Clips

Different haircuts or ‘clips’ can help us manage different horse health issues.

Cushings Clip

Equine Cushings Disease is a problem of the hormone (or endocrine) system of the horse. It is also called Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction. It is an age related condition which has many affects in the body, including changes to hair growth, loss of muscle and laminitis, a painful foot condition. One of the symptoms can be excessively long and thick coats which do not shed in the usual way. This can be a problem for horses as they can become overly hot and sweaty as a result. A clip can help to keep the horses comfortable and help them to regulate their temperatures better. This is one of the ways that we manage Cushings disease alongside dietary and medical management. There is no cure for Cushings disease so management and care is lifelong.

Weight Loss Clip

Equine obesity or being overweight can cause a range of health issues and concerns. Some donkeys, horses and ponies are on a weight management program where we may use a number of ways to help them gradually reduce their weight to a safe body condition. This includes dietary management and exercise. One of the other ways we may help is through a weight loss clip. By reducing the amount of thick coat through clipping, the animals use more energy to keep themselves warm and this can help them to lose weight. We remove the hair from their neck and belly. We make sure that they are protected from the elements such as rain and wind by leaving the hair across their back intact. Our equines are checked regularly to make sure they’re not too cold.

Sweet Itch Clip

Sweet itch is also known as Summer Seasonal Recurrent Dermatitis or Equine Insect Bite Hypersensitivity. It is the most common allergic disease in horses, donkeys ponies and mules and can affect all types and breeds. It is caused by an allergic reaction to the saliva of midges where the body has an immune reaction and can attack its own cells. Animals are most commonly affected between March and November when biting flies are more active. Symptoms commonly include excessive itchiness and rubbing, particularly around the face, the base of the mane and tail. Affected animals can cause itch so much that they cause sores and have inflamed thick skin. There is no cure for sweet itch so symptoms reoccur every year as insect populations increase. We manage horses in a number of ways- keeping them away from large ponds or stagnant water where midges breed, using special fly rugs which prevent the flies from biting from the skin, applying fly repellents and medical management to reduce symptoms and keep equines as comfortable as possible. If a horse has rubbed and caused sores, it can be useful to clip off the hair around the top of the tail or the mane so the sores can be easily cleaned and treated with lotions.

Medical Clip

You may see some of our horses with clipped patches on their body, possibly on their necks, sides or legs, due to a recent veterinary procedure or treatment.