OTTBs and Clipping

[Big_Tag]

I apologize if this is a stupid question. However, I am curious to see if there’s a standard operating procedure regarding clipping of horses at TB tracks. I’ve got plenty of experience with track standardbreds, who usually get a super long bridle path clipped and not much else…but no TB track experience. Is is safe to assume my OTTB knows what clippers are? Are they typically kept trimmed up beyond their bridle paths (ears/noses)? What about body-clipping? My guy was based in the DE/PA/OH area the entirety of his life, so cold winters, but not sure if body-clipping is typical at TB tracks (it’s extremely atypical to clip standardbreds at the track and not sure if that carried over to TBs as well), or if clipping is a trainer-by-trainer thing. I haven’t attempting to clip mine yet–just been doing his bridle path with scissors–however, if he keeps progressing nicely I might look to show him over the winter. Understanding that every horse is an individual, just wondering what I mightexpect from him.

Thank you!

[Texarkana]

There’s no real standard in my experience. Your OTTB has more than likely seen clippers at some point, though. Most get bridle paths clipped. Some do ears/muzzles, but not always. Trace clips and blanket clips are really common if horses are racing/training in the winter months. Full body clipping is lesson common, but some barns do it.

The first time I clip any horse, I just make sure they’re in a safe area and turn the clippers on nonchalantly to see how they react. If they’re cool with it, I just do it. If they spaz, then I go back to basics with positive reinforcement or get some help from pharmaceuticals.

[caffeinated]

I’ve seen everything from completely non-clipped to full body clips, and a lot of creative trace clips.

I don’t think there’s any standard at all, and with off track horses, I’ve seen horses that act like they’ve never seen clippers to horses who sleep through the entire process.

[Flash44]

I’d approach it as if the horse has never been clipped and teach him to accept the clippers. Most race horses are tranquilized to be body clipped.

In colder areas, they are trace clipped for the winter. Horses that ship south for the winter after they’ve started growing a coat are full clipped.

[Laurierace]

Bridle paths are more likely to be done with scissors than clippers. They are tranqed for clipping elsewhere.

[mht]

Our yearlings, that had been sent to Florida in December of last year, all had to get body clipped as their training progressed. They had grown too much of winter coat, having come from north of the 49th. Would take forever to cool out after their works.

[Big_Tag]

Quick lil update…either my guy is accustomed to clippers or just didn’t care…did his whiskers yesterday with no issue and while we didn’t do his ears, he didn’t seem too concerned with the clippers being on and up near his ears. He IS a pretty quiet-minded fella though, so maybe he just took it in stride