Clip Tips

By Sarah Gee
©Voice, August/September 2007

As much a science as an art, clipping your horse takes preparation, skill, and patience. Follow these steps and you’ll be on your way to safe, smooth, and stress-free clipping.

1. Make sure your clipper blades are sharp. If need be, buy new blades.

2. Create a clutter free clipping area in a low traffic area.

3. Place your clipping tools on a nearby flat surface for easy access. You should include the appropriate size clippers for the job, a bowl of rubbing alcohol, soft brush, two towels, and clipper blade oil.

4. If you need an extension cord, always use the heavy duty, outdoor type.

5. Use the right size clippers for the job – body clippers for the body and smaller clippers or trimmers for the face.

6. When using different clippers, be sure that the hair clipping lengths match up, especially for the face.

7. If weather allows, bathe your horse prior to clipping. If it’s too cold for a full bath, groom well or spot clean. Grime and dirt will clog and dull your blades.

8. When clipping, use a sturdy stool that doesn’t have a handle, you want to be able to jump free quickly without the stool tipping over or your foot getting caught.

9. Use a halter that has a snap to detach the throatlatch or use a grooming halter that has no throatlatch. You need to be able clip that area.

10. Get your horse used to the sound of the clippers before you attempt to actually clip him.

11. Have someone available to help you.

12. Be patient and allow enough time for the job.

13. Begin clipping in a less sensitive area, like the shoulder, instead of at the face or legs.

14. When clipping, don’t press down too hard. The weight of the clipper should be in your hand.

15. Pay attention to the corners of the clipper blades, they can poke your horse or accidentally clip more hair than you want.

16. Always clip against the direction of the hair.

17. If your clipper blades feel hot, you must stop. Hot blades are uncomfortable for the horse and tend to clip unevenly.

18. Clean your blades frequently by continuously brushing off extra hair and dipping them in rubbing alcohol.