B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wait for Warmer weather
2006-12-06 11:26:46 · answer #6 · answered by Cowgirl8 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would not clip her until spring
2006-12-06 09:34:26 · answer #7 · answered by Alisha S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