Clipping your horse for the first time can feel like a big task, but with the right preparation and a calm approach, you’ll soon get into the swing of it. Below, we’ve put together a beginner-friendly guide to walk you through the process step by step.
If it's your horse's first time getting a clip, take a look at our blog on desensitisation to help your horse feel more accustomed to the feel and sound of clipping.
Get To Know Your Clipper
Before you start, spend some time familiarising yourself with your clippers. This will help you feel more confident on the day and ensure everything runs smoothly. Masterclip heavy-duty clippers are perfect for first-time users and professional grooms, as they’re user-friendly and easy to set up and tension:
- Blades: Practise taking the blades on and off so you’re familiar with the process. (You'll be surprised how many people get the blades back to front!) Also check that you have at least two sharp blades before you begin to clip so that you can finish the clip should the first go dull part way through.
- Oiling: Clipper blades need oiling every 5–10 minutes during use to keep them running smoothly and reduce friction. Check where to apply the clipper oil to the blades and how to oil the clipper head as well. If you plan on clipping a thick coat or are body clipping, Andis cool care spray will keep the clipper blades extra cool during tough clipping jobs.
- Tensioning: Learn how to set the blade tension correctly. Set the tension as per your clippers instructions, but bear in mind these are guidelines. When it comes to starting the clip, test the clipper on the coat. if they are cutting well, you can release the tension further. As a rule of thumb, always run the clipper with the least amount of tension possible to avoid excessive heat generation and wear to your blades and clipper motor. Watch our video guide here.
- Safety check: If you’re using mains-powered clippers, always use an RCD (residual current device) to keep you and your horse safe.
- Battery Check: For cordless clippers charge each battery for the full amount of time required to ensure you have plenty of charge to compete the clip.
Preparing Your Horse’s Coat
A clean coat is essential not only to acheieve the best finish but also to give the most comfortable experience for your horse and to protect your clipper and blades:
- You should always bath your horse the day before clipping. This removes dirt, grease, and sweat that can clog blades and dull them rapidly.
- Make sure the coat is completely dry before you begin and reserve any coat shine sprays or oils until after your have clipped.
- If bathing just isn’t an option, give your horse a thorough groom and hot cloth each day for a week before you intend to clip to lift away dust and grease from the coat, giving your blades the best chance for a decent finish.
Setting Up: Ready To Clip
To keep your horse content, clipping should always be done in a calm, safe environment:
- Tie your horse securely or have someone hold them. Clipping can be done indoors or outdoors on a dry, non windy day - wherever your horse is the most happy and relaxed.
- Reduce distractions and avoid areas with loud noises.
- Have a helper on hand to steady your horse and keep an eye on them - they can also watch out for your safety too!
- Keep your horse occupied with a haynet or lick if these help them stay relaxed.
- For your own safety, wear a riding hat and steel toe boots. It may sound over the top but you’ll be glad of the extra protection should your horse take fright.
- Consider your clothing! Clipping is a messy task and you'll find clipped hair gets everywhere! Avoid wearing fleecy clothes in particular as the hair sticks like velcro. Overalls or a waterproof jacket and trousers are great options and help the let the hair just slide off.
Introducing The Clippers
- Take it slowly and let your horse investigate the handset by letting them sniff or feel the clippers while they’re switched off.
- Start by turning the clippers on at a distance so they get used to the sound.
- Begin clipping in a less sensitive area, such as the shoulder, where they’re less likely to react.
- Keep your helper close by for reassurance and to steady your horse if needed.
Clipping Technique: How to Clip
Once you’re ready to begin, here are a few key points to remember:
- Have a clear plan of which type of clip you’re aiming for before you start, to help keep you on track. You can mark up your clip using chalk on the coat (or even lipstick works well on lighter coats) to give you a guide.
- Keep one hand on your horse so you can feel if they move suddenly. Aim to keep your body in the safe zones to avoid receiving a kick of they get startled.
- Hold the clippers flat against the coat and work against the lay of the hair - but not directly! It's best to clip at a slight angle against the grain to avoid obvious clip lines.
- Use long, steady strokes for a smooth, even finish, overlapping each stroke to remove the edges.
- Take regular breaks – both you and your horse will appreciate the pause and this gives you a chance to brush away clipped hair from your blades and oil them, along with the clipper head.
- Step back often to check your lines and make sure your clip is even.
- Push the mane over to the opposite side or plait it to keep it out of the way when clipping the neck.
- Leave a smart, inverted V shape above the tail to avoid clipping any of the tail hairs for a hunter or full clip.
How to Clip Tricky Areas
Some parts of the body can be more difficult to clip, so take extra care. If you find larger clippers awkward around the head, face, or fiddly spots, swap to a smaller clipper or trimmer.
- Legs: Work slowly and carefully paying attention to the angles and contours. Be mindful of where you put your body too as this is the higher risk zone for a kick. A smaller, medium duty clipper is best to use when horses are extra sensitive in this area. See more on our blog here.
- Belly and armpits: Use your free hand to gently stretch the skin taut to avoid catching the skin.
- Sensitive areas and the hind: Be especially cautious. Always stay safe and never rush when working behind your horse. Take care clipping between and inside the hind legs.
- Face: Take care not to catch the sensory whiskers when clipping the face and not to get too close to the eyes. Clipping half a head is smart option and leaves coverage for the face against the weather and removes the need to clip around the eyes etc.
- Ears: Don't clip the inside of your horse's ear and this hair keeps debris and water out. Instead, just trim the outer parts of fluffy ears to keep them neat, and trim excess inner ear hair level with the outside.
Aftercare of the Clip: The Finishing Touches
When the clipping is done, it’s time for a bit of after clip coat care:
- Hot cloth your horse with a mild disinfectant and microfibre cloth to remove any loose hairs and traces of clipper oil. This also helps soothe the skin after clipping.
- Hot clothing with your coat oil of choice leaves the coat with a lovely shine too!
- Rug up straight away to keep your horse warm, especially if they’ve had a lot of coat removed.
- Once your clipping is complete, take the time to remove the blades from the clipper and give everything a good clean. Store your clean blades wrapped in lightly oiled greaseproof paper in an airtight plastic container to prevent rusting. For more tips on how to clean your clippers see our guide here.
The Basics of a Successful Horse Clip
Clipping your horse for the first time is all about preparation, patience, and safety:
Get to know your clippers before you start.
Make sure your horse’s coat is clean and dry.
Choose a quiet, safe environment and have a helper.
Take your time with steady strokes, step back often, and use smaller clippers for tricky areas.
Finish with a hot cloth and rug your horse to keep them comfortable.
Your first clip might not be picture-perfect, but that’s completely normal! With each attempt, you’ll get more confident and skilled. And remember – your horse won’t mind a wobbly line here and there and it will soon grow back!
If you’d like advice on choosing clippers, blades, or which clip style is best for your horse, feel free to contact us – we’re always happy to help.
I'm a complete novice to clipping, which clipper is best for me?
From our range, the Heavy Duty Hunter or the cordless HD Roamer are both ideal for novices. They’re simple to set up, change the blades and find the ideal tension, and come ready to use straight out of the carry case. Both models can tackle all coat types – from thick-coated cobs to fine thoroughbreds, and are compatible with a wide choice of clipper blades. For more personalised recommendations, please get in touch with us we'd be more than happy to help you find the most suitable options for you and your horse's needs.
