Forever Horse Clipping by Helen

24/08/2026

🐴 PREPARING YOUR HORSE’S SKIN FOR MITES — ALL YEAR ROUND 🐴

Did you know that feather mites can be more troublesome as we head into autumn, winter and early spring?

For many feathered horses, mite numbers and skin irritation can increase during the colder months, with signs such as stamping, rubbing, biting at the legs, scurf, crusting and thickened skin.

The good news is that skin care shouldn’t only start when the itching begins — preparation and management are a year-round job. 🍃

🌿 SPRING & SUMMER — BUILD A HEALTHY SKIN ROUTINE

As the weather improves, take the opportunity to:

• Regularly inspect the skin underneath the feathers
• Check for scurf, crusting, irritation, thickening or changes in the skin
• Keep grooming equipment, rugs and brushes clean
• Encourage plenty of movement and turnout
• Support good overall health with appropriate nutrition
• Keep the skin conditioned without overdoing products

✂️ WHAT ABOUT CLIPPING THE FEATHERS?

This is an individual decision and there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer.

For horses with very dense feathers, carefully clipping or reducing the feathering can make it much easier to see the skin, keep it clean and dry, monitor changes and apply treatment directly to the affected area.

If mites have become established, removing the feathers may be necessary so treatment can reach the skin properly.

Clipping should always be carried out safely and with consideration for the individual horse. If the horse is painful, very irritated or difficult to clip, veterinary advice may be needed.

🍂 AUTUMN — START PAYING EXTRA ATTENTION

As temperatures drop and horses may spend more time stabled, this is a good time to increase your checks.

Look closely around the pasterns and behind the feathers.

Don't wait until your horse is stamping or chewing their legs before taking action. Early changes are much easier to manage than an established problem.

❄️ WINTER — KEEP ON TOP OF IT

Winter is when feather mites commonly become more troublesome.

If your horse has a history of skin problems, make regular leg checks part of your routine.

If the feathers have been clipped, it becomes much easier to see exactly what is happening and to keep the skin clean and dry.

🧴 CLEAN, TREAT, CONDITION & MONITOR

If the skin needs treatment, getting the product right down to the skin is important — especially with thick feathering.

Once the appropriate treatment has been used, don't simply forget about the legs.

Keep checking.

Keep the area clean.

Keep equipment clean.

Continue with appropriate skin conditioning where needed.

And keep an eye out for any return of scurf, crusting, irritation, stamping or rubbing.

Good management is about staying one step ahead rather than constantly chasing a flare-up. 💚

🌿 SKIN CONDITIONING

A suitable natural skin-conditioning oil or ointment may help support dry or compromised skin as part of an overall management routine.

If using essential oils, always choose horse-safe products, follow the manufacturer's instructions and patch test first.

Remember that skin-conditioning products do not replace appropriate treatment for an established mite infestation.

🧼 DON'T FORGET THE ENVIRONMENT

Mites can be present in the horse's surroundings, so hygiene is an important part of management.

Regularly clean grooming brushes, rugs and equipment, and keep stable areas and bedding as clean as practical.

If one horse has mites, consider whether other horses sharing the same environment may also need checking.

⚠️ WHEN TO CALL THE VET

If your horse is stamping, biting or rubbing their legs, or you notice scabs, crusting, hair loss, swelling, thickened skin or significant irritation, speak to your vet.

Mites aren't always visible to the naked eye and other skin conditions can cause similar signs, so getting the correct diagnosis is important.

💚 THE AIM ISN'T TO WAIT FOR A PROBLEM.

Know your horse's skin.

Check it regularly.

Keep it clean.

Condition it appropriately.

Reduce the feathering when necessary to allow proper access.

And most importantly — keep on top of the management all year round.

Because healthy skin isn't just a winter job. 🐴🌿

Prepare in summer. Monitor through autumn. Manage through winter. Keep checking into spring.

20/08/2026

I had the joy of clipping Todd a couple of weeks ago while he was preparing to travel down to the southern part of England with his owners. 🐴

Now, normally when we think about clipping, we tend to think in terms of the seasons and what we would usually do at a particular time of year. But it got me thinking…

Do we always base our decisions on the season, or should we also be looking at the situation the horse is actually going to be in?

Todd was travelling somewhere considerably warmer, and we knew he was going to have to cope with heat that he wasn't necessarily accustomed to. So, in this case, clipping wasn't about the calendar saying “it's clipping season” — it was about preparing him for what he was about to experience and helping him cope as comfortably as possible.

