{"id":1762,"date":"2023-11-16T13:56:58","date_gmt":"2023-11-16T13:56:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.citrus-lime.com\/rbe\/?p=1762"},"modified":"2025-05-13T17:35:14","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T16:35:14","slug":"how-and-why-you-should-clip-a-horse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.citrus-lime.com\/rbe\/how-and-why-you-should-clip-a-horse\/","title":{"rendered":"Horse clipping: how & why you should"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Many horse owners clip their horses, whether it\u2019s in the autumn and winter to remove a thick winter coat and keep them cool when working, to neaten up legs, or even for horses with conditions such as Cushing\u2019s that grow incredibly thick coats all year round. Clipping is a useful skill to learn if your horse fits into any of these categories.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Why Clip a Horse?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Horses can be clipped for many reasons\u2026.<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/span>The most popular reason is to help support a horse\u2019s performance and comfort. Around autumn, horses start to grow thicker, winter coats to help keep them warm on cooler days, but if you horse is still taking part in activities that cause him to sweat, this isn\u2019t ideal. Extra hair in the form of a winter coat can act like an insulating layer- a bit like doing a workout with a padded coat on. This can lead to an increase in sweat (which can create discomfort, hygiene issues and increased washing in the cold weather) and also a decrease in performance as it\u2019s harder for the horse to work.<\/span><\/p>

Some horses have medical conditions that mean they\u2019re happier if they\u2019re clipped. These could include skin conditions that require treatment as close to the skin as possible, or Cushing\u2019s disease, that means the horse has a long, curly coat all year round that doesn\u2019t shed, or something else. In this case, clipping can help with treatment and\/or keep the horse happier and more comfortable.<\/span><\/p>

Aesthetics is another reason that people clip- as in, they prefer the look of a horse that is clipped, or who has parts of their body clipped, such as legs.<\/span><\/p>

This is not an exhaustive list of why you should or could clip a horse, but the most common reasons are above.<\/span><\/p>

And don\u2019t assume that your horse will need to be clipped.\u00a0 Many horses cope perfectly well through the winter with their coats left intact, especially if their levels of work are relatively light.\u00a0 Others, particularly if they live outside, will need all their hair to keep them warm enough.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShop now the Liveryman Harmony Plus Clippers<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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So, when do should you clip your horse?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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There are lots of reasons why you might want to clip some or all of your horse, but generally people clip their horses due to seasonal changes or activity level.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Seasonal changes<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Autumn is the most common time to clip horses as it\u2019s when the horse\u2019s winter coat starts to come through. When you decide on which clip to do (more to follow), don\u2019t forget to think about the conditions your horse will be exposed to, his living situation, his workload and rugs too. Keep in mind that the horse\u2019s coat will grow back, so you might need to clip again in late winter and even early spring.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShop now the Lister Eclipse Clipper<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Activity level<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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If your horse is in really hard work, the chances he\u2019ll need to be clipped are much higher than a horse in light work. The horse\u2019s activity level will also contribute to when you do your first clip, and how often you need to reclip too.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Types of clip<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Now we know why to clip a horse, and when to clip, the next part of the clipping conundrum to consider is what type of clip:<\/p>

Full Clip<\/strong>– as the name suggests, this is when the clip removes most of the hair on the horse\u2019s body. Sometimes, people keep the hair on the horse\u2019s legs, and sometimes people leave the horse\u2019s face hair unclipped, other times everything gets clipped.<\/p>

Hunter Clip<\/strong>– very similar to a full clip, but a numnah shaped area of hair can be left where the saddle goes. This can help to keep the horse more comfortable in ridden work, particularly if a horse is more sensitive.<\/p>

Trace Clip<\/strong>– this removes hair from the most common areas that the horse sweats: under the neck, chest and around the girth and belly area.<\/p>

Blanket Clip<\/strong>– the easiest way to imagine this is to think of the area an exercise sheet would cover on the horse. This can help to keep the horse\u2019s hindquarters warmer, but leaves the neck, belly, chest and girth clipped.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Blanket Clip<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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What will you need to clip your horse?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Now you know the kind of clip that is going to suit your horse, you need to assemble your equipment. You\u2019ll need:<\/p>

\u2022\u00a0Clippers, with extra blades\u00a0<\/strong>– make sure your clippers are in good working order, are clean, and have sharp blades before you tie your horse up to clip.
\u2022 Extension cord with circuit breaker<\/strong> \u2013 as you move around the horse, you\u2019ll need extra cord (if your clippers are mains rather than battery operated) to get to everywhere you need. Also make sure you have a circuit breaker for safety,
\u2022 Grooming kit<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 this will be useful before clipping, during, and after.
\u2022 Oil for clippers<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>– to help keep the blades lubricated as you go.\u00a0
\u2022 A well lit stable<\/strong> \u2013 a stable generally provides a better environment for clipping as you have more control of the light, temperature, and other things that could spook or worry the horse.
\u2022 Rug<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 as you remove the horse\u2019s hair, particularly if you\u2019re doing a full clip, you\u2019ll need to put a rug on him to prevent him getting cold.
\u2022 Coveralls\/overalls\/clipping clothes<\/strong> \u2013 when you\u2019re clipping your horse, hair goes everywhere, so putting on coveralls\/overalls or clipping clothes can really help!
\u2022 Riding hat, boots and safety wear<\/strong><\/a>– some horses really don\u2019t like to be clipped, and others can react when clippers get hot or if they get tickled when you\u2019re clipping. Wear the appropriate safety kit to help keep you safe and protected.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Let\u2019s get clipping!<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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The clipping process falls into three categories: preparation, the clip, post-clip care.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Preparation<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Making sure you, your horse and your clippers are prepared will make the whole experience a lot easier for all concerned.<\/p>