When it comes to keeping your horses comfortable when clipping and getting professional results, investing in the right pair of clippers makes all the difference. A reliable set of clippers can save you time, effort, and frustration, while also ensuring your horse gets the professional finish they deserve. But with so many options on the market, how do you know which clippers are right for you and your horse?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key things to consider when purchasing new horse clippers. From choosing the right type of clipper for the job, to deciding between cordless and mains-powered options, as well as what you should look for in terms of brand support, maintenance, and spare parts.
Choosing the Right Type of Clipper for the Job
Different horses, their coat types, workload, age and lifestyle may require different clippers. For most horses, a heavy duty clipper is the ideal solution for partial and full clipping, with plenty of power to cut through thick or coarse coats. For finer work, such as trimming legs, faces, or sensitive areas, medium duty clippers or trimmers are more suitable. A combination of a clipper and a trimmer is often the perfect solution to offer full body clipping and detailed trimming for a flawless finish.
Think about how often you’ll be clipping, the thickness of your horse’s coat, and whether you’ll be doing full or partial clips. This will help you determine whether a lighter, quieter clipper will be enough, or whether you’ll need a more robust model that can handle longer clipping sessions and tackling dense coats.
"This product is a game changer from the beginning by the stylish silver case the HD Roamer is stored in, purchased as a combo with the showmate trimmers. Brilliant clipping experience. I like the curved shape of the base blade outer edges which literally stops nicking in the curvy areas of your horse. The trimmers were incredibly effective for the face, ears, feet and blending..... The best clippers I've used and 100% better than a renowned competitor especially, and quite importantly, customer service! 10/10 and more!"
Trimmers vs. Clippers – What’s the Difference?
It’s easy to get confused between trimmers and clippers, but they serve different purposes:
- Heavy Duty Clippers are designed for making short work of clipping larger areas of the horse's body and breezing through even the thickest of coats. These machines are ideal for most horses regardless of coat type for body clips, hogging manes and tackling thick winter coats and removing the heaviest of feathers. They’re usually more powerful and capable of long periods of use.
- Medium Duty Clippers are usually A5 handsets designed to take a wide range of smaller A5 clipper blades for clipping horses and dogs. They are great for horses with light density coats, such as TB's and Arabs, that only require partial body clipping a few times a year. They are also a great accompaniment to a heavy duty clipper for keeping on top of clipped feathers for cobs and trimming courser hair. Their smaller size and weight makes them more suited to owners who may struggle to handle a larger, heavier clipper and their reduced sound and vibration suit clipping very nervous horses too.
- Trimmers are much smaller, lighter and quieter than clippers making them ideal for more delicate tasks such as tidying up jawlines, cat hairs, fetlocks, bending, trimming around the ears and face, or perfecting straight lines for finishing up a clip. However these small handsets are not designed for body clipping and usually are compatible with just one type of close cutting clipper blade.
Essentially, trimmers are for trimming and clippers are for clipping. For most horse owners, having a larger clipper and a trimmer in their grooming kit is the best solution – clippers to carry out the bulk of the work, and trimmers to provide the finishing touches.
Mains Powered or Cordless?
Another important decision is whether to go for mains-powered or cordless clippers.
- Mains powered clippers are great for those who want uninterrupted power. They’re ideal for larger yards and professional use for clipping several horses in one session. There are also lighter in weight than fully cordless models.
- Cordless clippers offer flexibility and freedom of movement. With no trailing cables for you or your horse to worry about, they're perfect if you’re working in a stable or yard without easy access to power. Modern battery technology means many cordless clippers now rival mains options in terms of power and run time.
Think about your set-up, where you’ll be clipping, and how often you’ll need them before making your choice. You can find more pro's and cons for each type of clipper in our blog here.
What to Look for from the Clipper Brand
When investing in horse clippers, it’s worth looking beyond just the machine itself. A good brand should offer:
- A 2 Year Warranty: Peace of mind that your clippers are protected from manufacturing faults.
- Customer support: Accessible, knowledgeable staff who can help with any queries. This can be tricky when purchasing clippers through third party vendors.
- Spare parts and servicing: All clippers need some level of maintenance, and being able to easily source replacement blades, batteries, and spare parts will save you money and hassle in the long run.
- CE or UKCA Safety Marking. When it comes to electrical equipment, safety is of the upmost importance. While there isn’t a specific certification for horse clippers in the UK, clippers should carry the CE mark or UKCA mark to show compliance with essential safety, health, and environmental standards.
- Customer reviews: Feedback from other horse owners is invaluable. Reviews can give you insight into real-world performance, reliability, ease of use, and experience with interactions with the company's customer support, helping you make a confident decision.
Choosing a trusted brand with a reputation for quality ensures you’re not left stranded if something goes wrong – and gives you confidence that your equipment is safe and compliant.
Maintenance and Spare Parts Availability
Even the best clippers need care. Regular cleaning, oiling, and blade sharpening will keep your clippers performing at their best. Before buying, check how easy the model is to use and maintain. This is especially important if you're buying clippers from a third party vendor or the clipper manufacturer is outside of the UK. Ask if extra clipper blades and spare parts are readily available? Are they compatible with other brands?
Brands that stock all parts for their models, and offer clipper servicing and repairs will ensure your clippers last for years to come.
You can find extra blades and spare parts for all Masterclip clipper models easily on our website and we even keep stock for parts for our older clipper models too so you can be sure your clipper will have a long usable lifepan.
Why Buy New Clippers From Masterclip?
At Masterclip, we pride ourselves on providing professional-quality clippers at affordable prices. Here’s why horse owners and top riders alike choose us:
Used and trusted by professionals.
UK-based company.
Leicestershire customer service centre with full stock of parts for all our models.
Excellent warranty and aftercare service.
Specialist advice and support from our expert team.
Tried, tested, and loved by top names, in the equestrian field including Emma Hyslop Webb, Fox Pitt Eventing Team, Fiona Davidson Eventing, award winning groom Caroline Sherwin of CBS Equine Services and top equine vet Gregor Hepburn to name just a few.
When you buy from Masterclip, you’re not just purchasing a set of clippers – you’re investing in reliability, expertise, and long-term support. Contact our friendly and knowledgeable team today for our free advice to find your perfect match for you and your horse's needs.
How long can I expect my clippers to last?
Without routine care and regular servicing, you clipper can last for years! We still see clippers up to 10 years old clippers entering our workshop for servicing, in very good condition.
How easy is it to contact Masterclip if I experience a problem with my clippers?
Rest assured we have a dedicated customer service team available to speak to in person at our Leicestershire based HQ or message us on Whatsapp on 0116 2796900 - available 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday (excluding holidays). Alternatively you can email us at info@masterclip.co.uk or drop us a message on our social media pages.