It made me wonder how many other things we do with our horses where we follow the “this is what we normally do at this time of year” approach, rather than looking at the individual horse and the circumstances in front of us.

I'm a big believer in looking at the horse in front of you, the environment they're going into, and what they're going to be asked to cope with, rather than simply following the calendar.

What do you think? Do you adjust your management and preparation according to what your horse is going to experience, or do you tend to stick to the traditional seasonal routine? 🤔🐴

19/08/2026

Please don’t wait until it’s too late 🐴❤️

With the recent incidents involving horse trailer accidents on the roads, I just wanted to share a reminder to all horse owners: please get your trailer checked.

I may be slightly biased, but my husband and his business partner at Central Scotland Trailer Servicing have recently achieved their NTTA 5-Star accreditation, and they are offering FREE trailer inspections until the end of August.

It really is worth taking the time to get your trailer looked over. A simple inspection could identify something that might otherwise become a serious problem when you’re out on the road with your horses.

Please take a look at the link below for more information, and if you have a horse trailer, please get it checked.

Your horses will thank you. 🐴❤️

[Link below]https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BpuyVW99L/

🚛 Apologies for the lack of posts recently!

It's been an incredibly busy time in the workshop, but we're delighted to share some fantastic news...

🌟 JRGM Technical Services LLP has achieved NTTA 5 Star Quality Secured Accredited Centre status for our Central Scotland Trailer Servicing Center workshop! 🌟

To celebrate this achievement, we're offering FREE Trailer Safety Inspections throughout August.

Our FREE visual safety inspection includes: ✅ Hitch and coupling
✅ Trailer body
✅ Brake cables
✅ Tyres
✅ Braking action
✅ Bearing check
✅ Light check

📍 All inspections will be carried out at our workshop:

Unit 8, Barnpark Drive
Tillicoultry
FK13 6BZ

Whether you use your trailer for work, leisure, agriculture or recreation, a quick safety inspection can help identify issues before they become expensive repairs or, more importantly, a safety risk.

📅 Appointments are limited and must be booked in advance.

📞 Call us today on 01259 235 993 to book your FREE inspection.

⚠️ Please note: Due to the limited number of appointments available, customers who fail to attend a booked appointment without prior notice will not be eligible to re-book a free inspection.

For more information about the National Trailer & Towing Association (NTTA) and the Quality Secured Accredited Centre scheme, visit:

Disclaimer: This is a visual inspection only. No repairs or adjustments will be carried out during the appointment. The inspection provides an assessment of your trailer's condition and apparent roadworthiness on the day of inspection and is not a substitute for routine servicing or maintenance.

If you know someone who owns a trailer, please Like, Share and Tag them—they might appreciate a free safety check this August.

04/08/2026

🐴❤️ Today is all about celebrating this incredible lad – Timmy. ❤️🐴

At 28 years old, Timmy has been on box rest for the last four months recovering from a superficial digital flexor tendon injury. While tendon injuries are never easy, Timmy has had an even bigger challenge to overcome because he also lives with Cushing's disease (PPID).

PPID is a hormonal condition that commonly affects older horses. It can weaken the immune system, make it harder for the body to heal, increase the risk of infections and laminitis, affect muscle tone and weight, and leave horses more vulnerable when recovering from illness or injury. Healing can take longer, and careful management becomes even more important.

Despite all of this, Timmy has shown us what is possible when a horse is given every opportunity to succeed.

His incredible owner Fiona Leslie has dedicated herself to his care every single day for the last four months. Cold therapy, magnetic bands, massage, meticulous management of his feed, medication, and daily routines have all played a part in giving Timmy the very best chance of recovery. There have been no shortcuts—just unwavering commitment, patience, and love.

So often, when an older horse is diagnosed with PPID or suffers a significant injury, people can lose hope. But Timmy is a reminder that every horse deserves to be treated as an individual. Age isn't a reason to stop trying, and a diagnosis isn't the end of the story.

Recovery takes time. Tendons heal slowly. There are good days and difficult days. But with knowledgeable management, patience, and an owner who believes in him, Timmy is doing amazingly well.

Today isn't just about celebrating his progress. It's about celebrating the power of dedication, the importance of giving horses a chance, and the incredible partnership between a horse and the person who refuses to give up on him.

Here's to Timmy—28 years young, living with PPID, overcoming a tendon injury, and proving that sometimes the greatest victories come from simply believing that recovery is possible. ❤️

Never write a horse off because of their age or a diagnosis. Give them the chance to show you what they can do.

