With the busy clipping season just around the corner, we are often being asked about which clippers in our range would suit their horse or horses. One thing to take into consideration when purchasing a new set of clippers, is the type of clipping that you expect to carry out. Not all horses will need to be fully clipped, depending on their workload, age, body condition, climate and whether they are stabled or live out. Considering these factors, if your horse only needs a partial clip, a medium duty clipper could be suitable, rather than needing to invest in a heavy duty set.
In this blog, we give examples of the most popular types of winter horse clip in the UK and their function to help you decide on the most suitable clip for your horse.
Before Your Reach For The Clippers
Before you start to clip your horse, decide on what type of clip would be the most suitable. Clipping is not just for aesthetics. It’s always best to remove the least amount of coat for the first clip rather than remove too much or you run the risk of spending a lot of time and money trying to keep your horse warm with extra feed, rugs and stabling time.
Below is an example of some of the most popular clips with regards to workload, but there are other variations of these. Your horse may even require a customised clip to suit their individual needs.
The Masterclip Heavy Duty Horse Clipper Range: Ideal for full and partial clips on any types of coat.
Clips For Occasianal Or Light Work
- Below are examples of clips that are ideal for horses and ponies in light or occasional work that may live in or out.
- They are also suitable for horses that may feel the cold or struggle to hold body condition. Rugging may be necessary if the horse or pony is not particularly hardy and needs to maintain body condition or is a veteran.
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BIB CLIP Simple clip running down underside of the neck to between the front legs |
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NECK AND BELLY CLIP The same as the bib clip but extending between the forelegs to include the belly and under the jaw. |
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APRON CLIP The same as for the bib clip but includes clipping a little further to the girth area and the top of the forelegs. |
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NECK, BELLY & TOP OF THE FORELEGS As the neck and belly clip but includes the top of the forelegs, as in the Apron clip. Ideal for horses that sweat in this area even in the lightest of work and those that get very muddy. Clipping this area under the girth helps to facilitate grooming before being ridden. |
The Medium Duty Masterclip Cordless MD Roamer and Mains Powered Royale Horse Clippers: Suitable for partial clipping, clipping legs and hogging for owners of just one or two horses.
Clips For Light Work
- These clips are ideal for equines in regular, light work. These clips will require the horse to be rugged to compensate for the removal of the coat unless the weather is particularly mild.
- The clips for horses in light work aim to remove the hair from the areas that sweat the most but retain much of the coat to keep the horse warm.
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IRISH CLIP Forming a soft diagonal line from the horse’s jaw to the middle of the underbelly. Includes clipping the top of the forelegs and between the forelegs removing most of the hair from the belly. |
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LOW TRACE Like the apron clip but extends along the belly in a low line to include the top and around the back of the hind legs. A little curve is cut in where the hair swirls on the flanks. This is a popular clip, originally developed by carriage drivers to follow the lines of the traces from the carriage harness. |
Clips For Moderate Work
- This clip is suitable for horses in regular work that are stabled at night. Horses living out all year round would benefit from retaining much more of their coat. These clips will always require the horse to be rugged.
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MEDIUM TRACE As the low trace, but with the line of the clip being higher up towards the mid-section of the horse’s body. Occasionally the medium trace will include clipping the lower half of the horse’s head as well. |
Clips For Horses In Moderate To Fast Work
- Suitable for horses in regular, steady work and occasional fast work for winter competitions etc.
- Horses with this clip are generally stable kept with just a few hours of turnout in good weather per day.
- Rugging is essential for this clip and will require a variety of rugs as the horse will not be able to maintain his own body temperature. Extra rugs will be required if the weather conditions are very bad.
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HIGH TRACE CLIP As the medium trace clip, only the clip line is higher up the body, over the mid-section. |
The Cordless Showmate II horse trimmer:
The Ideal trimmer to complement a larger clipper for clipping around the face, ears, heels and sensitive areas.
Clips For Horses In Hard/Fast Work
- For horses that are in regular, hard work such as regular competitions, hunting, eventing etc.
- Horses with these clips require the same level of rugging as the moderate working horses.
- Horses in hard work may not generally be turned out during the day but would need to be kept from the elements if they do have a limited time of turnout. Rugs with neck covers are ideal.
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CHASER CLIP Originally used for steeplechase horses. Similar to the medium trace clip but more of the neck is clipped including the full head and ears. |
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BLANKET CLIP Like the chaser clip but with the neck completely clipped out. The head may be half clipped or fully clipped. |
Clips For Horses In Very Hard Work
- For horses in regular, fast competition work, racing or regularly hunting.
- These horses are usually stabled full time and may require an exercise sheet when taken for exercise. If turned out, they will need a neck cover with their rug, even in mild weather.
- Horses with these clips need to be carefully monitored for body condition to ensure they are not losing energy just keeping warm.
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HUNTER CLIP The coat on the body is removed leaving just a saddle shaped outline in the saddle area and an inverted V-shape above the tail. The mane may also be hogged. The legs are left unclipped to give a bit of protection when jumping. |
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FULL CLIP The whole body, head and full legs are clipped. This clip is favoured in the spring for horses in high end competition. |
Summary: Types of Horse Clips for Winter
When deciding on the most suitable clip for your horse, it's essential to consider their workload, living conditions, and ability to maintain body heat. Here are three key points about horse clipping:
Light Work Clips : For horses in occasional or light work, partial clips like the bib or low trace remove hair only from sweat-prone areas, retaining warmth while improving comfort during exercise. These often suit horses living out or those that feel the cold.
Moderate Work Clips : Clips such as the medium trace or chaser clip cater to horses in regular, steady work. These balance coat removal with the need for rugging and warmth, making them ideal for stabled horses with some turnout.
Hard Work Clips : Horses in intense work, like eventing or hunting, benefit from clips like the hunter or full clip. These remove most or all of the coat to prevent overheating but require careful rugging to maintain warmth and condition.
