When to clip horse
Clipping is the removal of the horse’s winter coat.
My first horse clip is usually around late September, early October and the last horse clip around the end of December, early January.
Some people clip all year round.
If you clip horse after January it will spoil his summer coat.
When a horse is working hard with a thick winter coat he will sweat a lot, taking a long time to dry out.
Sweating will also lead to weight loss.
When a horse is clipped, he will dry off quicker and this will save you a lot of time.
Clipping is also used to prevent or control skin disease.
Which type of horse clip!
Full horse clip
All the hair is removed, including the legs.
A triangle is left at the top of the tail.
Some thin-skinned horses have a saddle patch left on. This is done to ease saddle pressure.
Hunter horse clip
The legs are left unclipped to just below the elbow and stifle joint, and also the saddle patch.
A triangle is left at the top of the tail.
Trace horse clip
The legs are left in to just below the elbow and stifle joint.
Hair is removed from the side of the face, to the bridle line and the under part of the neck, from the shoulder, belly and thigh.
This type of horse clip is suitable for equines in light work or a first clip for a young horse.
Chaser horse clip
This horse clip is an extension of the trace clip, taking out the head and ears, leaving only the top of the back and neck covered.
Blanket horse clip
If you are clipping a horse for the first time a blanket or a trace clip is ideal.
This horse clip is suitable for cold backed horses or horses that easily catch chills.
It is also an ideal clip for horses or ponies that are competing in the winter months and may spend time standing around between classes.
This horse clip leaves the shape of an exercise blanket on the horse by taking out the head, neck, shoulders and belly and a narrow strip on either sides of the dock.
The simplest of horse clips is the neck clip, where the hair is removed from the front of the neck only.
It is mostly seen on leading rein ponies that are in very light work.
Horse clip
Some horses are easier to clip and will stand calm and relaxed whilst others are more difficult and resent having their heads or other parts of their body clipped.
A twitch can be used on the nose which some horses will accept and let you finish clipping them.
Other horses will not accept this and become violent making it dangerous to continue clipping.
In this situation you should not continue.
I would never use a twitch on a horse that is being clipped for the first time, as it will only leave a bad memory of clipping for the next time.
Patients is needed even it means taking a day or two to finish.
Small hand held battery clippers that will fit into the palm of your hand can be used to finish off the head.
These are ideal as they are small, lightweight and not as noisy.
Sedation is an extreme measure to take and should be the last option with a very difficult horse.
When you clip horse, he will need rugging to keep him warm.
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