About Clipping

Horse clipping offers both aesthetic and health benefits for your horse.

Does your horse look like a fuzzy teddy bear?

Do you want to help him look sleek and shiny for show season?

Does your horse sweat like crazy during and after exercise?

Are you spending hours and hours at the barn after you ride waiting for your horse to dry?

Are you concerned that your horse is having a hard time cooling down?

All of these are excellent reasons to consider having your horse clipped.

Why Is Clipping Important?
As horses grow thick, heavy coats in the winter, it becomes difficult to work horses in a program without your horse getting overheated and soaked in sweat. Clipping in the fall and winter allows a horse to work in comfort.

Determining the Right Clip
Just as there are many types of horses doing all sorts of activities, there are many types of clips available. I will work with you to customize the right clip for your horse, taking into account the time of year, how much work your horse will be doing, where/how much the horse sweats, upcoming shows or clinics, if your horse lives in a stall or outside, etc.

Working With a Professional
Clipping takes proper equipment, along with time and practice to learn the skill. I have been doing this since 2005 and have clipped hundreds of horses!

If I come to clip your horse, you’ll avoid the expenses of purchasing and re-sharpening blades and of clipper repair. I always carry more than one set, so if there is an equipment failure, I have a backup. Another benefit? You don’t have to get covered in itchy horse hair!

TIPS FOR PREPARING YOUR HORSE FOR A CLIP

To start, I need a safe, warm, well lit area out of the wind that has access to power. I do bring an extension cord with me.

The cleaner your horse, the better!

If you are able to bath your horse, this is best at least one day before to ensure they are completely dry.

If you can't bathe your horse, it's no problem as long as you do a really good job currying the dust and dirt out of their hair days or weeks before your appointment!

Dust and dirt dulls the blades and you won't get as sharp and tidy of a clip. Make sure you pay close attention to the horse's croup as this tends to collect dirt and be quite dusty.

Try not to ride your horse before a clip. Even if they don't get overly sweaty, they tend to be damp closer to their skin which makes it difficult to get a nice clip.

If it's your horse's first time being clipped, it's important that your horse is comfortable being handled in all areas that will be clipped, and is sensible with things that are unfamiliar. I have a calm confidence in my approach to newbies, but this groundwork leading up to their first clip will ensure it is a positive experience! If you have access to small clippers, try running them close to the horse, even putting the butt end on their skin to introduce them to the vibration and offer positive reinforcement.

I don't bring twitches or sedation so if you think your horse might need either, please have these available if needed.

Clips can take from 45 minutes to 2 hours or more depending on the style and how the horse stands.

After your clip, giving your horse a good brush and even offering a roll might help get all their itches out!