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Can clips cause sores?
I'm relatively new to clipping horses, and I was told to never-ever-ever clip the saddle pad area because the saddle might rub and cause sores, yet I've seen photos all over the internet of horses with designs over that area or just fully shaved, most of my friends clip it off as well - so from your experiences, which is best? Can it really cause sores?
If if makes any difference, my gelding is a six year old arabian, we live in a VERY hot climate but he got unreasonably fluffy this 'winter' despite his super thick blanket.
I've attached a picture of the first clip I did for my horse so you can see what I mean :)
I'd really appreciate any advice!
4 Answers
- Miss LukeLv 77 years agoFavorite Answer
I don't clip my horse, so I can't speak from personal experience. However, in my 20+ years of owning and showing horses, I have come across a lot of people who give their horses a full show clip -- including the saddle area -- every season. The reason they do, moreover, is that they are training and competing heavily. I have never heard of a horse getting a sore back just from clipping, although he MAY get a sore back from an ill-fitting saddle, dirty saddle pad, or because of overwork.
- Anonymous7 years ago
You can clip all the hair off if you wish. As long as the saddle fits correctly, the saddle pads/numnahs are regularly cleaned and you wash/brush off any sweat marks then there shouldn't be any sores.
That said you could always neaten the saddle patch more, similar to a half pad. Like this - http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s63/simbagunsha... and just leave a small patch that won't be noticeable under tack at all.
- 7 years ago
as long as everything fits correctly, they shouldn't chafe and chafing causes sores. i prefer to have the hair on the saddle in winter, just for a little insulation, but the full clip is best for showing and especially in the finer weather... its entirely up to yourself what you choose, but if you want a different clip there, just make sure the saddle sits correctly and there shouldn't be a problem. if your horse is especially thin-skinned, you can always add a decent saddlecloth
- 7 years ago
I personally don't clip my horses but I know several who do. As long as your horses equipment fits him properly and has not caused him any previous sores in the past you should be fine in a full clip.
