Step-by-step guide to clipping a horse, with expert tips and video guidance
Whether you prefer to watch and listen or read instructions, find out how to clip a horse from start to finish
Knowing how to clip a horse will help you tackle the task with confidence. We’ve put together a step-by-step guide, gathered up some expert tips and dug out a video that shows you how to clip a horse from start to finish.
Before you start, make sure you’ve got the best clippers for the job and decide which type of clip you’re going to do.
How to clip a horse
This archive video (filmed in 2008) of Mary King and her former groom Jodie Summers clipping out the late Kings Temptress contains expert advice on what to wear, where to do it and how to get it right.
Before you start
1. Check your kit
Make sure that...
- your clippers are working
- the blades are in good order and have been recently sharpened
- the tension is correct – this is different for each clipper brand so check the instruction manual
- you apply clipper oil (like this one from Wahl) along the teeth of the blades and on the sides at the heel
2. Wear appropriate clothing
- Wear sturdy footwear, like a pair of yard boots, ideally with steel toecaps
- Avoid fleecy clothes – overalls are ideal but a long waterproof riding coat and/or waterproof trousers are a great alternative
- Use a cap to keep your hair back or a riding hat for extra safety
3. Select the right location
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- Outside gives good natural light
- Indoors is best in wet weather and will contain the clipped hair better
- Choose a place where your horse is relaxed
- If your have mains-powered clippers, you need to be near a power source. You also need a circuit breaker (like this one on Amazon) and be careful your horse does not stand on the cable
4. Make sure your horse has a clean, dry coat
This helps to prevent the blades becoming blunt and helps the clippers glide through your horse’s coat easily.
Grooming is generally not enough, so hot cloth or bath your horse first. They must be completely dry before you start, so you may need to do this the day before and stable them overnight.
5. Ensure mane and tail are out of the way
Do what you can to make sure the main and tail won’t get in the way of your clippers. You could apply a tail bandage and tie up the mane with plaiting bands.
6. Draw your lines
Mark up where you’re going to clip using dressmakers chalk (like this from Amazon).
During the clip
1. Start on a less sensitive area
Beginning at the shoulder will help your horse get used to the sensation.
2. Go against the hair
Always move the clippers in long, smooth, overlapping strokes against the natural direction of hair growth. Adjust your angle when navigating whorls.
Clip against the direction of hair growth
3. Pull the skin taut
Use your free hand to stretch and pull the skin tight around folds, wrinkles, and loose areas to prevent the clippers from catching the skin.
When clipping around the front legs and elbows, ask a helper to pull your horse’s front leg forward. This flattens the skin creases so you can pass over safely.
4. Go steady in tricky areas
If clipping the face, work slowly around the eyes, and avoid clipping the whiskers around the muzzle or eyes.
5. Tend to your blades
Stop every 10 minutes to clean the hair from the blades and apply oil along the teeth of the blades and also on the sides at the heel.
If the blades start to get hot, stop and set them aside to cool down, or swap to new blades. Apply a blade coolant spray (like this one) if necessary. Do not put the blades in water or paraffin to cool them.
6. Inspect your work
Step back and view your horse from different angles in good lighting. Spot any lines or uneven areas and correct them as needed.
After the clip
1. Wipe your horse down with a warm, damp sponge to remove any loose hair, then rug up appropriately. You’ll need to reconsider which rug your horse needs now that you’ve removed some or all of his insulating coat.
2. Care for your clippers:
- Brush off all the loose hairs
- Remove the tension set and the blades
- Clean the blades with a brush and/or rag and put them away. Do not put them back on the handset while in storage
- Clean the handset and pack away carefully
- Store your clippers in a cool, dry place
- Send your clippers and blades away at the end of the clipping season to be serviced and sharpened ready for the following year
How to introduce a horse to clippers
- Show your horse the clippers while they are turned off
- Rub the clippers against your horse’s shoulder
- Take the clippers away and turn them on, then let the horse listen to the noise
- Place the clippers gently on your horse’s side so he can feel the vibration
- If he horse appears relaxed, you can start clipping
Legs are an area that horses are more likely to be averse to you clipping, so avoid starting here
Tips to avoid lines when clipping
- Overlap your previous stroke by about half the blade width to blend edges smoothly
- Use sharp blades – dull blades catch the hair and leave obvious tracks
- Maintain correct tension – adjust your clipper tension properly; too much tension strains the motor and leaves ridges
- Keep your clippers flat – hold the blades level against the skin and avoid tilting the corners
How long does it take to clip a horse?
There are many factors influencing how long it takes to clip a horse, but the average guide is 1–3 hours. Partial clips can take less time. The time it takes depends on...
- horse’s behaviour
- the type of clip
- coat thickness
- experience of person clipping
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Georgia is Horse & Hound’s deputy website editor and equestrian products expert. She curates content across the website with a particular focus on upcoming equestrian events horse care and buying advice. She also manages all the ecommerce opportunities that allow us to give you easy access to the best products at the lowest prices via our buying guides. Georgia has first-hand knowledge of all the equestrian brands and their ever-evolving product lines, having been working with them closely since she started in equestrian media in 2015.