When to Clip a Horse & How to Do It Like a Pro

Unsure of when to clip a horse? Looking for some tips on how to clip them properly? Look no further — this handy horse clipping guide will provide you with all the hints, tips, and information for how and when it is best to clip a horse.

Why Should You Clip a Horse?

Horses tend to grow a thick winter coat as soon as the colder weather starts to draw in. This is ideal for horses that spend a lot of time outdoors with a rug as their winter coat will keep them warm and protected. However, if you’re working your horse throughout the winter months, a thick and heavy coat can cause all kinds of problems such as sweating, overheating, and an inability to regulate body temperature. 

Excessive sweating combined with heavy tack can result in discomfort and rubbing against your horse’s skin. Horse clipping minimises sweating, enabling your horse to dry and cool more efficiently. Keeping your horse’s legs and fetlocks well maintained can also prevent conditions such as mud fever as the mud won’t have any hair clinging to it.

When Is the Best Time to Clip a Horse?

Usually, the best time to clip a horse is between September and March, once their winter coat has come through. However, there are a range of individual factors that can determine when is the best time to clip your horse.

Clipping Schedules by Season:

• Autumn (Sept–Oct): Ideal time for the first clip as the winter coat begins to grow. Most common for horses in regular work.
   
• Winter (Nov–Jan): Clip every 3–4 weeks if your horse is still in work. Be cautious about removing too much coat during freezing conditions.
   
• Spring (Feb–April): Most horses begin to shed their coats naturally. Avoid clipping after early February to prevent interfering with summer coat growth.
   
• Summer (May–Aug): Only competition or cushings-affected horses are typically clipped during this time. These clips are more about comfort and coat maintenance.

When to clip a horse can depend on: how often you work it, horse breed and how quickly your horse’s coat grows. For example, if you have a competition horse, you may want to clip them all year round to ensure they stay cool, to minimise sweating, and to make sure they look smart. Leisure horses may only need clipping once or twice over winter, while retired horses generally don’t need clipping unless they have a medical condition or struggle with heat regulation.

Types of Horse Clips

The type of clip you choose for your horse will depend on how often you intend to work it and how you are planning to keep the horse over winter. There are many different types and designs of horse clips to choose from — some people like to get creative and make fun patterns, while others prefer a simple look.

TIP: Consider your horse’s lifestyle. Competition horses in hard work typically need more hair removed for better cooling. Leisure horses or horses turned out during the day will need more coverage for warmth.

Horse Clipping Styles at a Glance

• Full Clip – The full coat is clipped, including legs, head, and ears. This clip should only be used for horses in hard competition work who will continue to be worked throughout the winter.
   
• Hunter Clip – Most of the coat is clipped, excluding the saddle area and legs. This style protects from the saddle and leaves leg hair for warmth and protection.
   
• Blanket Clip – Half the head hair is clipped, but the leg hair is left along with a ‘blanket’ of coat from the withers to the tail. Great for medium-level work and occasional turnout.
   
• Chaser Clip – Similar to the blanket clip but leaving more hair on the neck to warm the neck muscles. Legs should remain unclipped.
   
• Trace Clip – Similar to the chaser clip, but only half the neck is clipped and more hair is left on the head. Ideal for light to medium work with outdoor turnout.
   
• Irish Clip – Hair is removed from the neck and armpits, where your horse tends to sweat the most. Perfect for young or lightly worked horses.
   
• Bib Clip – Hair from the front of the neck and chest is clipped, sometimes extending under the belly. Best for horses in very light work.

How to Prepare for Clipping a Horse

Before you start clipping your horse, it is important to ensure you are properly prepared for the task ahead.

1. Check your clippers – Look over the cables, blades, and tensioning before starting. Always read the manual for the correct tension settings, too.
    
2. Blade care – Your blades should be sharp and oiled. Blunt blades can tug on hair, slow down clipping, and make the horse uncomfortable.
    
3. Cleaning tools – Keep clipper oil and a brush handy to keep your clippers clean throughout the process.
    
4. Prep your horse – Bathe your horse the day before if possible, and ensure they are clean and dry before you begin.
    
5. Feeding – Give your horse a feed beforehand to keep them relaxed, and consider using a hay net or lick to occupy them during the clip.
    
6. Safe space – Clip in a sheltered, well-lit area to avoid wind, rain, or shadows that could spook your horse.
    
7. Mark your lines – Use chalk to outline the clip style you want.
    
8. Tie the tail and mane – Use a tail bandage and secure the mane to avoid accidental clipping.

TIP: Have a clean rug ready for post-clip comfort, especially in colder weather.

How to Clip a Horse

Confident with your choice of clip? It’s time to begin –clipping is a skill and comes with plenty of time and practice, so don’t panic if it goes pear-shaped on the first run. If you’re a complete newbie, it’s best to start on a calm horse with a simple clip style, such as a bib or chaser clip.

• Start by marking out the clip using chalk.
• Turn on your clippers away from your horse, then calmly approach.
• Begin clipping at the shoulder — the least sensitive area.
• Use long, overlapping strokes going against the direction of hair growth.
• With your free hand, pull the horse’s skin tight for a smooth finish.
• Avoid clipping over folds or wrinkled skin.

Clipping Troubleshooting Tips:

• Clipper lines: Use light, even pressure and overlap your strokes. Going back over lines with smooth passes can help blend them in.
   
• Nervous horses: Let them sniff the clippers before you begin. Introduce sound and vibration slowly. Start in small sessions if needed.
   
• Uneven clipping: Always clip against the grain. Check your blade tension and keep clippers oiled to prevent patchy results.
   
• Overheating blades: Keep clipper oil close by and check for overheating every few minutes. Use multiple sets of blades if clipping large areas.

When clipping sensitive or bony areas, have someone gently stretch the horse’s leg forward to make access easier. Once done, brush off loose hair and check for any missed areas. Clean and oil your clippers thoroughly after each use to keep them in good condition.

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