Body-Clipping Horses

Winter horseback riding poses many challenges. One main concern is dealing with sweating during rides and long winter coats. The solution is usually to body clip your horse. Body -clipping horses is not as difficult a process as it might seem. To get the best results it is important to follow a few key steps.

Choosing the Right Clippers

Clippers used for body-clipping horses are different that the smaller clippers used for trimming whiskers, muzzles and ears. The Oster Clipmaster is an example of a variable speed clipper intended for shaving the entire body of the horse. Other brands make similar models that have a wide blade for making cleaner sweeps of the horse's sides. Variable speed motors allow the operator to choose a speed that will cut through anything from thick coarse hair to thinner more fine coats. Some models also have a shorter body. This makes them easier to maneuver through areas like the dip in front of the shoulder blades. Easier maneuvering means a smoother clip. Be sure to read the operation manual of any set of body clippers you are using. It will give you necessary information on keeping them properly oiled and maintained. The safety of you and your horse can depend on using the product in the correct manner.

Preparing Your Horse for Clipping

When we think about how to body clip a horse, it is easy to forget about the steps to take before picking up the clippers and clipping your horse. Many horses are upset by the sound and feel of clippers. Though some people resort to sedating drugs to make the horse manageable, it is rarely necessary. Start by acclimatizing your horse to the clippers by progressively petting and reassuring the horse as you softly rub the clippers against his sides. Be careful to watch for signs that the horse is upset. Do not proceed in a way that escalates his tension. Allow yourself enough time to come back to the concept over a period of days if necessary. Once the horse accepts the silent clippers, turn them on and simply allow the horse to listen to them. (It is advised to wear ear plugs when operating clippers) Feed your horse a small treat as he listens so he will associate the sound with positive things. When this is okay, simply set the running clippers against the flat of the horse's shoulder to allow him to feel the vibration. If this is met with a calm and confident attitude, you are ready almost ready to begin clipping.

Preparing the Coat for Clipping

Bathe your horse thoroughly before body-clipping him. Dirt and oils will dull the blades very quickly. Allow the coat to dry completely. Then spray a fine mist of a silicone based hair shine like Showsheen. Spray against the direction of the hair to get the particles of spray along the underside of the hair shafts. Do not spray on the area where your saddle will go. You won't be clipping this area anyway. Allow the spray to dry while you make your final preparations for yourself.

Preparing Yourself for Clipping

Body clipping a horse is time consuming. So, start in the morning while you are full of energy. It is highly recommended that you get a jumpsuit, similar to what a construction worker might wear. These are available cheaply at Lowe's or Home Depot. Once you are finished you can shed along with all the hair. While you're at the hardware store, get ear plugs. Wear them! Next, organize your materials within a close reach to where you will be working, but out of the way of the horse should it become spooked. Clipper oil, coolant spray, bottled water for your refreshment, a fine brush for sweeping away hair, a damp rag for wiping it off your face, and a broom should all be close at hand. Next, organize your extension cord. Cross the ends of the extension cord and the clipper cord before you plug them together. This keeps them from being pulled apart when you are moving around.

Beginning to Clip

You will clip against the growth of the hair. It's easiest to start along the shoulder on the left hand side. Work your way up the neck just to the back of the halter. Be careful not to shave into the growth of the mane. Once you have done the left side, move to the right and repeat. Check your clippers often to be sure they do not get too hot. When they do get too hot, turn them off and take a break.

Finishing the Clip

Once you have the shoulders and neck done on each side, you are ready to do the haunches and barrel. Leave a small triangle of hair above the tail pointed towards the saddle unclipped. This is to make sure you don't clip away new tail growth. Also, leave an area beneath the saddle unclipped. Take a saddle pad and lay it on the horse where your saddle would go. Use that as a marker to shave around and create smooth edges. Next, decide if you want to clip legs and head as well. If so, it's time to get out the smaller clippers. When blending the legs, I prefer to go with the grain of the hair with the clippers turned so that the flat edge of the clippers that usually runs along the body of the animal is now faced up towards me. You will have much greater control of the depth of the clip going from the same shortness you had in the body clip down to a more normal "summer" coat length on the lower legs. Nothing looks worse than a horse with pink lower legs from the white socks being trimmed away. To trim the head, I use a similar method particularly when blending into the back of the ear without having to shave off all the protective hair. Never leave a horse with naked ear tips in winter. It is only advised to clip the head if the horse will be wearing a hood when outdoors or if you live in a rather balmy warm climate.

Although your horse now looks great and ready to work without getting over heated, you probably feel like an itchy hair mess. Clean-up time is the worst part of body-clipping a horse, but when you saddle up to ride next time, you will be very happy you put in the effort of body-clipping. Horses that stay in regular training appreciate it too.