Clipping question(s)...Why/how did it ever start with body clipping?

[little lady]

I understand the body clipping since minis fur tends to be thicker and they blow it at a slower rate than their big counterparts but why are these horses clipped to their skin for showing? I am trying to learn this clipping for showing. I have now watched two different CD's and can tell as a beginner I have ALOT to learn before I will be able to clip one good enough for a show.(I have now acquired an admiration for those that can do this and make these horses look soooo good) But coming from the big horse world I didn't body clip. I clipped the ears the face(but not to the skin)and legs. I left the body alone as far as clipping and to get a good body coat it took lots of old fashion brushing and an excellent feeding program. Why or how did it evolve to clip these lil ones naked? Could you show one not clipped so close say with a more natural coat or would you not place? I am not wanting to be flamed

but it seems kind of cruel to take away their natural defense from biting flys, sun etc. Any help understanding this would greatly be appreciated. I am thinking about trying to show at 1-2 local shows this year and just trying to understand all the needs.

Second part of my question. Show halters. I am wanting to show a yearling and only 1-2 shows. So what type, how do I go about finding a halter? More likely than not he will out grow this show halter right? Or is there quite a bit of adjustment with these types of show halters? Again any input is greatly appreciated.

 

[ruffian]

I wish I knew how the body clipping standard started too. But it's been going on for 20+ years.

Yes he will outgrow his halter. You want a halter to compliment his head style. My opinion is that if he has a fine, pretty head, you want less halter. More like a good Morgan or Quarter Horse, we use a wider nose band and less bling. Show halters don't have much adjustment, just at the crown.

 

[Jill]

Well, for one thing, everyone does it and you don't want to make any "personal" statements at a show. You can do that for free at home in your backyard

I think the reason people like to have their minis clipped as close as peeled onions is that it accentuates their muscle tone and lines -- plus, like I eluded to, you do not want to stand out like a sore thumb

While I like the natural look on minis, the first time I had a show mini and saw him clipped and groomed for the ring, that was more than enough to sell me on the concept

 

[little lady]

I wish I knew how the body clipping standard started too. But it's been going on for 20+ years.

Yes he will outgrow his halter. You want a halter to compliment his head style. My opinion is that if he has a fine, pretty head, you want less halter. More like a good Morgan or Quarter Horse, we use a wider nose band and less bling. Show halters don't have much adjustment, just at the crown.

Ok I have seen(only in pictures) the adjustment at the crown so that helps...Thanks! So does the bling factor in here? In the Paint and Quarter horses sometimes one would think they are judging the halter. So if he has a pretty head a simple and fine halter is what I should look for? What brands are out there that I should look for?

 

[little lady]

Well, for one thing, everyone does it and you don't want to make any "personal" statements at a show. You can do that for free at home in your backyard

I think the reason people like to have their minis clipped as close as peeled onions is that it accentuates their muscle tone and lines -- plus, like I eluded to, you do not want to stand out like a sore thumb

While I like the natural look on minis, the first time I had a show mini and saw him clipped and groomed for the ring, that was more than enough to sell me on the concept

I have been known to make personal statements at shows, one of the reasons I stopped showing Paint horses(among many others). Just because the big name does it(or everybody)doesn't make it right. I believe in any breed a horse should be judged by the horses quality not by how the mane is cut or by the halter it wears. That owner worked just as hard as the others in the ring. A good judge will see a quality horse although that same judge may or may not place accordingly to save grace. The rule book states how horses are to be judged by confirmation and quality representing the breed. OK I'll get off my soapbox

now.

 

[disneyhorse]

Clipping is not "100% necessary" if your horse has a tight coat. I've shown minis plenty of times with tight coats, but they had genetically short coats and it was later-in-the-summer shows. By Nationals though, most are getting furry again. Halter classes, you normally have to clip because your horse is looked at far more closely than it is in performance classes.

Body clipping is not restricted to showing miniatures... LOTS and LOTS of breeds body clip! My friend has a Friesian/Andalusian show barn and most of the client show horses are body clipped at least once in the spring before shows. Arabians, Thoroughbreds, and plenty of other horses are also body clipped. I've even body clipped a few Clydesdales (obviously not below the knee!!!) so don't feel like it's just the miniatures that are routinely clipped.

I think body clipped horses look good!

