The purpose for clipping horses is two-fold. For years we thought clipping was necessary to allow a horse to cool out more efficiently and prevent sweat from being retained in the long hair coat; this aspect is still very true. However, we have learned in recent years that the more important function of clipping is to facilitate the horse's use of his thermo-regulation system. As you know, when horses become warmed up, especially thin-skinned warm-blooded horses, the veins will become very prominent primarily along their necks, heads and upper bodies. This system is to allow the horse to cool down from the tremendous amount of heat that is generated by activity.

Interestingly enough, at the Hunt we have observed the fact that in the fall before the horses were clipped we would notice them reaching a fatigue point relatively quickly even though they were in fairly good condition. Immediately after the horses were clipped, we would find the situation dramatically improved as far as their conditioning was concerned. Horses that are clipped feel better throughout the season and have more endurance than those, which are not clipped.

Thermo-regulation is the main reason that the horses are clipped with hunter or full clips. With a trace clip, on the other hand, the majority of the highly vascular skin area remains covered and the cool out program is slowed down. For this reason, trace clips are of little value to the field hunter that works hard. In a hunter clip, the legs are left with the long hair for protective purposes; however, this protection is not as critical now in our open hunting country as it was in the oak brush country. Hair on the legs does influence thermal regulation due to the large vessels along the inside of the horse's legs, but this restriction is not as important as the long hair restriction on the upper body. In addition, of course, with a hunter or full clip, grooming the horses is much easier.

Clipping methods varies with many different people; however, I think one of the most recent logical suggestions written in The Chronicle of the Horse is to give the horse a bath prior to clipping; this bath eliminates much of the dust that is generated while clipping.

In addition, field hunters should be clipped fairly early in the fall although the earlier you clip them, the more times you will have to clip throughout the season. They will need clipping for as many as three times if clipped the first part of October; this procedure, however, is beneficial for the horses. After February 1, horses should not be clipped because their hair coat will not grow out sufficiently then for a nice, attractive, protective summer coat. After about early February, horses begin to get ready to shed their winter coats and clipping should not disturb the process.

As far as style goes, horses should be clipped entirely on the upper body as mentioned before. Leaving their legs covered with long hair is good protection, but is optional. One important matter is to leave a saddle area with the long hair because short hair underneath the saddle can create soreness and irritation problems. Leaving an unclipped saddle area is a good idea, especially for field hunters. Traditionally, good taste dictates that the clipping design should not use any ornamental design over the hips or elsewhere.

I hope that this advice will be of some value to Hunt members regarding the reasons for clipping horses. The bottom line is that a field of clipped hunters is very attractive and impressive to all members and guests and clipping is a very practical and useful procedure which is absolutely necessary for your field hunter’s health and welfare.