Companion Animals

Horse Clipping and Welfare: Winter Management

Clipping horses in winter is a management tool that affects thermoregulation and welfare, requiring careful consideration of rugging and shelter.

Key Facts

Winter clipping removes the thick coat that horses grow in response to shortening days
Clipped horses require appropriate rugging to compensate for reduced insulation
The clip pattern should match the horse's workload to prevent both overheating during exercise and chilling at rest
Clipping requires skilled handling to avoid stress, particularly in horses with clipper sensitivity

Welfare Considerations

Clipping is a welfare trade-off - removing insulation to allow effective exercise and drying while creating a need for artificial management of body temperature. Appropriate rugging strategies, adequate shelter, and skilled clipping technique are essential to maintain welfare in clipped horses.

What You Can Do

Match clip pattern to your horse's workload and turnout conditions
Invest in appropriate rugging to compensate for reduced insulation after clipping
Use positive reinforcement training to reduce clipper anxiety in sensitive horses