I have and have not
clipped when I wanted to continue riding through winter. Down side, - clip
alot, more than a 'trace clip' - a little along neck, chest, flank,
back of hip;( I always left hair on legs, most of body - and dried
with big towel, covered them an hour or so til dry and turned
loose ), You may end up blanketing alot of colder, or wet
nights if you clip more - like "half" clip, neck, chest, most of
belly, along flank and lower hip ; think some call it a 'blanket
clip' - generally havce blanket more. - ( means more work - for me,
dealing with blankets, Am and Pm. I wouild not clip more after about first/mid
sept, as in whole horse clip. I did find if I clipped mid sept they
were ok, and grew enough coat for winter, and that I could ride
through late fall, without alot of extra cooling out/ blanketing - If
clipped later - into late Oct., then I would
want to blanket and/or maybe stall horse some during fall
and most of winter nights- jmho )
I opted for "my" 'modified clip'
- don't laugh - but if you can't adjust clipper blades to take off half
length of hair, I found if I held clippers with my hand against
horse,and blades at about 45 - or so, degree angle, instead of flat
against coat - I could take off, just about half of coat, not like full
clipping. 'You just give'm a trim'. May be worth a try. After couple
weeks - like someone posted, they will not look too bad. : ) And
horse cooled, dried better, and still had enough 'fur' to keep them warm;
unless, extreme weather - and generally blanketed then anyway - as mine
are out all the time ( meaning they get blankets if - wet and
real cold ( near freezing, or looking stressed from elements), and
wet/ windy conditions, ie almost blizzard, or windy, cold
rain. Plus all hay can eat). Stephanie M
