Horse Clipping - Expert AdviceWe strongly recommend that Horse Clipping should only be attempted if you know what you are doing. If you intend to show, compete or exercise your horse regularly all year round, you will need to clip them yourself or have them clipped professionally. Why? A horse with a full coat will find it harder to work, becoming overheated and sluggish more quickly. Even during summer months, some horses carry a thicker coat and this is not practical or fashionable for most summer showing classes. Owners often struggle to keep their horse's coat in perfect "show" condition coming out of winter and approaching the autumn and this necessitates horse clipping. Horses take time to become adjusted to the noise of the clippers and if a horse has never felt them on his skin before, it can prompt quite a negative reaction if they don't know what to expect. A really good tip is to buy quiet clippers (they can be a bit more pricey but will be less alarming to your horse). Visit our Equestrian Store to see what we recommend. Another practical way to help your horse become accustomed to clippers is to turn them on in his stable (out of harm's way and under supervision) but without actually placing them on the horse. Do this while the horse is relaxed and pretty soon he will become accustomed to the noise and will be less likely to react adversely once you bring them closer. What Do You Do With A Ticklish Horse?It is important to remember that, just like humans, some horses have sensitive skin and areas such as the belly, legs and under the chin can be extremely ticklish.Trying to clip these areas while the horse is fidgeting or trying to evade the clippers could potentially result in injury not to mention an untidy finish. If the animal is new to the whole horse clipping experience, ALWAYS have a handler present so you can work safely and are not distracted by trying to hold the horse at the same time as clipping. Experienced horses will often stand happily tied up munching on a haynet and barely notice the whole thing but this is only achieved by sympathetic clipping. Pinching the horse's skin frequently will not make him look forward to being clipped and will build resentment that is hard to overcome. Is There An Alternative To Clipping?If you are showing through the summer season, rugging your horse will encourage them to lose their winter coat faster but make sure you don't over-rug and over-heat the horse in doing so.Thorough and regular grooming will help the coat to shed if you are attending early summer classes, as will a weekly bath. Make sure that if you clip your horse you protect him from the elements during turnout or whilst stabled as you will need to compensate for the loss of his coat. It would be extremely unwise to clip your horse if you had no intention to rug him up or no financial means to purchase the necessary rugs.
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