I drive indoors with two shetlands in the winter, without clipping they get rainrot from not being able to dry well enough. My oldest I clip in september completely, then rug and let it regrow adjusted to the rug, since he's a bit more cold sensitive. The youngest will be continueously clipped through winter. In March they get a spring clip, otherwise they'll be in summer coats by the time the new winter coat already comes into play as well again. They are very late spring shedders. So without the clipping I wouldn't be able to ride them for like 8-9 months out of a year. It is now august and my fingers already can almost disappear in their furs again, it is crazy how that winter coat is already coming along again. To do the only rugging them thing I would have to start rugging them mid-summer to prevent more fur growth. This is just how I do things for them, without clipping they have way less energy and do not play all winter. Winters have become too soft here for full-haired shetlands ready to withstand -40 degrees.
My 2 Shetland s aren't rugged or clipped they live out in the paddock all year they have a stable they can come and go to keep out the heavy rain we get here in Queensland they are hardy little fellows thankyou Barry andRhea for showing these wonderful ponies
What a cutie. 🥰 the little clip clop of his hooves are adorable 💖 it did make me laugh when you showed us the bus stop in case he got a bus home ! 😂 he's probably small enough to actually get on a bus 😊 . Another happy safe and confident little rascal going back home. And another satisfied customer! Great job Barry and Rhea. ❤
My three shetlands are driven throughout the winter. In the evening there is no time for them to dry before the night chill comes. So I clip a 20 cm strip at breast height around the pony: back and neck and belly are protected by a full winter coat against cold and rain while the breast and flank are short to help them regulate their temperature. This is also helpful when they go to indoor jobs in winter, such as geriatric wards or hospitals.
I drove Shetlands and hackneys as a kid and oh my gosh the Shetlands were like pillows in winter! They were waterproof and snow proof. Clipping would be unfathomable. All horses need their coats to regulate their temperature in cold and heat. We just didn't work them hard in winter so that they wouldn't sweat.
I have given my welsh pony a trace clip and no fill rug for 2 years he has been with me. He came off a welsh mountain. In that time he has had skin problems and ringworm twice. I’m going back to basics this winter, no clipping or rugging. It is more inconvenient to us humans but that’s tough.
Ive tried a full clip...then rugged...and a trace clip...but as my mini shetland was only worked for 2 to 3 times a week at 30 40mins work...light trotting around village l stopped clipping and rugging....he was happy with either....ive recently had to sell...due to ill health...but hes got a fabulous home...thank-you Barry for my driving fix...😊
Great video Barry....you're looking well too..!! What a cute Shetland....i agree with you about the clipping and rugs...! Be very interested to see how you get horses accepting a rubber bit from metal....in an ideal world...well my ideal world at least...they all would be bitless....x
I enjoy your videos. They are not only informative but also relaxing to watch. I have a very good mare in harness. She will go over all kinds of surfaces but not through puddles. Once she has been coaxed to do so, she will repeat the process time after time, but every new puddle is a new challenge. Do you have any examples of this?
You could have a look at Flash on our channel - he had trouble with manholes and puddles. So did Luna on another of our videos - have a search of our videos and if you can't find them let me know and I'll find the links!
Great idea if you have the time and ability to condition your horse's hooves to the surface you're asking them to work on. Rhi's schoolmaster pony (Georgie) is barefoot and you can see her working in a team and pair barefoot or booted across our channel. We also call it 'barefoot' over here :)
And one of the best surfaces to condition on! Like a big, flat rasp every time you go out. Much easier to work on than something uneven or with stones etc.
I've ended up clipping my welsh cob this year. His coat was like a thick blanket. I think it's been difficult this year because of the extreme changes in the weather.
When a horse in heavy winter coat gets a regular sweating with work, the coat sheds to a more appropriate level. Then they are gonna need particular care in cold weather, either by rugging or providing some sort of shelter. Rugs are no use at all if they are not removed during the day! In fact, they get too hot, itchy, resentful, and will scratch and tear them on the fences. Rugs make for a lot of work if used correctly, and a lot of expense and mending if not. So pull them off every morning and let them be a horse! Yeah! Bring back the heavy canvas NZ rug, with its heavy pure wool lining. Synthetic rugs these days are even more itchy, and do not breathe.
