Some people may tell you that clipping your horse in the summer can ruin their summer coats. However, some of the heavier, thick-coated horses may require clipping all year round to stay comfortable when the weather gets hot.
Suitable clips
Deciding which type of clip is going to benefit your horse best can be tricky sometimes, however, in the summer, Lister Global recommends clipping the areas where your horse will sweat the most such as the neck or the body.
Hunter clip- For this clip a saddle patch remains untouched to prevent any saddle-sore problems from arising, and the legs will remain unclipped to protect them from mud or scratches. Hunter clips are perfect for the summer as they allow your horse to cool off easier while protecting the susceptible areas from sores or scratches.
Trace clip- The upper body and legs are kept unclipped with a trace clip, but the hair is removed under the belly and neck where the horse will be more likely to sweat. Trace clips are great for horses who are in light work when the weather gets warm.
Full clip- All areas of your horse’s coat can be removed with a full clip, but you must take care of tack rubbing on the clipped areas as this can cause sores to appear. Full clips are best recommended for those who are showing their horses.
Read more: How to choose the right Clipper blades
Be mindful of pink skin
When clipping your horse in the summer you should always take into consideration the colour of their skin. Horses with white coats will often have pink skin, making them more susceptible to sunburn when they have been clipped. This should not put you off clipping your horse, you should just use a medium blade recommended by Lister to leave enough coverage behind to protect those pink-skinned horses.
Cushing’s Disease
Horses with the chronic condition caused by an imbalance of hormones in the pituitary gland can often struggle to naturally shed their winter coats. Due to their coats being thicker as the warmer weather appears can cause discomfort and should be regularly clipped. Blades designed for horses with Cushing’s allow longer hairs to be removed, leaving the remaining hairs as an additional layer of protection for your horses.
If you are ever concerned or worried about your horse with Cushing’s disease, always seek advice from your vet.
Where there is heat, there are flies
Once you have clipped your horse in the summer, it is most likely that those pesky flies will be about to annoy your freshly clipped friend. Where the coat has been clipped, the flies will be more likely to cause bother, therefore, ensuring a fly rug and horse-friendly fly spray is to hand is essential.
Moreover, mites and ticks can be a problem for some horses, so ensuring a good trimmer is used to blend the feathers can help identify any affected areas, and then treat them as soon as possible.
Read more: A guide to choosing the right fly repellent for your horse
