What You Need To Know About Body Clipping Your Horse

Body clipping can help keep your horse from catching a chill on cold days after a hard workout. It also makes them easier to cool down and keeps them from getting damp. No matter your discipline or your riding habits, there’s a body clip style out there that will suit your needs.

Unless your horse is actively competing with the hunters at higher levels, a full-body clip is likely unnecessary. 

When preparing to body clip your horse either yourself or paying a professional- the absolute first step is to bathe your horse.

Using quality shampoo and a curry comb your horse needs a good scrub beforehand. Bathing makes the job easier & quicker for all involved. By bathing your horse beforehand, the clipper blades will hit less resistance which in turn means your blades will not dull as quickly or become hot making your horse uncomfortable and less likely to stand still for the job. Once your horse is completely dry you can start clipping.  

Appropriate clippers are essential for the job, Invest in a good pair of body clippers, with the right care they will pay for themselves & last a lifetime.

Classic whisker trimmers are not built for a heavy-duty body clip and the motor will easily burn out. They can be used for light detail work in hard-to-reach areas. For the cut to ‘match’ the body clip you will need a T-84 wide blade or an #8.5 traditional set of blades. The higher the number on the blades the closer the cut, with #40 blades being the ones your vet will use because they are ‘surgical’ close. #10 or #15 typically come with whisker/bridle path clippers, which are just close enough not to match the body clipping blades. 

 

Before I start clipping, my #1 "Must Have Clipping Accessory" would be a cheap painter's suit from your local hardware store. Size up for a full range of motion & keep that hair where it belongs, on the floor & not all over you & your clothes! - If you follow us on social, you’ve probably seen me in my ‘clipping suit’. Trust me, you will not regret this purchase!

I prefer to set up what I will likely need up off the floor so I’m not having to stop and hunt around for things. I keep the following items nearby, preferably up off the floor & out of the way of your horse's feet. 

What You'll Need

-Clean Oiled Clippers
-Extension Cord
-Grooming Chalk (I use a dry erase marker on white horses)
-Blade Oil
-Blade / Cool Lube
-Blade Wash (with a small amount already poured into a shallow tray)
-Spare set of new or freshly sharpened blades
-2 Towels - one for your clippers & one for you. 
-Blade cleaning brush / stiff brush to 
-Braiding bands to get the mane out of the way
-A twitch, just in case.

Now Choose Your Clip Style:

Full Body Clip

A full body clip commonly leaves a small fur saddle pad and two small "spur" squares. Popular with horses who compete actively year-round.

Image Courtesy of Metze Equine, LLC

Hunt Clip

A hunt clip leaves the legs & a fur saddle pad unclipped. Common with fox hunters & those who keep their horses show fit in winter months.
Image Courtesy of The Author. 

Trace Clip

A trace clip features a wide strip on either side of the horse. Stems from where carriage ‘traces’ (long branches of carriage that attach to the horse) ran along the horse's side. Shown below is a 'high' trace clip!

Image Courtesy of Metze Equine, LLC.

Irish Clip

An Irish clip starts behind the ears and angles down the mid-belly clipping everything in front of the swail. Popular with eventers, or to keep horses cool while maintaining high levels of fitness. 
Image Courtesy of Metze Equine, LLC.

 

 

Strip Clip

A strip clip features a wide strip under the belly up the chest, neck and, chin. Common on horses who live out but are also in moderate to heavy work. A great choice for lesson horses.

 

 

Blanket Clip

A blanket clip leaves the legs and a large ‘blanket’ of fur across the horse's back. Somewhat of a modified hunt clip, but offers more protection from the elements for horses who enjoy more time outdoors in the elements.

 

Once you’ve chosen your clip style, chalk or mark your lines on the horse's fur & you're all set! Plan on spending at least 45 minutes to an hour or more depending on the clip for this project. I like to clip mine a day or 2 before the first cold snap, I’ve found that they are more apt to stand still & appreciate the hair coming off while it’s still warm outside. Another quick little tip is the douse your horse in show sheen (let it dry first) before you clip. This will make the coat extra smooth and help the clippers glide right through!

Don’t Forget!

Have your horse's blankets clean and ready for use. Each horse is different and people can experience getting cold differently.

As a rule of thumb, if their ears and muzzle are cold, they might need a layer of warmth. 

Not sure what your horses' blanketing needs might be after clipping? Here are a few general guidelines for horses with a full or hunt clip.

60's and damp/wet - rain/turnout sheet

50°'s - Heavy sheet or lightweight blanket

40°'s - mid-weight blanket

30°s - heavyweight blanket, adding layers as it gets colder or to your horse's preference. 

Learn even more here! Check out some of our other blogs.

Our favorites are When Does My Horse Need A Blanket and How to Measure Your Horse for a Blanket. Happy Body Clipping!