Absolutely 💯!! In Iceland, (*or possibly Finland.) there was a scientific study about this!! Basically, the horses were trained to "Ask" for the rug to be either put on or taken off. They were given the choice, (I bet some of them enjoyed being able to get their humans to come and do whatever they asked for,Lol!!) The only horses , who consistently Asked for a rug to be put ON , were the elderly and the unwell, ~ especially when the weather was colder than usual!! (*Of course they were also given a field shelter.) Perhaps we should give our Equines a Choice, ~ to Rug or Not to Rug?! There again, not everyone has the opportunity to live On-site for this to be a practical answer,,, unfortunately!! (*I'll try to find a Link to this study, it's fascinating, I'm sure that people would find it quite illuminating!!) Best Wishes and Kindest Regards, Andréa and Critters. ...XxX... Ps, ~ I Totally 💯 Agree with you about the old NZ rugs and the Breathable Wool liners, and taking them off during the day, generally!!❤
Thanks, you certainly are welcome to ask! We don't tend to lunge very much for a start! You can see a lot of what we do scattered through all our videos but we don't tend to do a 'start to finish' video because it is different for all the horses that come to us and we don't want people using them as a 'how to' guide for their own horses in case it isn't the right approach for that horse.
I drive indoors with two shetlands in the winter, without clipping they get rainrot from not being able to dry well enough. My oldest I clip in september completely, then rug and let it regrow adjusted to the rug, since he's a bit more cold sensitive. The youngest will be continueously clipped through winter. In March they get a spring clip, otherwise they'll be in summer coats by the time the new winter coat already comes into play as well again. They are very late spring shedders. So without the clipping I wouldn't be able to ride them for like 8-9 months out of a year. It is now august and my fingers already can almost disappear in their furs again, it is crazy how that winter coat is already coming along again. To do the only rugging them thing I would have to start rugging them mid-summer to prevent more fur growth. This is just how I do things for them, without clipping they have way less energy and do not play all winter. Winters have become too soft here for full-haired shetlands ready to withstand -40 degrees.
Shetlands have oily coats it’s to protect then in their native country…so sweet.
My 2 Shetland s aren't rugged or clipped they live out in the paddock all year they have a stable they can come and go to keep out the heavy rain we get here in Queensland they are hardy little fellows thankyou Barry andRhea for showing these wonderful ponies
What a cutie. 🥰 the little clip clop of his hooves are adorable 💖 it did make me laugh when you showed us the bus stop in case he got a bus home ! 😂 he's probably small enough to actually get on a bus 😊 . Another happy safe and confident little rascal going back home. And another satisfied customer! Great job Barry and Rhea. ❤
My three shetlands are driven throughout the winter. In the evening there is no time for them to dry before the night chill comes. So I clip a 20 cm strip at breast height around the pony: back and neck and belly are protected by a full winter coat against cold and rain while the breast and flank are short to help them regulate their temperature. This is also helpful when they go to indoor jobs in winter, such as geriatric wards or hospitals.
Now THATS a fun pony!!
Shetlands are so powerful for their size! Wow..
I agree. And they are real horses and enjoy to work though many people treat them like some kind of toys.
I drove Shetlands and hackneys as a kid and oh my gosh the Shetlands were like pillows in winter! They were waterproof and snow proof. Clipping would be unfathomable. All horses need their coats to regulate their temperature in cold and heat. We just didn't work them hard in winter so that they wouldn't sweat.
Awwww lovely to see our lulu too 🥰🥰🥰
Cameo! Knew you'd spot her ;)
I have given my welsh pony a trace clip and no fill rug for 2 years he has been with me. He came off a welsh mountain.
In that time he has had skin problems and ringworm twice.
I’m going back to basics this winter, no clipping or rugging. It is more inconvenient to us humans but that’s tough.
Very much so - good luck!
I've always used rugs. Keep thinking about clipping but always like my ponies the way they are.
