Shaving the Thelwell

Who's the cutest naked pony?
Guys. Bast grows an absurd winter coat. Seriously. His winter fluff could give a pony a run for its money. Until the end of December, it was cold enough in Maryland to ride him in the other barn's outdoor without making him too wet.

Unfortunately, we're now in that weird part of Mid-Atlantic winter where nights hover around freezing, but days can average in the 50s. This meant rides in the evenings were too warm for the ridiculous insulated parka Bast felt it necessary to sprout this year. The move to the new barn has meant access to the amazing indoor arena, where the temperatures are much warmer. This made for a very sweaty pony, and late nights waiting for him to dry enough to put away.
Seriously. No one wants to wait for this soaking fur blanket to dry.
I knew I'd need to clip him soon. So, I scheduled a hot Saturday date with my boy and his hairy pony body. Unfortunately when I got there, I realized my clippers were still in a box at the other barn. Ugh. Plus, when I peeked at my horse he was coated on both sides with thick dried mud. Insert bath time.
He was so muddy the water ran red with mud for at least 30 minutes.
While he dried I ran to get my clippers. Anyone else feel like owning horses is a constant stream of driving from place to place to assemble all the things you need to do a task? Cause I do...

Now equipped with a set of new clipper blades and my clippers, I set to work.
Behold the svelte beneath the fluff.
From the first swipe, I knew I was in for a real hair-fest. This thick thelwell-style coat almost compares to the ridiculous coat Jen's welsh cob Connor grows. I think his fur even made my huskies jealous!
Dude. You're a TB, not a Thelwell.
I have no idea why my thoroughbred grows such a ridiculous coat, but I was so happy to see it go away. Not as happy as Bast's excellent clipping manners made me, however. After years of having to drug and twitch Pig to clip him, having a horse who stands with his head buried in the hay cart while I clip absolutely makes my day.
The best boy!
I very nearly shaved Bast's legs, but decided to leave them for now. The silly hair shelf formed by his thick furred hind legs makes me giggle, but I might end up shaving it off come March. It looks rather silly, and the shedding will make me crazy.
All done!
After clipping off that insane hair blanket, it became much easier to evaluate Bast's condition. I'm a bit disappointed with how he looks right now. Stress made him break out in mild fungus on both sides of his shoulders/neck. Plus he lost some weight with the move, on top of being a bit thin before we left. He definitely needs more weight and muscle, which we are already addressing with the feeding and riding programming at the new barn.

Fingers crossed this boy looks more filled out and glossy in a couple of months! For now, I can't say I'm too disappointed in him. He's still awfully handsome under all that hair.
I mean. I'd buy him again. Wouldn't you?

Comments

  1. "hair shelf" LOL.

    He's such a dashing fellow, Thelwell or no.

    Also, all I can see in that last photo is his head. I completely and totally understand why you say it isn't refined in comparison with Pig's!

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    1. It's getting better as it lengthens out with age, but it'll never be that beautiful old style tb type face Pig sports. Sigh. My redheaded supermodel.

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  2. I love that you call it a hair shelf lol.

    If I had my druthers I’d do entire body clips all winter and completely skip having to deal with all that winter hair so I totally get it.

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    1. I typically do a final clip in late March just to get the hair as minimal as possible. Vacuuming pads is my least liked chore.

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  3. he is super good looking, even if you do have some 'projects'.

    I love any horse that I can bury in hay while I clip. I've been super lucky - indy was the only one who took issue with me clipping and that was because it took me 2 days (because he was so big, he totally dulled my blade and I had to go BUY A NEW ONE) and by the 2nd day he had developed like... clipper rash from the first day and he hated me A LOT for it. I don't blame him.

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    1. Haha Pig dulled my blades lots, because I could never get all the sand out of his fluffy behind!

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  4. Your TB version of hairy is hilarious (says the woman with three Haflingers and a half-Fells pony) :D

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    1. This was my exact thought! JR's coat would probably be this thick AFTER being clipped LOL

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    2. My TB is at least that hairy, and he's definitely not the hairiest one I know! Chestnut owners definitely have a different concept of "hair". ><

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    3. His fluff was definitely putting the draft crosses and ponies at my barn to shame. Though Connor and the halflingers definitely have some length on him.

      Also, Pig grows and absurdly long and shaggy coat. But it's nowhere near this thick.

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  5. I'm so glad i'm not the only one with a TB who thinks it's part Wholly Mammoth! Sierra has been clipped FOUR times since late October. I've given up at this point since she lives out 24/7 and we're into the 'brutal months', but plan one last clip probably beginning of March.

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  6. Remus is the bury his head in the hay cart for clipping. I have paid to get him clipped every year up north and every year whoever does him says yeaH I will clip him anytime he is so good. He is not clipped this year and even wearing a sheet or blanket has a thick as Bast coat. UGH shedding will be horrible this year.

    Also I agree with Bast having his legs for now you can trim them later, they protect so much when he is out in the cold/mud etc. He looks good to me I know coming Spring he will layer on some weight but he does look really good to me!! Keep up the good work!

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    1. Just shave him in the spring once it's warmed up enough. I'm sure he'll thank you.

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  7. He looks so good! Moe and Gina both grow ultra-thick winter coats, which is so annoying! I guess it's preferable to Candy, who grows nothing and freezes all winter long, but I hate clipping Gina for hunt season.

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    1. I kind of love clipping. It's like watching one of those makeover tv shows, only better because it's my horse getting an insta makeover, not some bratty kid.

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  8. I wish that Irish would grow such a coat! I have never clipped a horse for winter in my life. Can I ask why the hair is left in the saddle area? Is it extra padding?

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    1. It could be for extra padding. I do it for a couple of reasons.
      1. prevent rubbing from the saddle, clipped hair is prone to rub marks
      2. keep chafing or prickly sensations down. Clipped hair tends to stand straight up. While many horses tolerate saddles on clipped backs, I find it to just be easier to leave it and avoid possible ticklish sensations.

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