To Clip Or Not To Clip

With winter around the corner, you might be thinking about whether you’ll be clipping your horse or pony this month. The first question to bear in mind is what kind of work they will be doing. Clipping can be beneficial for horses that will be worked throughout winter because it stops them from overheating. The combination of sweat and cold air makes it difficult for horses to regulate their temperature, so clipping their thick winter coat will allow them to dry off easier after a workout.

If you’re planning to do a lot of hard exercise, such as schooling and competitions, clipping will help to make your horse feel more comfortable, as well making the job of the groom easier post-exercise. A thick coat that takes longer to dry off can make your horse’s core temperature drop too low, which is not very healthy for them. So, depending on their workload, clipping can be a good decision. For a heavy-duty option, Liveryman provides a range of high-quality steel clippers in a choice of cutting widths. Check out our clippin section for inspiration!

You may also need to think about what kind of condition your horse is in. Clipping can help overweight horses to drop a few pounds over the cooler months because removing the insulation allows them to increase their energy use. But, if your horse is a poor doer or a veteran, they will rely on their coats to keep them warm during the months ahead, so a rigorous clip might be best avoided.

The winter can bring in all sorts of weather, so even if your horse is stabled, it is really important to have the right rug for their clip and the conditions. It is a good idea to check you have appropriate weight rugs to hand. A partially-clipped horse may need a 200g middleweight rug which will vary from a fully-clipped horse perhaps needing a 400g heavyweight rug, so do ask for advice before making any purchase. We are only too happy to help!

Perhaps our best tip is to take good care of your clippers. They are often a big investment, so it’s wise to clean the blades every 10 minutes during clipping, as well as after each use, to remove any hair. If you are clipping continuously for a lengthy period of time, do check the blades are not getting too hot or too blunt. Some clippers come with a brush for easy cleaning, but you can use an old toothbrush if you don’t have one of these. Most clipper manufacturers do their own brand of blade wash that will help to keep them in top condition.

After your clipper blades have been washed, you may wish to oil them before storing them away. Not only do clipper oils lubricate the blades, but they also act as a disinfectant. Just a few drops on the teeth of the blades will do the trick! The Lincoln Clipper Oil is great for blasting away any dirt and debris, whilst the Liveryman Clipper Oil is has been specially formulated to be used on all types of clipper blade.

Last but not least, we often advise our customers to regularly sharpen their blades, offering an in-house blade sharpening service to support them. Clipping a dirty coat will blunt the blades more quickly, as well as putting strain on the motor of the clippers, so why not give your horse a good groom before you start clipping? What’s more, we have a lovely selection of rugs to keep clipped areas warm after your horse has had its haircut!

Happy clipping everyone! We’d love to see your pictures of the finished results, so do please send them to us.