IT’S that time of year again where horse owners have to consider clipping. Although some competition horses are clipped all year long, for the majority of owners and rider clipping comes to mind as the summer draws to a close and the weather begins to change.

For most clipping isn’t the most enjoyable job but it is something which has to be done. Preparation is the key to making clipping as stress-free as possible.

Start to think about clipping before you actually want to clip, this will give you time to get everything you need in order. Ideally speaking, you should have got your blades cleaned and sharpened after your last clip before the summer. If you didn’t, check and clean your blades and get them sharpened if required.

You also need to check that your clipping machine is working and that everything is as it should be. Make sure to clean out the vents and check the electrical cord is safe and fit for purpose. You are likely to need an extension lead, unless you are clipping with a cordless clippers, so check that it works in advance and that it is safe to use.

Be safe and sensible

The first and one of the most important things to remember is that not all horses can be clipped with added assistance from a veterinary surgeon, so if you feel the situation is developing where you, the handler or the horse are no longer safe then stop immediately. It’s not worth someone getting hurt. Details of clipping more difficult horses are explained below.

Also explained below are the reasons for having an experienced handler there to help you clip. As already mentioned, safety is a big factor when you are choosing where to clip. Once you have decided on a location the next thing to do is be able to tie your horse up safely in this area.

Never tie your horse up directly to a wall or door. If a horse decides to pull back when they are tied directly to something they can easily injure the handler, you or themselves.

To avoid this you should always use baler-twine, or something similar to tie to your horse to. Attached the twine to wherever you would like the horse and then, using a quick release knot, attached the lead-rope to the twine. This means if the horse does pull back the twine will break.

Every horse is an individual, and each time you clip them you will find out more about them. Some horses are happier being held rather than being tied up. Be prepared for a certain amount of trial and error when clipping.

If you are clipping a new horse for the first time, try to find out what they are like to be clipped from someone who previously clipped them – this will help you start on the right foot with them.

Have an experienced helper

The next thing you need is someone available to help you clip. No matter how well-behaved you think your horse is, you can’t be sure that nothing will go wrong.

It should go without saying that getting someone who has never held a horse before is no use to you when you are clipping. You need to have someone as experienced as possible to help you. There are a number of reasons for this.

Firstly, you need whoever is holding the horse to read the situation. This allows you to focus on clipping and also means they can monitor how the horse is reacting and help warn you if the horse’s behaviour is changing.

An experienced handler is vital if you plan on clipping your horse’s head. This is not a must but it is a preferred option for most competition horses. Clipping heads is time consuming and it is highly recommended that you do it with a twitch on the horse. This means the handler, who should be holding the twitch, can keep the horse’s head as still as possible. The main reason for using a twitch is for the horse’s own safety. If they suddenly move their head while it is being clipped it can result in serious injury, for example if the clippers hitting the horse’s eye.

Choosing what type of clip

Always decide in advance what type of clip you are going to give your horse, as the last thing you want is to change your mind half way through and end up with a variety of different clip lines.

Factors to consider:

  • How much work will the horse be in? This is one of the most important questions to ask yourself when you are deciding on what type of clip to give. Horses in light work do not need a lot of hair taken off, usually a high or low trace clip or a blanket clip are the best options for horses in low to moderate work. Horses in heavy work are more suited to a full clip or a hunter clip.
  • Is the horse stabled or living out, and will they be rugged? Horses who are clipped will need to be rugged over the winter. If they are going to be spending a lot of time in the field you should leave the hair on their legs, this will help protect them in the wet and cold weather. The more likely the horse is to be stabled and well rugged the more hair you can take off.
  • What age is the horse? Often older horses don’t lose their coats as well so it can work well to alternate between the likes of a hunter clip and a blanket clip. This means you keep the hair from getting too thick and dense but you give them a little extra protection.For young horses, especially those who are just coming into work from the first time leaving more hair on is recommended. Most horses will feel fresh, especially when they have the hair taken off their back for the first time, so it is best to avoid this with breakers. A bib clip is an ideal starting point for young horses, it can usually be done very quickly, giving them a nice introduction to clipping and it helps to stop them sweating up too much when they are worked.

    • Clipping difficult horses

    Not every horse is easy to clip. As already mentioned, the priority is to stay safe. Don’t try to cut corners with difficult horses. Often the easiest and safest option is to get difficult horses sedated by your veterinary surgeon. If you have to do this then make sure you have everything ready for when your veterinary surgeon arrives.

    Sedation doesn’t always last too long so have a second clippers ready so that when one gets hot you can continue clipping with the second machine. Also, take the opportunity while they are sedated to tidy up and trim any other areas they normally don’t let you do, such as trimming their ears or pulling their mane. Some horses sweat up when they are sedated so start by clipping areas such as their neck and ears before they get too sweaty.

    Don’t be over ambitious with what clip you want to do – a blanket or trace clip can take more time to get the lines correct. A hunter clip is usually a good option and you can choose whether you want to clip their head or not.

    There are milder sedatives available which you can give to your horse yourself. These can help take the edge off some horses, but it is always safer to get the advice of your veterinary surgeon before using them. Some horses can look very sleepy on these sedatives and then suddenly wake up which can be more dangerous.

    If you have a horse who is spooky and unsure of being clipped it sometimes works well to have them in a stable near where another horse is being clipped so they get used to noise of the machine. If your horse is very noise sensitive, there are specially designed quieter clippers available.

    After-clipping care

    The best way to clean your horse once you have finished clipping is to hot towel them. This is very simple and only takes a couple of minutes. Use hot water with a drop of baby oil to towel down their body. This will remove any clipped hair and grease.

    Always sweep up all the hair once you have finished clipping. It may seem like the last thing you want to do but it’s a lot easier to tidy it up when it’s in one place and not blown across the whole yard.

    Clean the clippers and the blades and put them safely away ready for the next time. If you don’t do this the hair and oil will start to clog up the machine.

    Put the extension lead and anything else you had out away safely and ready for the next time. It’s a good idea to keep all of your clipping equipment together so you always know where it is.

    Once you have clipped your horse you will most likely have to start using heavier rugs. Have your winter rugs ready before you clip. During the depths of a winter an under-blanket may need to be added to keep your horse warm.