Andrea

 

[minimomNC]

I have seen horses of different colors that when they are clipped, you can see the muscle tone much better than when they have a natural hair coat. That makes a difference in judging. A judge has just a few seconds to get a first impression of your horse and then only a very few minutes to judge that horse in a line up. I want the judge to see everything great about my horse in those few seconds or minutes, so if clipping him will help that process, you can be sure I will be doing just that. We also only use simple halters, black nosebands, maybe some gold or silver piping, nothing on the side or just small conchos, thats it. I personally do not like colored nosebands. My halters have to work on many horses, some I have been using for almost 7 years now. Purple doesn't look good on sorrel horses so if I used that color I would be limited by what horses could wear it. So simple is always better.

My suggestion for anyone who doesn't want to clip or razor your horses for a show is just don't do it. Its your right to take your horse in the ring in its natural state, its also my right to clip and razor my horses for the show ring. As for it being cruel, well thats anyones opinion. I know how I take care of my show horses and they seem to be of sound mind and body. Showing is to expensive to not give my horses every chance to win.

 

[rabbitsfizz]

I will clip once at the very beginning of the year, to get the winter coat off and tidy the horse up, but I long ago tired of trying to show cold, antsy, youngsters (almost all of our shows are outside, although we are getting there, slowly, with indoor venues) having to put blankets on in the ring because they were shivering, etc, and now I do not clip except to keep the horse "tidy"

I show "in coat" and have never had a problem with it.

As to making a statement at a show....Yes, I am happy to do that, what is the point of making a statement at home?

I thought the whole point of showing was to make a statement.....

 

[little lady]

I will clip once at the very beginning of the year, to get the winter coat off and tidy the horse up, but I long ago tired of trying to show cold, antsy, youngsters (almost all of our shows are outside, although we are getting there, slowly, with indoor venues) having to put blankets on in the ring because they were shivering, etc, and now I do not clip except to keep the horse "tidy"

I show "in coat" and have never had a problem with it.

As to making a statement at a show....Yes, I am happy to do that, what is the point of making a statement at home?

I thought the whole point of showing was to make a statement.....

I like the way you think!

 

[little lady]

So since I am not very confident in my ability to show clip what or how do I go about getting a show clip done for a show? (I am going to practice on my very tolerant mares in the mean time...lol.)

I have been to a few miniature shows and really like how they look but I have seen equally stunning full sized horses showing with a nicely cared for coat.

 

[Equuisize]

Coming from showing Arabs I'm not excited about the full body clipping either.

Can only remember one time, for a very early show we clipped a grey Arab.

I rather understand why they have to with the minis as in the cooler climates

they do not shed out as quickly unless you keep them under lights with multiple

blankets.

But I dislike that they do not show their true colors when clipped.

I like red heads. Body clipped they do not show the deep rich copper

penny look that attracts me to them in the beginning. They all look

mousy to me.

There was a gal, came up from California back a few years ago to a show here

and her horse was in a full coat. Slick as could be. Breath taking!

You could tell she spent hours grooming him to get him in that condition.

She did it with purpose .... She did not approve of body clipping and wasn't

going to fall in behind the hordes. She had spunk, that gal and her horse

placed well so can't discount her actions.

If judges can tell the conformation and conditioning of a full size horse

with in a full coat, they should be able to tell the same in a mini.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

I am hoping to show a horse this year. I will clip him, as it is an early show and he will be too furry--plus uncomfortable in the warmer weather. But I am contemplating leaving his whiskers. He is going in a performance class and I understand the close grooming isn't as critical there. I understand that whiskers are not trimmed in Europe; it is an American thing.

Do you think the judge sees that extreme clip as a sign that an exhibtor is taking the show ring more seriously? Showing IS a type of beauty contest. A contestant wouldn't show up with unkempt hair or poorly chosen clothes--the judge woud think the conestant didn't care if he won or not.

 

[lucky seven]

My boy has lots of hair from the cold winter we are still having. I don't want to shave him naked but would like to clip to help remove his winter coat. I have looked at clippers but don't know much about using one. What do you suggest for a brand? I want something durable and won't overheat or pull on him. His legs and neck really need to be done. Also do you clip under the chin?

 

[supaspot]

I too like to see some colour on the horse , in the UK and Ireland we do clip but I think we leave a little more hair on , Ive heard that in some european countries its against the rules to clip inside the ears and removing eyelashes is very frowned upon

the Irish/ UK judges like to see a little more hair than you in the US are used to but our society is bringing over another american judge this summer , my dilema now is do I shave my horses bald as thats what hes used to / expects or can I show with some growth on ?

