Clipping in cold climate

[Rae89]

I have read many clipping posts on the site, but still haven’t found the info I am looking for. I usually give my boy a trace clip in nov-dec. I hate how the trace clips looks when his legs and face are all fuzzy. He is in the barn every night but out during the day. I don’t like to full body clip in the dead of winter as we get lots of snow and very cold temps. He gets a full body clip in early march. But like to leave any parts I can’t cover with a blanket hairy as long as I can.
I am wondering if I full body clip right now, and then trace clip when he needs it later will his legs and head be a little less fuzzy?? Possibly not look quite so silly if we go to some schooling shows this winter?

Thanks

[Showbizz]

They’re growing hair very quickly right now. I would wait until next month if you can, then do a full. I think if you do it now, you’re still going to end up with a lot of leg and face hair for your trace.

[Highflyer]

Most of ours are just starting to grow coats. I find that if I clip late October and then trace clip after thanksgiving it works well. If you have super hairy types it still may not be enough though.

[Palm_Beach]

There are lots of variations to the trace/hunter clip, so you can kind of design your own and he’ll look fine. Heads and legs don’t get cold on horses like they do on people. And cold legs are good. Just make sure you leave a cute little heart or something somewhere.

[joiedevie99]

We do first clips in October. Plenty of hair grows back - and most of us do a second clip by Christmas.

[SLW]

Have you tried using Quick Braid on the long winter facial & leg hair to make it lay flat? That might be a nice compromise.

[Sansena]

And, with a little practice, you can do what I call a ‘fade’ on the face and legs using the clippers held upside down. Hard to describe and it takes a steady hand. But instead of having the blades go against the skin opposite direction of hair growth, you turn the clippers over so the blades are pointed into but on top of the hair and you use precision strokes to take off the long, unruly ‘fuzzy’ hairs.

I’d start by doing the backs of his legs, and his face from the groove beneath the eye on down and over the mandible.

[mmeqcenter]

@Sansena

And, with a little practice, you can do what I call a ‘fade’ on the face and legs using the clippers held upside down. Hard to describe and it takes a steady hand. But instead of having the blades go against the skin opposite direction of hair growth, you turn the clippers over so the blades are pointed into but on top of the hair and you use precision strokes to take off the long, unruly ‘fuzzy’ hairs.

I’d start by doing the backs of his legs, and his face from the groove beneath the eye on down and over the mandible.

Agreed with this.

We can’t really tell you if his legs/face will be fuzzy or not, they all grow hair at different rates. I had a boarder who full body clipped her horse four or more times every winter, she was THAT fuzzy.

[Rae89]

Thanks! I might just trade the “fade” this winter. I will leave him for a few more weeks and clip early October.