Your Guide to Clipping Your Horse (Tips and Tricks)

When Should You Clip Your Horse?

The decision to clip a horse depends on factors such as the horse's workload, living conditions, and the climate. Clipping a horse is typically done during the colder months, usually in the fall or winter, when the horse's natural winter coat becomes dense and long. Horses in heavy work, those with a thick coat, or those kept in areas with limited ventilation may benefit from clipping to prevent overheating and facilitate quicker drying after exercise. It helps maintain the horse's comfort and prevents excessive sweating, which can lead to health issues. However, it's crucial to consider individual needs, as some horses may require only a partial clip while others may need a full-body clip. Additionally, timing is essential to ensure the horse's coat provides adequate protection during harsh weather conditions. The decision to clip a horse should be made based on a careful assessment of its specific circumstances and environmental factors.

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How to Prepare Your Horse for Clipping?

Before clipping your horse, you’ll want to ensure you have all your supplies ready, a clip decided on, and the time to bathe and clip your horse. Clipping is easiest on a clean, dry horse. Bathing the night before yields the best results, as a clean and dry coat will offer a more even clip. After bathing, do not spray and coat conditioners or similar products on your horse, as they can dull your clipper blades. If bathing isn’t an option, grooming your horse well beforehand will also reduce the dirt and dust in your horse’s coat, which can dull your clipper blades.

Choosing the right clipper blades can seem daunting, but there are a few easy ways to know what will work best. For most heavy-duty body clippers, there is a set blade for each clipper model, so there isn’t room to mix and match with those. With Multi-purpose clippers, it’s best to stick to the same brand as your clipper, but there are a few size/hair length options. You’ll want to choose the blade based on how short you want the hair to be, the higher the number, the shorter the hair it leaves. A #40 blade offers the closest clip and is often used for ears, muzzles, or surgical prep. For body clipping with a multi-purpose, it is recommended to use either a #10 blade or a T-84, the T-84 is a wider blade and leaves the hair barely longer than a #10 blade would. Check out this Guide to Choosing the Best Clippers for more information.

Once you’ve chosen the right clipper and blade combination, you’ll want to ensure you have additional clipper supplies. Ensure you have blade oil, coolant, and wash to keep your clipper and blades clean and running well throughout the process. Extra blades are also advisable in case your original set gets dull or too hot throughout the process. Take stock of where you’ll be clipping and what clip you plan to do. If you’re doing a full-body clip, you may need a step stool to reach certain areas of your horse, or you may want chalk to outline a pattern for a trace clip. Keep your grooming tote and extra rags handy as you may need to brush excess hair off your horse, clippers, or even yourself.

Guide to Choosing the Best Clippers

What are the Different Clipping Patterns?

Clipping patterns offer tailored solutions to address the diverse needs of horses across various disciplines and climates. As the seasons change and horses engage in varying physical activity levels, choosing the appropriate clipping pattern is essential for maintaining their health, comfort, and performance. From the practical full-body clip to intricate patterns that balance aesthetics with functionality, the diverse array of clipping styles reflects the nuanced requirements of individual horses.

The most common clipping patterns for horses are the:

1. Full body clip
2. Hunter clip
3. Blanket clip
4. Chaser clip
5. Trace clip
6. Irish Clip
7. Bib/Strip Clip

Full-Body Clip

This clip removes all hair from the body, head, and legs. This is best for horses in hard work.

Hunter Clip

Best for horses in medium to hard work. This clip leaves hair only in the saddle area and on the legs. Some people will leave the head unclipped with a hunter clip or blend the clip onto the head.

Blanket Clip

Best for horses in medium work. This clip allows more airflow to the neck, chest, and belly while keeping hair on the back, legs, and face where your horse is less likely to sweat.

Chaser Clip

Best for horses in medium work. This clip removes more hair from the neck and head than the trace clip to allow airflow to the most common sweat areas but keeps the back and crest of the neck warm.

Trace Clip

Another great option for horse’s being turned out in all weather or long periods of time. This clip removes hair from the front of the neck and chest and along the horse’s sides and belly.

Irish Clip

Another clip best for horses in light work. Paired with a blanket suitable to your climate this clip allows your horse to stay warm. Hair is clipped from the neck and girth area leaving your horse’s back, haunches, and legs unclipped.

Bib/Strip Clip

This clip removes the least amount of hair. Sometimes this clip can continue between the front legs onto the belly where the girth would sit. Best for horses in light work, new to clipping, or who are turned out in all weather conditions.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Clip a Horse

Clipping a horse involves several steps to ensure a smooth and stress-free process. Here's a basic guide on how to clip a horse:

1. Gather Supplies: Ensure you have all necessary equipment, including a reliable clipper, clipper blades suitable for the desired clipping pattern, a clean and well-lit grooming area, extension cords, a sturdy halter, and grooming tools such as a curry comb and brushes.


2. Prepare the Horse: Ensure the horse is securely and safely tied in a well-lit, well-ventilated area. Ensure the horse is clean and dry before clipping to prevent dulling the clipper blades and causing discomfort to the horse.


3. Choose the Clipping Pattern: Select the appropriate clipping pattern based on the horse's needs and the climate.


4. Trim Excess Hair: Use scissors or trimmers to shorten excessively long hair, especially around the head, ears, and legs. This helps prevent clogging and strain on the clippers.


5. Acquaint the Horse with Clippers: Turn on the clippers away from the horse to help them get accustomed to the sound. Gently introduce the clippers to different parts of the horse's body before starting the actual clipping.


6. Start Clipping: Starting at the shoulder, clipping in the direction of hair growth, using long, smooth strokes. Keep the clippers flat against the skin to achieve an even cut. Pay attention to sensitive areas like the belly, flank, and legs.


7. Maintain Blade Sharpness: Check the clipper blades for sharpness, brush them, and lubricate them to ensure smooth operation about every 10 minutes or as needed. Dull blades can cause discomfort to the horse and may result in an uneven clip.


8. Take Breaks: Clipping can be time-consuming, so take breaks to prevent the clippers from overheating. This also allows the horse to relax, reducing stress.


9. Finish and Clean Up: Complete the clipping according to the chosen pattern. Once done, brush off loose hair and give the horse a final grooming to remove any remaining clippings. A hot oil bath is a great idea to help your horse shine and feel comfortable after being clipped.


10. Post-Clipping Care: After clipping, consider blanketing the horse to provide warmth, especially during colder weather. Additionally, monitor the horse for signs of discomfort or skin irritation, and apply soothing ointments if necessary.

Always approach clipping with patience and sensitivity, ensuring the horse's comfort throughout the process. Each horse is unique, so adapt the clipping technique based on their individual temperament and needs.