Clipping your horse: when to do it and how to go about it

Why clipping helps your horse perform better

Horses that are trained regularly generate a lot of body heat. A thick winter coat traps that heat, causing the horse to overheat quickly and sweat excessively. This costs energy, extends the cool-down time after riding — sometimes more than an hour — and increases the risk of muscle problems or respiratory infections caused by chilling. By removing all or part of the coat, you regulate body temperature more effectively, the horse dries off faster, and it stays fit with less effort. Horses that are lightly or not trained at all can keep their coat as extra protection.

The right moment: timing determines the outcome

The classic clipping season runs from September through February. Most horse owners clip for the first time in October, when the winter coat is well established but not yet fully grown. After the first clip, the coat grows back in an average of 6 to 8 weeks. Bear this in mind: a second clip in December or January is perfectly normal for horses in active work. Stop clipping by the end of February at the latest, so the summer coat can grow through undisturbed. Clipping too late disrupts the natural coat change. Use the calendar in EquiSight to plan your clipping sessions and set reminders.

Five commonly used clipping methods explained

Not every method suits every horse or every situation. These are the most common options:

• Full clip: the entire body is clipped, suitable for horses in intensive work that sweat a great deal; always requires a rug.
• Blanket clip: belly, neck and head clipped, back and hindquarters left; a popular middle-ground option for horses in training 4–6 days a week.
• Strip clip: only a strip along the belly line and neck; for lightly trained horses or as a first-time clip.
• Irish clip (trace clip): lower neck, shoulders and belly clipped; offers more protection than a strip clip but less than a blanket clip.
• Chaser clip: similar to the trace clip but higher on the body; suitable for cross-country and field riding.

Equipment and preparation: what you need

Good equipment makes the job much easier and more pleasant for your horse.

• Professional clipping machine with at least 200W of power for an even result.
• Sharp, well-oiled blades — blunt blades pull at the coat and irritate the skin.
• Clipping soap or talcum powder to clean and loosen the coat before clipping.
• Rubber glove when using an electric device.
• Rug ready to go: immediately after clipping, depending on the method used, your horse will need a lightweight or heavy fly rug or winter rug.

Step by step: how to clip your horse

Start with a thoroughly groomed, dry horse. Mark the lines of your chosen clipping method with chalk or masking tape so that both sides are symmetrical. Always clip against the direction of hair growth for an even result. Work in straight passes and overlap slightly to avoid lines. Check regularly that the blades are not getting too hot — a temperature above 50°C is uncomfortable for your horse and damages the skin. Cool the blades with cooling spray or a clean cloth. After clipping, applying a nourishing skin oil or lotion is optional but beneficial, especially if the skin is dry.

Rugs, feed and care after clipping

A clipped horse is less able to regulate its own body temperature and therefore always needs rugs, both in the stable and outdoors. As a rule of thumb: the more coat you have removed, the heavier the rug needed in cold weather. At temperatures below 5°C, a fully clipped horse needs a combination of a stable rug and an outdoor rug. Feed also plays a role: the body burns more calories to stay warm. Increase the forage ration if necessary — forage generates warmth from the inside. Store health and weight data in your horse's profile in EquiSight so you have quick insight into how your horse is getting through the winter.