Ive tried a full clip...then rugged...and a trace clip...but as my mini shetland was only worked for 2 to 3 times a week at 30 40mins work...light trotting around village l stopped clipping and rugging....he was happy with either....ive recently had to sell...due to ill health...but hes got a fabulous home...thank-you Barry for my driving fix...😊
Great video Barry....you're looking well too..!! What a cute Shetland....i agree with you about the clipping and rugs...! Be very interested to see how you get horses accepting a rubber bit from metal....in an ideal world...well my ideal world at least...they all would be bitless....x
We just put them in rubber and go from there!
I enjoy your videos. They are not only informative but also relaxing to watch. I have a very good mare in harness. She will go over all kinds of surfaces but not through puddles. Once she has been coaxed to do so, she will repeat the process time after time, but every new puddle is a new challenge. Do you have any examples of this?
You could have a look at Flash on our channel - he had trouble with manholes and puddles. So did Luna on another of our videos - have a search of our videos and if you can't find them let me know and I'll find the links!
What a little powerhouse shetlands have always been a favorite of mine.
Always enjoy my carriage rides with you thanks Barry
Glad to have you along! :)
Very interesting and informative video , a pleasure to watch!
He is so cute 🤍
Looks wonderful. A question: do you always use shoes on your horses? What do you think of driving “barefoot “ as we say in America?
The pavement is tough on their hooves!
Great idea if you have the time and ability to condition your horse's hooves to the surface you're asking them to work on. Rhi's schoolmaster pony (Georgie) is barefoot and you can see her working in a team and pair barefoot or booted across our channel. We also call it 'barefoot' over here :)
And one of the best surfaces to condition on! Like a big, flat rasp every time you go out. Much easier to work on than something uneven or with stones etc.
Maybe a trace clip would help.
Possibly! I (Rhi) use an Irish Clip for the shetland team when they're scurrying in the winter.
I've ended up clipping my welsh cob this year. His coat was like a thick blanket. I think it's been difficult this year because of the extreme changes in the weather.
The constant heavy rain seeps under the rugs eventually at the edges. Then milder days made the horses itchy . A very difficult year indeed
That was a beautiful village you drove through, what is the name of it please?
Chilbolton!
@@barryhook2 Thank you, it looks lovely.
When a horse in heavy winter coat gets a regular sweating with work, the coat sheds to a more appropriate level. Then they are gonna need particular care in cold weather, either by rugging or providing some sort of shelter.
Rugs are no use at all if they are not removed during the day! In fact, they get too hot, itchy, resentful, and will scratch and tear them on the fences. Rugs make for a lot of work if used correctly, and a lot of expense and mending if not. So pull them off every morning and let them be a horse!
Yeah! Bring back the heavy canvas NZ rug, with its heavy pure wool lining. Synthetic rugs these days are even more itchy, and do not breathe.
Absolutely 💯!!
In Iceland, (*or possibly Finland.)
there was a scientific study about this!!
Basically, the horses were trained to "Ask" for the rug to be either put on or taken off.
They were given the choice,
(I bet some of them enjoyed being able to get their humans to come and do whatever they asked for,Lol!!)
The only horses , who consistently Asked for a rug to be put ON ,
were the elderly and the unwell,
~ especially when the weather was colder than usual!!
(*Of course they were also given a field shelter.)
Perhaps we should give our Equines a Choice,
~ to Rug or Not to Rug?!
There again,
not everyone has the opportunity to live On-site for this to be a practical answer,,, unfortunately!!
(*I'll try to find a Link to this study, it's fascinating, I'm sure that people would find it quite illuminating!!)
Best Wishes and Kindest Regards,
Andréa and Critters. ...XxX...
Ps,
~ I Totally 💯 Agree with you about the old NZ rugs
and the Breathable Wool liners, and taking them off during the day, generally!!❤
You said we can comment what we want to see.. can we see you lunging them and different steps to you breaking them in
Thank you
Thanks, you certainly are welcome to ask! We don't tend to lunge very much for a start! You can see a lot of what we do scattered through all our videos but we don't tend to do a 'start to finish' video because it is different for all the horses that come to us and we don't want people using them as a 'how to' guide for their own horses in case it isn't the right approach for that horse.