5 Tips to prepare your horse for a clip
- lucygboseley
- Jun 5, 2021
- 2 min read
1. Rugging
Horse's winter coat is naturally more thick and long to protect them from all the elements. Removing this layer means you will need to replace it with extra rugging. Every horse is different and some run cooler than others so some may require more layers. Their paddock/stable situation and the climate or minimum overnight temperature may affect this as well. Usually a cotton, woollen and heavy doona rug is a good start for a full body clip. You can check this by running your hand under the rug near their shoulder - they should be toasty warm, not sweaty or cold.
2. Feeding
As their metabolism will be running at higher rate to keep themselves warm as they do not have a thick coat to do this, it is important to consider extra feed to help fuel this metabolism. Please seek professional nutrition advice if you are unsure.
3. Washing
To optimise the clipping quality, it is important to thoroughly wash and dry your horse prior to the clipping. In addition, I like to recommend rinsing your horse off with some shampoo after they are clipped to remove all the fine scratchy hair and any residual oil from the clippers to prevent any skin irritation.
4. Clip style
Carefully consider what clip style is most practical for you and your horse. Things like how often you ride, how sweaty they are getting, if you’re competing, how much rugging you want to be doing or access to shelter may help determine your decision. I like to only recommend a full body clip if you are competing in show events or if your horse is stabled due to the reasons I have stated above. A hunter clip is still stylish but leaves the hair on their legs where the rugs do not cover. The trace/chase/Irish clips are great to remove the sweatiest areas without removing the bulk of the thick coat that keeps them toasty warm on those cold winter day/nights.
5. Desensitisation
Most horses love being clipped, it’s like a full body groom/massage. If you are unsure about whether your horse would handle being clipped, it is always good to test first by slowly and gently running some clippers over their body. I always start at their nose and let them sniff them first then go to their shoulder and slowly progress over their body. Areas to be particularly careful and slow around include their ears, hind and under their stomach. If they turn their head I will offer the clippers back to their nose to reassure them they aren’t harmful. If they still do not like them, sedation is always an option - please arrange this before your appointment.
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