Wintering Horses: Expert Tips on Body Clipping and More

Body clipping is a common practice among equestrian enthusiasts, especially when preparing horses for winter activities. The primary reason for body clipping is to reduce the amount your horse sweats during exercise, and to help them dry quicker afterwards.

This can be particularly beneficial in winter when you want to avoid your horse staying damp for long periods, which can be uncomfortable and even lead to health issues!

However, body clipping comes with the responsibility of managing your horse's warmth, as you're essentially removing their natural winter coat. This means you'll need to be meticulous about blanketing.

Blanketing involves covering your horse with a blanket specially designed to compensate for the loss of their natural insulation.

It's crucial to adjust the blanket according to weather changes—think temperature drops, rises, and dampness—to ensure your horse remains comfortable through various winter conditions.

Tips for Wintering Horses Without Body Clipping

Not everyone chooses to clip their horse's body, and that's perfectly okay! If you prefer to keep your horse's natural coat, you'll still want to focus on effective winter care.

 

Here are some tips I personally use to manage my horses during the cold season:

1. Warm Up and Cool Down are Crucial

During winter, the importance of a thorough warm-up and cool-down cannot be overstressed. These steps ensure that your horse's muscles are adequately prepared for exercise, which can help prevent injuries.

I like to use a Bemer PEMF machine to aid in warming up and cooling down—it's a game-changer, and I plan to explore this tool in more detail in a future post.

2. Use a Quarter Sheet

A quarter sheet is an excellent accessory for winter rides. It covers the back half of your horse and extends around your legs, providing extra warmth during warm-ups.

As you move into more intense exercise, you can remove the quarter sheet depending on the weather, and then reapply it during cooldown to prevent your horse from getting a chill.

3. Invest in a High-Quality Cooler

After exercise, it's essential to help your horse cool down gradually. A good cooler can be invaluable here. Coolers are designed to wick away moisture while keeping your horse warm as you untack.

Don't forget to have a couple of dry towels on hand to help dry off any areas that get sweaty, particularly around the face and girth, which can prevent the coat from becoming crusty and uncomfortable.

Additional Winter Care Hacks

Here are a few more tricks I've picked up that make winter care easier for both my horses and me:

• Warm Water Wipes: Always have a small bottle of warm water and a cloth handy to wipe down any sweaty areas. This helps keep your horse's skin comfortable and prevents irritation from dried sweat.

• Tack Room Tips: If your tack room isn't heated, consider bringing items like bridles and boots home to warm up before your ride. Placing a cold metal bit in a horse's mouth can be unpleasant, so warming it up can make a significant difference in your horse's comfort.

• Smart Layering Under Blankets: For those times when you can't dry your horse completely before leaving the barn, a wicking cooler under their blanket can keep both the horse and the blanket dry.

So, Remember:

Wintering horses effectively requires careful attention to their comfort and health. Whether you choose body clipping or prefer to maintain their natural coat, these tips should help you ensure that your horse remains healthy and comfortable throughout the cold season.

Remember, every horse is unique, and adjusting these practices to suit individual needs is key to successful winter horse care.

Stay tuned for more detailed discussions on specific equipment and techniques that can help you this winter!