05/19/2026
I often get this question in the summer months… “my horse has shed out but still seems to have too much coat and is sweating excessively during work - should we consider clipping them? Will it ruin their summer coat?” ☀️
Clipping in the summer months is not just for the Cushing’s horses and ponies. Clipping in the summer can be beneficial, particularly for horses with thick, dense coats or those that sweat excessively during exercise. Clipping helps prevent heat stress, aids in quicker drying times after exercise or baths and can also be useful for show preparation. However, it's important to consider the horse's individual needs; breed, coat type, and work level when deciding whether or not to clip as well as what type of clip is necessary for your horses comfort. I own an Andalusian and full body clip him in the summer months. Even his summer coat is too thick and dense for the hot months causing him to sweat too much and overheat.
As for their summer coat - No, clipping a horse in the summer does not ruin their summer coat. Clipping a horse during the summer, especially if they are in work, can actually improve their comfort and help regulate their temperature. Many horses benefit from being clipped in the summer for various reasons, including comfort, hygiene, and aesthetics. Their coat looks just as beautiful and shiny, just at a shorter length.
☀️Reasons to Clip Horses in Summer:
💈Improved Cooling: A clipped horse will sweat less and dry faster after bathing, aiding in regulating body temperature, especially during exercise.
💈Show Preparation: Clipping can enhance the horse's appearance and reduce the time needed for washing and grooming before shows. This also helps managing stains on our greys and light coloured horses. The short hair makes it much easier to wipe away stains and dirt.
💈Managing Thick Coats: Breeds like cobs, Iberians, drafts often have naturally thick coats that can benefit from clipping to prevent overheating.
💈Support for Medical Conditions: Clipping is essential for horses dealing with Equine Cushing’s Disease (PPID) or Equine Metabolic Syndrome, as they often grow abnormally thick coats that they cannot shed on their own.
💈Skin Health Management: Prevents moisture from getting trapped under thick hair, which lowers the risk of developing skin conditions or fungal infections.
💈Managing Feathers: Horses with thick feathers (hair around the legs and fetlocks) may benefit from clipping to prevent mites, fungus and other irritations.
❤️Things to Consider:
⭐️Individual Needs: Not all horses need to be clipped in the summer - however, there are many benefits. It is important to consider your horses coat type, living environment and workload. There are different clipping styles that can be customized to fit your horse’s individual needs.
✂️Coat Type: Consider the thickness and type of coat. Some horses have naturally fine summer coats that might not require clipping.
☀️Sun Protection: It is important to keep in mind to clip horses carefully if they are prone to sunburn (e.g., greys, colored horses with pink skin). It is wise to use a summer sheet or fly sheet with UV protection to make sure your horse stays protected when their skin is more exposed due to having shorter hair. There are many new blankets on the market that are extremely light and even mesh material that offer UV protection.
If you are thinking your horse needs a clip this summer, please PM me to book 😊 I travel all over Vancouver Island. 🚙
