What is clipping a horse?

Horse body clipping involves shaving a horse's thick winter coat off in strategic areas where sweat typically gathers most. Clipping is especially popular choice for riders who continue training in colder temperatures and need their horses to dry quicker post-exercise.

What is the purpose of clipping a horse?

Horse Clipping minimises sweating and will enable him to dry and cool off more effectively. Horse clipping will prevent your horse from catching a chill and it will also cut down on grooming time. Clipping is also a great way to encourage their coat to grow back nicer and glossier for summer.

Is clipping a horse cruel?

Myth #1 Clipping horses is cruel.

MEH, this is mostly a myth. It's actually cruel to ignore your horse's health and comfort. Some horses don't need to be clipped. Without certain allowances like blankets, skipping a clip is mostly fine if your horse won't get too hot.

When should you clip a horse?

For the average horse the ideal time to clip is October, once their winter coat has come through. Depending on how quickly your horse's coat grows will depend on how often you will need to clip. The average horse will need clipping every 3-5 weeks until Christmas to keep on top of hair growth.

Can you clip a horse in summer?

Can you clip your horse during the summer months? YES! Absolutely! Clipping horses doesn't just have to be kept for the winter months.

Should I clip my cob?

Clipping off the hair on a very regular basis, will ensure that the skin is kept free from bugs and irritation, but does mean clipping almost weekly! It is much easier to keep on top of the leg clipping by clipping every other week, this makes the job a lot quicker, as the hair is never allowed to get out of control.

Should I clip my horses legs?

For cobs and heavy horses, the clipping of legs can be a huge relief. The dense leg hair can encourage mites and other skin biting insects, which in turn lead to various skin infections.

What to do after clipping a horse?

Wipe the surfaces down with a clean cloth. Then oil the clippers and blades and place both neatly back in their case. Store them in a dry place so that they don't rust. In the days following the clip, it's important to keep the coat and skin well-conditioned.

How do you prevent lines when clipping a horse?

Keep the blades parallel to the coat and keep an even pressure. Make sure you slightly overlap each line you are clipping to avoid “tram lines”.

Can you shave a horse?

It is best to start shaving horses at the beginning of the fall, when they start to shed hair, so around September or October. Usually, the hair grows back in 5 to 6 weeks, and then it is time for another shaving around December. The last shaving, if needed, can be done in February.

Can you clip a foal?

The issue of clipping foals caused controversy for the second year running at Solihull Foal Show (25 November). It is clearly stated both in the rules — and on a sign prominently displayed in the collecting ring — that clipping of foals is not allowed.

Is it good to body clip a horse?

Body clipping allows the horse to release body heat without becoming sweaty, preventing them from becoming wet and difficult to cool down. It also has the added benefit of shortening the grooming process, as dirt and shavings are easier to brush off of clipped hair.

Can I clip my horse in April?

“When I was showing my cob, we would clip right up to March or even April and still got great feedback from judges from spring shows onwards. However, you do need to be careful of old clip lines, for example if you've done a trace or blanket clip at some point, and these need removing in good time.”

Should you bathe a horse before clipping?

2 If it's warm enough, bath your horse thoroughly before clipping him to remove dirt and excess grease from his coat. If the weather is too cold for a full bath, spot cleaning particularly grimy areas, hot clothing or a thorough groom will remove the worst of the dirt.

Are horses fresh after clipping?

Don't expect to get on your horse as soon as its clipped. Often horses will feel very fresh once they are clipped and it is advisable to turn them out for a few hours to allow them to feel the wind on their skin before you get on!

Should I wash my horse after clipping?

After clipping your horse:

A good grooming and possible rinse following a body clip can help ensure an itch-free feeling.

Can you clip a horses face?

Use the appropriate clippers and blade for the job.

You definitely don't want to use the large shear-type clippers on your horse's face. You also don't want to use a body clipper that has a wide blade. Stick to either a smaller lightweight trimmer or go for a body clipper that has a regular-sized blade.

How late can you clip a horse?

A horse's coat tends to grow quickest between September and December and so, during this time, it is best to clip your horse every 3-4 weeks. Most people will stop clipping their horse at the end of January because this is when most horse's tend to start growing their summer coats.

Should you clip your horse in winter?

Your horse can usually be clipped for the first time each year during October. The winter coat continues to grow, but usually not as thickly as the original unclipped coat. One or two additional clips may be necessary during the winter, but the coat should not be clipped after early to mid-January.

How do you clip a horse for the first time?

Go up to your horse first to say hello without any equipment. Give him a treat and let him smell you. People clipping often wear suits that can be scary to a young horse. Once he's happy, start with trimmers — turn them on and off and, as long as he doesn't show signs of being nervous, stroke him with them.

How do you clip a horse for beginners?

6. Introducing the clippers to the horse

1. Show the horse the clippers while they are turned off.
2. Rub the clippers against the horse's shoulder.
3. Take the clippers away and turn them on. ...
4. Take the clippers gently to the horse and place against the horse to feel the vibration.
5. If the horse appears relaxed you can start clipping.

Can you clip a horse in February?

Owners that show often leave their last clip to February, just before the season starts. However, other show horses are clipped all year round. Some people simply feel that there is no such thing as a last date to clip. You can clip all year round with no problem!

Can you clip a white horse?

You will also need to consider your horse's color. White horses have pink skin, and thus are very susceptible to sunburn. I have actually seen a white horse that wasn't clipped with sunburn blisters. Chestnuts are usually a pumpkin color and some bays turn a bit mousy when clipped.