09/07/2026

🐴☀️ As our summers get hotter... should we be thinking differently about how we help our horses stay cool?

For years, clipping has mainly been something we do during winter to help working horses regulate their temperature. But with UK temperatures now reaching levels our horses haven't traditionally been exposed to, is it time to rethink how we manage them during heatwaves?

We know horses lose heat mainly through sweating, and with that sweat they lose valuable water and electrolytes too. Replacing those losses with fresh water and appropriate electrolytes is essential.

It also got me wondering about the role of the skin. After all, it's the body's largest organ. Could products such as aloe vera help soothe clipped skin, support the skin barrier and improve comfort after cooling? And in the future, could science develop new ways of supporting hydration or electrolyte replacement through the skin?

At the moment, there's no evidence that simply applying aloe vera or electrolytes to a horse's skin replaces the fluids or electrolytes lost through sweating. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't keep asking questions and exploring new ideas as our climate changes.

With hotter summers becoming more common, perhaps it's time to look at everything—from clipping strategies and cooling routines to hydration, nutrition, shade, airflow and skin care—to help our horses cope with extreme heat.

💚 I'm genuinely interested to hear your thoughts.

Have you changed how you clip your horses in summer?
Do you notice some horses cope with the heat better than others?
What cooling or hydration methods have worked well for you?

Let's start a conversation. By sharing our experiences and staying curious, we can all learn more about keeping our horses healthy and comfortable in a changing climate. 🐎

24/06/2026

☀️🐴 **Heat Wave Warning: Don't Forget Pink Noses & Recently Clipped Horses** 🐴☀️

With temperatures soaring, many horse owners are focused on keeping their horses cool and hydrated—but don't forget about sun protection too.

Horses with pink noses and light-coloured skin are particularly vulnerable to sunburn because they have less pigment to protect them from harmful UV rays. Those cute pink noses can quickly become sore, cracked, and uncomfortable in strong sunshine.

But it's not just pink noses we need to think about...

✂️ **If you've recently clipped your horse, they may also be more exposed to the sun than usual.**

A horse's coat provides a natural barrier against the elements. When that coat is removed, areas of skin that haven't seen much sunlight can become more sensitive, especially on light-coloured horses or those with pink skin underneath.

🌞 **How to help protect your horse:**
✔️ Provide plenty of shade.
✔️ Avoid turnout during the hottest part of the day where possible.
✔️ Use a horse-safe sunscreen on pink noses and sensitive areas.
✔️ Consider a UV-protective fly mask with a nose cover.
✔️ Keep an eye on recently clipped horses who may need extra protection.

💧 **Hydration is just as important.**

In hot weather, horses lose large amounts of water and electrolytes through sweat. Make sure fresh, clean water is always available and monitor for signs of dehydration or heat stress.

Signs to watch for:
🔹 Excessive sweating or unusually dry skin
🔹 Increased breathing rate
🔹 Lethargy or lack of energy
🔹 Reluctance to move or exercise

Our horses rely on us to help them cope with extreme weather. A little extra care during a heat wave can help keep them comfortable, protected, and happy.

❤️ Does your horse have a pink nose, sensitive skin, or a recent clip? Share a photo below and let us know how you're helping them stay cool this summer!

17/06/2026

🔍 What’s hiding under the feathers?

One of the biggest challenges with **Chronic Progressive Lymphedema (CPL)** is that heavy feathering can hide what's happening underneath.

A horse may have:

▪️ Thickened skin
▪️ Early skin folds
▪️ Crusting and scaling
▪️ Mites
▪️ Mud fever-like lesions
▪️ Small wounds or infections

…and you may not notice any of it until the disease is already progressing.

⚠️ This is why many vets recommend clipping or shortening feathers on horses affected by CPL.

Treatment needs to reach the skin. If you can't see the skin, it's much harder to assess it, clean it, dry it, and apply medication where it's needed.

✅ How to check for early CPL changes

Part the feathers right down to the skin and:

• Feel for thickened skin around the pastern and fetlock
• Check for small folds or ridges
• Look for dandruff-like scaling
• Check for mites and irritation
• Smell skin folds for signs of infection
• Examine the heels and back of the pastern
• Feel for swelling that may not be visible

💡 In the early stages of CPL, feeling the legs with your hands is often more important than simply looking at them.

