Horse Clipping Video
How To Clip A Horse

From: Equestrian and Horse Video

See also: Clipping • Clipping Styles • Clippers • Clipping Video Part 2 • Clipping Video Part 3

Horse Clipping Video
It is often necessary to clip horses during the winter months to allow them to continue to work without getting too hot due to their winter coats, allowing them to cool off more quickly and help prevent chills.

The type of clip you choose will depend on the amount and frequency of work being done, the horses age, condition and temperament.

If you have never clipped before then ask someone experienced at clipping to be there with you, in case you run into any difficulty.

Clipping Equipment
Ensure that you have the correct equipment ready before you start clipping:

• Circuit breaker
• New or sharpened clipper blades
• Extension cable
• Clipper oil
• Clipper brush
• Body brush
• Clippers
• Rug
• Plaiting bands
• Tail bandage
• Leather head collar with a sound lead rope
• A treat for your horse afterwards.

Preparation For Clipping
Thoroughly groom your horse and ensure that they are totally clean and dry prior to clipping. It is often recommended to bath your horse the day before you clip to ensure that the coat is as free as possible from dirt, however this is not always practical during the winter months, especially if you do not have access to warm water and a solarium to dry your horse off afterwards.

If you are going to be doing a hunter, chaser or blanket clip put the mane into bunches as it will make the upper part of the neck and mane line easier to clip.

Then draw a chalk line where you would like the clip to run, ensuring that it is at the same height on both sides. It is also advisable to put on a tail bandage to keep the tail from getting in the way of the clippers and allows you to clearly see what you are doing.

Stable
Ideally clip in a well lit quiet stable, with rubber matting that has easy access to a power point. Remove water buckets and ensure that the floor surface is clear as it makes picking up all the hair easier and will ensure that your horse is stood on a level non slip surface.

In the video the horse is being clipped outside so that it is easier to view the clipping process, however it should be noted that the horse in the video is very experienced at being clipped even if he is a bit ticklish in certain areas.

How To Clip A Horse • A Blanket Clip
There are three related videos for how clipping a blanket that cover the horses main clipping areas from where to start to the finished clip.

• Clipping Part 1 - In the first video you'll see how the clip is started from the horses shoulder before moving on to the neck, chest and foreleg.
• Clipping Part 2 - In the second video we will be clipping half of the horses face area, this can be an excellent clip for horses who are sensitive around their ears or not in enough work to warrant a full face clip... View Horse Clipping Video Part 2 • The Horses Head And Bridle Path
• Clipping Part 3 - The trunk and hindquarters of the horse are clipped, this involves clipping the main trunk, flank, thigh and tail area... View Horse Clipping Video Part 3 • How To Clip The Trunk And Hindquarters.

Horse Clipping • A Blanket Clip • Part 1
The blanket clip will leave hair on the horse legs and on the upper section of the back and hindquarters, essentially forming a natural exercise blanket.

The height that you take the clip is largely up to your own individual preferences but as a guide the lower line of the blanket should sit at the base of your saddle flap, if you are uncertain then position your numnah or saddle cloth and mark out with chalk below where you would like the clip to run.

Blanket clips are incredibly useful for horses in light to medium work who may not require a full or hunter clip but require more than a belly or trace clip.

• Clipping A Blanket
  Begin by turning your clipper on, keep the power cable behind you and place your hand on the horse, this will allow the vibrations from the clippers to make contact preparing your horse for when the clippers actually make contact.
• Neck
  Starting at the shoulder use the clippers in an upward motion going against the lie of the coat, where possible use long strokes, clipping over the edge of the line you have just made this will help prevent lines being left. If the coat is very thick you may have to go over it several times until you can see what you are doing.
• Crest
  Along the crest of the mane you will need to take the clip as close to the mane line as possible without clipping into the actual mane.
• Point of Foreleg
  Use the horses natural muscle line as your guide to clipping the upper part of your horses foreleg which when complete will leave a neat triangular shape at the upper part of the foreleg.
• Clipping The Breast And Chest Area
  Clipping around the chest and between the legs can take a bit more time due to the hair often going in several different directions and if the skin has plenty of wrinkles. In order to clip this area gently pull the skin taught so that the clippers wont catch any folds of skin and can easily run along the surface.
• Clipping Around The Elbow And Girth
  In order to reach behind the elbow and under the girth area you will need your assistant to pull the foreleg forwards. The girth area on this horse had a sarcoid which had to be carefully clipped around so as not to catch it causing it to bleed.

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