poor quality coat after clipping

[BethBarritt]

This is the second year my horse has looked shiny and healthy after clipping, only to loose hair every place ANYTHING touched him - he looks dry, unhealthy, and has bald spots where the girth is, my leg, his blanket etc- I've tried Flaxseed along with Alfalfa cubes as a daily supplement- he is on Purina feeds with good quality timothy hay- blood work is normal- his mother does the same thing-
Explanations? Suggestions?

[ThatScaryChick]

Have you ruled out worms/parasites or any other medical issues? If so, maybe you could try adding some fat to his diet. Like some oil or some other supplement or feed that is made specifically for horses coats.

[lintesia]

My bay TB used to develop a really dry coat that looked just awful for weeks after he was clipped. One year I had him on Weight Builder and noticed that his clipped coat just gleamed and gleamed. In fact, even after I stopped giving him Weight Builder he never went back to having dry skin.

[Samotis]

we used to use healthy hair care on our horse before we clipped and then rubbed it all over them after a body clip.

It helps restore the moisture in the skin.

I have to body clip my 2 year old next month and I will probably start using healthy hair care soon.

[whbar158]

My horse is still shiny after clipping but his skin is sensitive and hair will often rub off in areas keeping his coat sprayed with coat conditioner helps reduce friction and keep skin from getting dry. Also suggest oil or another fat supplement.

[HeatherCK11]

Not sure what blade size you use to clip, but I've found the 7F is prime for body or trace clipping. Gets a nice coat, you don't lose the color.
Body clipping is pretty harsh on the skin/coat as it takes away the natural protection. Replacing those oils topically for a good 5 days all over makes a big difference.
Believe it or not, mayonaise is my choice. Sounds silly, but it works. A light coating each day and put a sheet on. No itchy horse and the coat shines.

[Go Fish]

I would agree with Heather. I'd bet dollars to donuts that a too-fine blade was used. The point is to clip as close as possible to the length/texture of the summer coat. If the blade used it too fine, you come close to skining the horse.

[Bluehorsesjp]

I have a horse that does the same thing. He is clipped with a standard large clipper blade which would be a 10 or 8 in a little clipper, so I know he was not "skinned".
His coat is not especially dry, not is his skin. I always do a warn baby oil, vertolin rub on him post clip job and he gets rice bran in his grain for fat, but he still gets blanket rubs, rubs where my leg is, where the girth is etc. It is just what happens in the winter.
I have had some success with fat in his diet. You might want to try corn oil or rice bran to help him out a bit.

[Seal Harbor]

I have a horse that does the same thing. He is clipped with a standard large clipper blade which would be a 10 or 8 in a little clipper, so I know he was not "skinned".
His coat is not especially dry, not is his skin. I always do a warn baby oil, vertolin rub on him post clip job and he gets rice bran in his grain for fat, but he still gets blanket rubs, rubs where my leg is, where the girth is etc. It is just what happens in the winter.
I have had some success with fat in his diet. You might want to try corn oil or rice bran to help him out a bit.

I've always done the baby oil and Vetrolin as well post clipping. Usually in fairly warm water, gets the little left over hairs off them, puts some oil on their skin and generally shines them up.

I use a towel and wring it out really well and then rub on them.

[shea'smom]

I have always used a 10 blade. I bought a 7.5 to clip dogs. Has anybody tried that? I have to clip for a second time this week and I hate that skinned look.

[BethBarritt]

Will try many of your suggestions-heading out to get rice oil today- will prepare better before I clip next year, and definately look at blade sizes- never thought of any of that! What a great resource all of you are!!