What is clipping for welfare?

A common condition caused by an allergic reaction to midges and biting insects; it is thought 5% of the UK's equine population suffers from Sweet Itch. Irritated, sore skin and constant itching, particularly in the mane and tail areas are signs of sweet itch although itchiness can be anywhere on the body so horses may scratch or bite anywhere they can reach. In severe cases the horse may be quite restless and experience hair loss, bleeding, and thickening of the skin.

Using a covercoat blade to clip the horse can help by making the damaged areas more accessible to apply any anti-itch shampoos, lotions, or creams but still leave a protective layer of hair over the area.

For horse's or ponies with Sweet Itch we recommend Liveryman Harmony Plus Clipper with a Coarse 4.8mm Blade.

CPL is a lifelong condition, result of failing lymphatics in the lower legs, predominately affecting larger breeds of horse, such as Shire's, Clydesdale's and large cob breeds. Often horses with CPL are affected from a young age and the condition progressively worsens over time, however, the cause of CPL is unknown. This debilitating condition is a result of lymph fluid build-up in the lower legs, causing progressive swelling with associated skin folds, nodules and ulcerations.

Generally, clipping the feathers can help to make the horse more comfortable and allow better air flow around the legs. Not only this, clipping the area will help provide access to any sores associated with the condition, allowing them to be monitored, cleaned, and medicinal creams can be applied. It is vital the sores are treated to help reduce the likelihood of secondary infections.

For horse's or ponies diagnosed with CPL we recommend Liveryman Harmony Plus Clipper with a Narrow Blade.

Equine Cushing's Disease otherwise known as Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) is a condition where horse's suffer from abnormal hormone production by the pituitary gland. Excessive production of the normal hormones enter the blood and affect the whole body. Horse's suffering from Cushing's disease often have a long, curly coat and struggle to shed their winter coat. Other symptoms include laminitis, lethargy, excessive sweating, weight loss, and excessive drinking and urinating. Research shows the condition generally affects horses over the age of 10, with 19 years being the average age for diagnosis.

Clipping year-round can help keep horses and ponies affected by the disease more comfortable in warmer months. The horse's coat becomes very thick from being unable to shed hair therefore clipping year-round can help to allow horses to regulate their body temperature more effectively.

For horse's or ponies diagnosed with Cushing's Disease we recommend Liveryman Black Beauty Clipper due to the thickness of the coat.

Both Mallenders & Sallenders are caused by excessive keratin production, a process known as hyperkeratosis. The excess in keratin production causes thick, scaly scabs to develop on the skin, in turn this can cause the skin to crack or split, leading to secondary infection and soreness. Mallenders is when the scabs form behind the horse's knee and Sallenders is a rarer form of the condition, affecting the front of the hocks. As the condition has no cure and is generally in a location where the horse is constantly moving, it can be hard for the cracks and sores to heal; this means that management plays a huge role in controlling the affects of the disease.

Clipping affected areas can help maintain the area by preventing a build-up of dirt and scurf, helps to keep the area clean and dry, aids air flow around any sores and helps to keep the area accessible for the application of topical treatments.

For horse's or ponies with Mallenders or Sallenders we recommend Liveryman Harmony Plus Clipper with a Narrow Blade.