Choosing what is the best horse clip does depend on what level of work your horse is currently undertaking. A horse's long natural coat serves him well when he lives a natural outdoor life, it can be a handicap to a working horse and a problem to the groom/owner.
The long winter coat is designed for warmth and insulation, not cooling. When a horse works hard, his long coat becomes soaked with sweat and is heavy, creating un-comfort. The heavy winter coat is difficult to groom, as the body brush does not penetrate thick winter hair well, and the dandy brush only brings more scurf and dandruff to the surface, clipping shortens the coat to a bit below its summer length.
Why do we clip our horses?
Horse clipping offers several advantages, including quicker evaporation of sweat, faster drying, and easier grooming, while also enhancing the horse's comfort during work and improving its overall appearance. Clipping the neck and belly areas can be particularly beneficial if your horse is in moderate work, as these regions tend to sweat more during exercise, helping the horse stay cooler and more comfortable. While body clipping saves time and effort in grooming, it does require additional care as horses can feel the cold, such as blanketing your horse appropriately based on the temperature. It's also worth noting that clipping can sometimes temporarily alter the coat's colour, so it's essential to plan accordingly if appearance is a priority.
No matter how well you blanket your horses, they will grow a coat as quickly as you clip it off!
When should you clip your horse?
Answer these questions to decide what is the best horse clip:
Where does your horse live? If your horse lives outside most of the winter then you should only be considering a bib clip, leaving his legs and face on otherwise your horse could feel the cold.
What is your horse's workload? How much work your horse get during the winter, and how sweaty he can become is a big factor in determining when to clip.
How long does it take for your horse to dry off? If you ride for 30 minutes, it should not take more than 10 minutes for your horse to cool off. If you are finding your horse is taking longer to dry, then he needs a clip.
Bathing your horse for clipping
Preparing your horse for clipping starts with a thorough bath. A clean coat not only helps your clippers glide more smoothly but also extends the life of your clipper blades. Dirt, dust, and natural oils can dull blades quickly and create uneven results, so taking the time to bathe your horse beforehand ensures a polished and professional finish.
Steps for a Pre-Clipping Bath:
Choose the Right Shampoo: Use a gentle, cleansing shampoo that removes dirt and grease without stripping the coat's natural balance. Opt for products designed for sensitive skin if your horse is prone to irritation, should as Equaderm Shampoo.
Rinse Thoroughly: Ensure all shampoo residue is washed away, as leftover soap can clog clipper blades or cause discomfort during clipping.
Dry Completely: Always wait until your horse is completely dry before starting the clipping process. Damp coats are harder to clip and can cause the blades to overheat or tug at the hair.
Brush Before Clipping: After the coat is dry, give your horse a final brush to remove any remaining dust or debris. Pay close attention to areas like the legs, belly, and neck where sweat and dirt often accumulate.
Check for Skin Issues: Bathing is a great time to check your horse’s skin for any cuts, bumps, or conditions like ringworm. Addressing these issues before clipping reduces the risk of discomfort or spreading infections.
Types of horse clips
If you are new to horse clipping, deciding on what clip is best for your horse does come with a requirement to get straight lines. You can help yourself by drawing the outline of the clip onto your horse using chalk or by applying tape.
Body clips range from the full clip or all over body clip usually done on show horses to partial clips that leave the horse with much of his natural cold weather protection but shorten the coat over the places that sweat the most. A hunter clip is used on hunters that are standing around a lot, the body and head are clipped but the long hair is left on the legs and the saddle patch area in the shape of a saddle, which protects the skin on the back and keeps the horse's loins warmer.
Neck or Belly Clipping
This clip is best for horses that are in light work. You remove hair from the belly and up through the legs, to the underside of the neck. You can finish at the top of the throat or you can also remove the hair on the under-side of the jaw.
Chaser Clip A chase clip may be extended to include part or all of the head and neck, or along the lower edge of the hindquarters. This clip is useful for horses in moderate work that sweat at the bottom of their neck and flanks. There are a few ways to do trace clips, a high chase clip includes at least part of the neck and shoulder, and brings the line off the clip higher up on the belly.
Blanket Clip
Place an exercise sheet on your horse, and that is the outline for a blanket clip. Everything outside off the sheet is clipped. This clip is ideal for horses that go hunting or cross-country, because it helps keep their back warm.
Hunter Clip
A hunter clip is for a horse that is in full work. It however does require a lot or "rugging" because the horse cannot be left "naked" anytime during the winter, because you have removed his natural defence. With a Hunter Clip you will need to leave a saddle patch of hair. Using your chalk mark around your numnah when placed on the horse. If you try to clip around the pad itself, you risk the pad moving and then you will end up with no saddle patch.
Image supplied by: Jess Lambourn
Shoulder Rubs
When deciding on what is the best horse clip, it is important you check your horse's shoulders frequently to ensure the rug is not rubbing. As soon as there are signs of hair loss, treat the areas with skin protection like Vaseline. Rub it in well, leaving a little extra to prevent friction. Then switch blankets to find a better fit and pop on a chest rub to prevent further rubbing.
For the best appearance, and so that you will not have to repeat the clip again too soon, it is best to wait until October when the horse's coat is well established and the summer coat has shed. For tips and tricks for clipping your horse, click here.
If you start to clip earlier, you will probably need to do horse clipping every 6 weeks, although this varies from horse to horse and according to the climate. A full clip will usually grow out completely in about three months.
If you want to discover How To Clip Like a Pro, read this article and it will give you more information on what is the best clip.
Want to learn more about clipping your horse and the products used in this article, why not subscribe to Clipit Grooming?
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