Clipping a Horse

Once you have decided on the type of clip:

• Before you start talk to your horse and run the clippers so that the horse gets used to the noise.
• Start clipping at the horse's shoulder as this is a less sensitive area. Place the clippers on top of your hand so the horse feels the vibrations through your hand.
• Place your free hand flat on the horse while you work to help calm the horse.
•  Overlap each stroke to avoid any "tram lines". While clipping the body, the clippers must run flat over the coat, don’t use too much pressure otherwise you will create lines known as ‘tram-lines’.  On the other hand, when clipping the legs and face you will need to clip against the hair as it is shorter than the rest of the hair on the horse’s body. 
• Always clip against the direction that the hair grows in and if possible use long, continuous strokes with the blades flat against the skin. Work up the neck towards the head.
• Clip an inverted "V" at the top of the front legs, the "V" should follow the line of the muscles at the top of the leg.
• To neaten straight lines clip into it at a 90 degree angle with short strokes. Alternatively, turn the clippers "side-on" so that the blades neatly cut along the jagged edge.
• Ask a friend to help you clip the awkward places such as behind the elbow.  Pull the skin taught to avoid nicking the skin.
• Clip a line at the top of the hind legs to follow the muscles towards the stifle.
• Use a tail bandage and plait the mane to ensure that the tail hairs don't get caught up.
• Don't leave the head until last. Start clipping the head by working from the chin groove up to the throat. Us a bridle on the horse to line up the edge of the clip with the bridle cheek piece.
• Don't clip the mane or go too close to the mane line.
• Stop clipping if the blades are hot, it will upset the horse, pull the hair and may mean that the blades are too tight.
• If your horse comes out in bumps after clipping he/she may be allergic to the clipper oil.
• Take your time - a rushed job will show.
• Use a smaller set of clippers for the head and hard to reach areas. Take care though as two different types of clippers on the same horse may result in an uneven finish.
• Protect the horse's eyes.
• Stand back and look at what you have done to make sure you are clipping straight.
• Clip the front and back legs to the same level.

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