There are many different types of horse clip here in the UK. You may consider a couple when clipping and wonder which one will best suit your horse. Although there are many variations and adaptations, this list is a good go-to guide for you to keep on hand.
Is your horse ready for his first clip of the winter? Is he starting to look a bit woolly? Has he started to sweat more than usual during his regular exercise sessions? If you’re saying yes to any of these questions, then it may be time to clip your horse.
If you own a set of clippers, be sure to get them serviced and sharpen the blades before using them after a period of not use. Don’t forget your clipper oil, too—just don’t use too much!
Table of contents
Before you start clipping your horse
Overalls are recommended, and a piece of chalk should be at the ready. Most importantly, ensure that you wear a hard hat that meets the current safety standard.
There are a variety of different horse clips that you may opt for, which will depend on the horse’s current workload. The main clip types for horses are discussed here in further detail. However, some may differ with newer styles emerging, which are becoming quite popular. Ultimately, it’s down to personal preference and what is most suitable for your horse. This depends on workload, age, and, most importantly, the horse’s reaction to clipping.
All the different clips
Bib Clip
If your horse is in light work i.e hacking once or twice a week, or he lives out then the bib clip is recommended. This type of clip is also recommended for first-time clipping or nervous horses. This type of clip removes the areas where the horse will sweat most when exercising. The underside of the neck, in between the front legs and under the stomach is clipped leaving the head, topside of the neck, body and legs for protection against the cold. It is personal preference whether the clip is taken across the lower shoulder.
Irish Clip
The Irish clip is a good clip for horses in work a few times a week that get sweaty under the girth, armpits and chest after 30 minutes being schooled. The Irish Clip starts at the horse’s ears and runs down the curve of the neck, over the shoulder and straight to the horse’s underbelly. You can choose to leave the horse’s face unclipped or take off up to the cheekbone and underneath of the jaw. The long line will remove hair under the neck, shoulders and barrel. Hair remains over the entire of the back, quarters and legs.
Chaser Clip
The chaser clip is included in the different types of horse clip, however, it is probably the most similar to the trace clip (see below) and is suitable for horses in light work. This could include hacking and schooling for up to three or four times a week, it could also be suitable for horses that don’t tend to sweat too much and again for those that are nervous around clippers. This clip removes the coat in a straight line from behind the horse’s ears to the stifle. This leaves most of the underside of the neck and belly clipped. With adequate rugs, horses may be turned out as normal.
Trace Clip
The trace clip can be adjusted to personal preference, depending on how much hair you wish to leave on. The clip can be low, leaving more of the horse’s coat on or alternatively, the line can be made to a slightly higher level, leaving less of the coat.
The clip removes the coat from the underside of the neck and the entire underside of the belly. Dependent on the height you decide, a low trace would start in a similar place to the bib and the high trace clip would start at the same place as the chaser.
The clip then runs in a straight line down the horse’s neck to the shoulder and then runs in a straight line along the horse’s body towards his tail. Upon reaching the stifle, a small arc is clipped where the hair grows different ways and then the straight line is carried on across the hind leg. When stood behind the horse the trace clip should run in a vertical line up towards the top of the tail- this should only be about an inch away from the tail. Again this clip can be used on horses that are turned out as long as they have adequate rugs to keep them warm and is suitable for horses in light to medium work.
Blanket Clip
The blanket clip is commonly used for horses and ponies in medium work including regular, low-level competing. The clip involves removing the horse’s coat from the neck and the underside of the belly. The clip line runs from the withers (just in front of the saddle) in a straight line down to the shoulder. At the midpoint of the shoulder, the clip then runs in a straight line toward the horse’s tail. At the stifle, a small arc is clipped as with the trace clip and carries on towards the tail. Similarly to the trace clip, when standing behind, the blanket clip should have a vertical line going up either side of the tail. This clip is best given to horses that are stabled at night as they have less protection on their neck.
Hunter Clip
The hunter clip is fairly straight forward and was originally designed for hunt horses. This clip is suitable for horses in hard and competitive work. This removes all hair apart from the saddle pad area and legs. Also a small triangle is left at the top of the tail. This allows protection for the legs whilst out hunting. This clip should only be given to stabled horses or horses that are stabled at night and during adverse weather conditions.
Full Clip
The full clip is the most different type of horse clip as it removes all of the horse’s hair, as opposed to only segments. It is recommended for horses and ponies in hard and competitive work. All of the horse’s coat is removed apart from the small triangle at the top of the tail. This includes the legs being clipped and is popular in heavier breeds with a heavier workload.
You may also want to consider …
The Horse’s Head
Clipping the horse’s head can be difficult. With all of the clips except for the bib, it is personal preference about clipping the horse’s head. For the chaser, trace and blanket, it is popular to clip a half head, which involves the line running from behind the horse’s ear in a straight line down to his mouth and removing all of the coat on the underside. For the hunter and full clip it is more common to see the whole head clipped including the ears, leaving no coat on at all.
Chalk
So you are probably wondering about the piece of chalk? It is a fab way to draw the clip lines on the horse before you start clipping. Top tip: draw the chalk lines slightly lower than you want the clip to allow for any mistakes. We all make them! It’s now time for you to put your skills into practice and clip your beloved fluffy friend, thus making those winter nights slightly easier and more comfortable for the pair of you!
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.