🐴 Practical CPL Management Routine

📅 Daily:
• Pick out feet
• Check skin folds
• Remove mud and debris
• Ensure legs are completely dry
• Encourage movement and turnout

📅 Weekly:⁰
• Carry out a thorough skin inspection
• Wash when needed using a vet-recommended cleanser
• Check for mites, crusts, sores, and new folds

📅 Long-term:
• Keep feathers manageable (or clipped if advised)
• Maintain a healthy body condition
• Control mites aggressively
• Treat infections promptly
• Work with your vet on lymphatic support, bandaging, or massage if appropriate
• Keep horses moving – exercise helps lymph drainage

Early detection makes a difference. Sometimes the most important thing you can do is look beneath the feathers.

08/06/2026

This is exactly why I started Forever Horse Clipping by Helen ❤️

Receiving messages from clients like this makes all the patience, time, and effort worthwhile.

'Thank you so much for today ! Tonight Bonnie been cantering about shaking her head n showing off her new look to the other horses,one of the other liveries thought it was a new pony 🙈we have been in stitches 🤩x'

Sometimes clipping isn't straightforward. Bonnie's first clipping attempt was unsuccessful, and rather than push her beyond her comfort zone, we made the decision to come back with veterinary support and safely sedate her. The result? Bonnie now feels like a brand-new horse.

The work doesn't stop there. Susan and I will continue working with Bonnie so that, in the future, she can hopefully be clipped without the need for sedation. Our first priority is allowing Susan to comfortably access Bonnie's legs, where we noticed some swelling in her hind legs, so we can monitor and manage her care more effectively.

What I would really like to highlight is that clipping has now become part of Bonnie's ongoing care plan. Bonnie lives out 24/7 with access to shelter whenever she chooses, which is fantastic for horses showing the early signs of CPL. With guidance from the CPL Awareness community and a proactive management approach, clipping can play an important role in helping keep horses comfortable and healthy.

By working together and making clipping a positive experience, we can help support Bonnie's wellbeing and ensure she stays as healthy as possible in her environment.

Thank you to Bonnie's owner for trusting us with her care. These are the moments that remind me why I love what I do. ❤️🐴

01/06/2026

One thing horse holiday cover always reminds me is how important it is to celebrate the little wins.

Sometimes the biggest achievement of the day isn't riding, training, or ticking off a long to-do list. Sometimes it's a horse who walks over and lets you catch them without hesitation. Sometimes it's seeing an injured horse take a few more comfortable steps than they did the week before. Sometimes it's watching horses stand quietly together, sharing each other's company and finding comfort in the herd.

These moments can seem small when looked at on their own, but they are the foundations of everything else. Trust is built in small moments. Recovery happens one day at a time. Relationships grow through quiet companionship.

It's easy to focus on the big goals, but the little wins are what make the big things possible. They remind us that progress isn't always dramatic, and success isn't always loud.

Today I'm grateful for the small things, because they're often the things that matter most. ❤️🐴

14/05/2026

# Tick Awareness for Horses 🐴🕷️

Before you turn out or head off on a hack, take a minute to protect your horse from ticks. They’re tiny, but they can cause irritation, infection, and even spread disease.

✔️ Pop on a safe repellent before heading out
✔️ Check your horse over after turnout, rides, and woodland walks
✔️ Remove ticks carefully with a proper tick remover

💡 Tip: Grooming daily is one of the best ways to spot ticks early.

✂️ Clipping Awareness
Ticks and old bite reactions can sometimes leave small lumps, scabs, or sensitive areas that become more noticeable when clipping. Always check your horse carefully before clipping, especially around the belly, chest, between the legs, and under the mane. Clipping over hidden ticks can irritate the skin and may spread infection if the area is sore.

If your horse is clipped, ticks can also be easier to spot — another good reason to keep up regular skin checks during tick season.

🌲 Where Horses Pick Up Ticks While Hacking Ticks are commonly found in:

Long grass
Woodland trails
Bracken and ferns
Hedgerows
Damp shaded areas
Overgrown tracks and field edges
Areas with deer, sheep, or wildlife activity

# # # Common Places Ticks Like to Hide

* Under the mane
* Around the ears
* Between the back legs
* Under the tail
* Around the girth area
* Armpits and chest
* Between the jaw and throatlatch
* Around the dock and hindquarters

🌿 Natural Repellent Ideas
Always patch test first and avoid sensitive areas.

* Neem oil spray (well diluted)
* Lavender spray
* Citronella-based horse sprays
* Cedarwood oil blends
* Apple cider vinegar diluted with water
* Herbal fly and tick sprays made for horses

💡 Tip: Grooming daily is one of the best ways to spot ticks early.
A quick check can make a big difference. Stay safe and enjoy your rides this season! ☀️🐎