Similarly, if a domesticated horse is pastured outside most of the time, it will grow and shed its coat according to the seasons. However, most domesticated horses do not spend all their time in the weather, and instead are stabled indoors for shelter and warmth. This factor interferes with the natural growth and shedding process and can create problems for horses. Horses with heavy coats can easily become overheated, which leads to excessive sweating. A heavier coat takes longer to dry naturally, leaving the horse wet and cold for long periods of time.
Long coats are also much harder to groom and maintain.
These factors all contribute to the occasional need for clipping a horse s coat. Before you actually pick up the clippers, it is important to determine what actually needs to be done. Horses should be assessed individually, since different horses have different needs. For example, horses that are ridden in warm climates will need more clipping than horses that are pastured where temperatures drop in the winter months. Another factor to consider before clipping is how the horse will be used.