Clipped, Rugged, or Natural? How Winter Coat Choices Affect Your Horse’s Skin

Clipped, Rugged, or Natural? How Winter Coat Choices Affect Your Horse’s Skin

A common winter question: “Should I clip my horse, and will it affect their skin?”

As winter rolls in, many horse owners are faced with the same decision every year: to clip or not to clip. There’s no single right answer, but understanding how different winter coat choices affect your horse’s skin health can help you make the best decision for your horse and avoid common winter skin problems.

At Stinky Stuff, we’re big believers in working with the skin, not against it, especially during the colder, wetter months.

Why Horses Grow a Winter Coat (and Why It Matters)

A horse’s winter coat is a clever, natural defence system. As daylight hours shorten, horses grow longer, thicker hair designed to:

  • Trap warm air close to the skin

  • Repel rain and moisture

  • Protect against wind and cold

  • Support the skin’s natural barrier

This coat works alongside natural skin oils (sebum), which help keep the skin hydrated and protect against bacteria and fungi (Scott et al., 2011). When the coat and oils are intact, the skin is generally robust and resilient, even in challenging winter conditions.

Why Clipping Can Be Important for Exercising Horses

For horses in regular work, clipping isn’t just about convenience, it can actually be essential for welfare.

When horses exercise in a thick winter coat, they sweat more heavily. That sweat becomes trapped close to the skin, creating persistent moisture. In cold weather, this can lead to:

  • Slow drying times

  • Rapid chilling once exercise stops

  • Increased risk of skin irritation and infection

  • Greater susceptibility to conditions like rain scald and folliculitis

Clipping allows sweat to evaporate more efficiently, helping horses cool down safely during work and dry off faster afterwards (British Horse Society, 2025). In this context, clipping is often the healthier option, provided the horse is managed correctly afterwards.

How Clipping Affects the Skin Barrier

While clipping helps manage sweat, it also removes part of the horse’s natural protection.

Clipped skin:

  • Loses some insulation

  • Is more exposed to wind, mud, and bacteria

  • Relies more heavily on rugging

  • Can become drier or more sensitive

This is because the skin barrier, the outer layer of skin that retains moisture and blocks irritants, is more vulnerable once the coat and natural oils are reduced (Merck Veterinary Manual, 2023).

That’s why clipped horses often benefit from additional skin support during winter.

Rugging: Finding the Right Balance

Rugs are essential for clipped horses, but they need careful management.

Benefits of rugging:

  • Maintains body temperature

  • Protects exposed skin from the elements

Potential issues:

  • Trapped moisture under rugs

  • Reduced airflow

  • Friction and rubbing

Regular rug checks, changing damp rugs promptly, and allowing the skin to breathe whenever possible all help maintain healthy skin through winter.

Leaving the Coat Natural: When It Works Best

For horses in light work or living out full-time, leaving the coat unclipped can be a good option.

Advantages include:

  • Preserving the natural skin barrier

  • Reduced reliance on heavy rugs

  • Better protection from wet weather

However, even unclipped horses can experience winter skin issues if mud, moisture, and bacteria are left sitting on the skin for long periods. Good grooming, drying legs properly, and managing turnout conditions are still essential.

This is where protective skincare can make a real difference. Stinky Stuff Mud Stuff is designed to help support and protect the skin during muddy, wet conditions by creating a protective barrier, while still allowing the skin to breathe. It’s especially useful on areas prone to persistent mud exposure, such as the lower legs, helping to keep skin comfortable and resilient throughout winter. (Mud Stuff - https://www.stinky-stuff.co.uk/products/mud-stuff-500ml)

Supporting Skin Health Through Winter (Whatever You Choose)

Whether your horse is clipped, partially clipped, or left natural, winter places extra demands on the skin.

This is where gentle, natural, protective skincare becomes a valuable part of winter management.

Using a soothing topical product can help to:

  • Support the skin barrier when natural oils are disrupted

  • Soothe irritation caused by wet, cold, or rug friction

  • Protect vulnerable areas such as clipped patches, legs, and rug rub points

  • Encourage healthy skin and hair regrowth

Products like Original Stinky Stuff (https://www.stinky-stuff.co.uk/products/original-stinky-stuff-ultimate-1st-aid-kit-for-horses)are ideal for areas of general irritation or sensitivity, helping to soothe and support the skin where it’s under pressure. In particularly wet or muddy conditions, Mud Stuff can be used to help protect the skin on the lower legs and other high-risk areas, supporting the skin barrier during prolonged exposure to winter turnout.

At Stinky Stuff, our products are designed to support the skin’s natural function, not strip it, making them ideal for winter use when skin is under pressure.

So… Should You Clip Your Horse?

Clipping is often the right choice for:

  • Horses in regular or intense work

  • Horses that sweat heavily

  • Owners able to manage appropriate rugging and skin care

Leaving the coat natural may suit:

  • Horses in light work

  • Horses living out full time

  • Horses with particularly sensitive skin

The most important thing to remember is this: changing the coat changes the skin’s needs. Adjusting your routine to support the skin properly is what keeps horses comfortable, healthy, and itch-free all winter long.

Key Takeaway

Clipping isn’t “good” or “bad”, it’s about matching coat management to workload, and then supporting the skin accordingly. With the right balance of clipping, rugging, and soothing, protective skincare, your horse’s skin can stay healthy and resilient throughout the winter months.

Horse Winter Coat & Skin Care FAQs

Should I clip my horse in winter?

Clipping can be beneficial for horses in regular work, as it helps prevent excess sweating and allows them to dry more quickly after exercise. Clipped horses will need appropriate rugging and extra skin care.

Does clipping affect my horse’s skin?

Yes. Clipping removes some of the horse’s natural insulation and oils, which can leave the skin more exposed to cold, wet conditions and increase the risk of dryness or irritation.

Can unclipped horses still get winter skin problems?

Yes. Even unclipped horses can experience skin issues if mud, moisture, and bacteria sit on the skin for long periods, particularly during wet winter conditions.

How can I protect my horse’s skin in muddy conditions?

Good grooming, drying legs thoroughly, and managing turnout conditions are important. Protective skincare, such as, Stinky Stuff Mud Stuff can also help support the skin barrier during prolonged exposure to mud and wet ground.

What can I use to support irritated or sensitive skin in winter?

Gentle, natural topical products, such as, Original Stinky Stuff can help soothe irritation and support the skin barrier on areas affected by cold, wet weather, clipping, or rug friction.

How often should winter skincare products be applied?

This depends on the individual horse, workload, and conditions. Some horses may need more frequent application during particularly wet or cold periods.

Do skincare products replace good winter management?

No. Skincare products work best alongside regular grooming, skin checks, and appropriate rugging as part of a consistent winter care routine.

References

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