How cold is too cold for a clipped horse? Blanketing a clipped horse?
For a horse that has a hunter clip (only the legs unclipped) how cold is too cold?
At what point should a med. blanket be put on? Does a (waterproof)sheet and a med weight stable blanket provide the same warmth as a med blanket?
At what point should a heavy weight be put on?
Is a hood required?
Anything else you want to add would be helpful!
Asked by:Corey
Why would you want to clip in the winter if you are not showing????? Why take the chance of your horses getting cold??? What state are you in??? It may help with how cold it gets where you are.
I assume you are either showing or intensely training your horse this winter to have clipped him. I also assume he lives inside. If this is the case, I would use a sheet when it is below 40 degrees, medium weight when it is below freezing but not to the teens, and heavy weight with a hood when it is below the teens.
If your horse is living outside, you should probably reconsider clipping him as he would need a blanket all winter which can be difficult when there is more moisture-rain and snow. Waterproof blankets are only water proof to a point, and then they too will begin to hold water. If it rains for three days and your horse is out in the rain with the same blanket on, not being allowed to dry, he can definitely get sick and be stressed out.
Another thing to remember, Horses are most comfortable around 40 degrees. Their coats are naturally designed to fluff up and hold warm air close to their bodies. When you put a blanket on them, it smashes the hair down and prevents their bodies from warming on its own, thus creating a NEED for the blanket.
If you plan on working your horse hard this winter and he lives outside, I think your best investment would be a wool or fleece cooler to help him dry before putting him away.
you shouldnt cut it because winter is going to be here soon and he needs hair to keep him worm
Clipping a horse is fine in fact it can be good for their summer coats and that comfort when winter is OVER. okay I start blanketing my UNCLIPPED horses at 30 degrees so for a clipped horse I think low 40’s would be the time to start and take it off on nice and sunny days! if the weather is bad as well I recommend putting it on then just because the sun isn’t shinning they will not beable to gather heat rays.
If the horses is in a stall I say anything BELOW 40!