 

[maplegum]

I have shown both Bailey and Willow with an unclipped coat. Yes, I guess it is kind of frowned upon by others but I'm not out to play by the rules. Bailey and Willow both placed well, in fact, Willow came home with numerous 1st place ribbons.

I didn't cut off their eyelashes or whiskers or even cut a wedge out of their mane for a bridle path. They both looked healthy and shiny and I was proud that I didn't do what everyone else did!

 

[ruffian]

I am hoping to show a horse this year. I will clip him, as it is an early show and he will be too furry--plus uncomfortable in the warmer weather. But I am contemplating leaving his whiskers. He is going in a performance class and I understand the close grooming isn't as critical there. I understand that whiskers are not trimmed in Europe; it is an American thing.

Do you think the judge sees that extreme clip as a sign that an exhibtor is taking the show ring more seriously? Showing IS a type of beauty contest. A contestant wouldn't show up with unkempt hair or poorly chosen clothes--the judge woud think the conestant didn't care if he won or not.

I had a judge tell me personally that my horse would have placed higher - he took 3rd - if I had "Bothered" to clip him!

 

[Matt73]

I used to show hunters and jumpers on the A-Circuit. In the Spring, most horses needed to be clipped (even though they're blanketed all winter). Regular trimming of ears, bridle path, muzzle (although not balded), legs etc. was done throughout the summer/fall. When showing everything has to look better than excellent.

 

[Jill]

I have been known to make personal statements at shows, one of the reasons I stopped showing Paint horses(among many others). Just because the big name does it(or everybody)doesn't make it right. I believe in any breed a horse should be judged by the horses quality not by how the mane is cut or by the halter it wears. That owner worked just as hard as the others in the ring. A good judge will see a quality horse although that same judge may or may not place accordingly to save grace. The rule book states how horses are to be judged by confirmation and quality representing the breed. OK I'll get off my soapbox

now.

Oh people are free to do what they want, but I've never gone to a show, or had one of my horses go to a show, when I didn't hope he or she would win some of the good ribbons. Of course good horses should win and I don't think I've seen a horse win BECAUSE the mane was trimmed just right or their body clip was perfection... I think judges appreciate the appearance that you put effort into presenting your horse well. That's my perspective, but I personally don't mind taking one of my horses in the ring against someone who hasn't spent as much time grooming their animal or decided to use a clunky performance halter, etc.

IMO, unless you are a "big time name", you're not going to start a new trend and there's very little good that can happen in terms of ribbons by standing out as different. Sure, a person can show in halter with a western style halter. You can show a (shaggy, unclipped, be-whiskered, unbrushed, ) horse, etc. But should you if you are doing your best to place well? I don't think so. You can do it how you like in your back yard and save time, show fees and gas.

Another thing, too, is that when people don't put the time into grooming and presenting their horse so that it resembles what is expected, it gives the owner a crutch to say "oh the judge didn't like my horse because I didn't clip him," etc., when, really, maybe the horse just isn't well made or of halter type. Part of what a person can learn from showing horses is to look objectively at their own animals (real important if you aspire to breed (again imo)) and you can learn what types of horses the judges typically pin high.

Just because the rule book says you can do this or you can do that doesn't mean you should or that a person who knows what it takes to win would.

 

[Loess Hills]

JMO..........if you are going to show yourself be prepared to go though the learning curve, maybe fall on your face at your first show, and practice, practice, practice, and learn. Nobody does it perfect the first time but you will pay your dues and learn from your mistakes. And there are a lot of great people at shows who are willing to help and give advice. Watch, observe, and do........and you will learn. It won't be easy, but then nothing is as easy as it looks!

 

[CharlesFamily]

IMO the body clipping is MUCH easier than the balding of the face! (I still haven't gotten that one down). Last summer, my daughters showed for the first time at a local mini show (not AMHA or AMHR). It was August and I made the decision not to body clip because I like their full coat color (chestnut and buckskin). They were both slick and shiny and so I just tightened up some areas and, of course, did their ears and legs. I did not bald their faces. Both did quite well for their first time out with my daughters. If it is not a breed show, but a local show, I think you will have more flexibility with whether you need to body clip or not.

Here is a picture of Jinx in full coat:

Now this year our first show is in May, so I know I will be body clipping. My suggestion is don't wait until right before your first show. Have a "practice run" and you will notice that if you clip at least a week ahead, their color will return some and any rough patches will have "smoothed out." That way you won't feel as anxious and if you need to do it again, you will have time.

Make sure you have good clippers and extra blades - especially for that first clip!

Good luck!

Barbara