Clipping is a subject that all horse owners and riders will be considering in early winter. Clipping, obviously, involves removing some of the hair on the horses coat. Before reading this page, please do the quiz below to test your clipping knowledge, and don’t peep!
Clipping: Which clip for which horse?
Some people find clipped horses very pretty, however clipping is not a purely cosmetic procedure, in fact, it is to stop the horse sweating excessively in a heavy winter coat.
Clip Types…
Please note that the purple area in the illustration denotes unclipped hair. Many thanks to Master Clip for the use of the images.
Neck-and Underbelly
This clip is suitable for horses that live out, and are in light work.The chest and underbelly are clipped, but the neck and back and flanks are left unclipped for warmth. This clip is similar to the bib clip, however, the latter removes hair from the chest only. It i also similar to an apron clip, which is much the same as a bib clip, only shaped a bit like an apron!
Low Trace Clip
This is for horses in light work, who are turned out. The underbelly, chest and base of neck are clipped. This horse will require (at least) a light turnout rug.
High Trace Clip
This is for horses in light to medium work. This is similar to the low trace clip, however it goes higher up the body of the horse, and requires thicker rugs!
Chaser
A chaser clip is very similar to a high trace clip, and is popular in steeplechasers!
Blanket
This is ideal for horses in regular work, as the neck, shoulders, chest and belly are clipped, leaving only the leg and a blanket-shaped patch of hair on the back.
Hunter
The hunter clip leaves only a saddle shaped patch on the back, and the legs. This clip is suitable for horses in hard work, such as those hunted regularly. Using an exercise rug when it is cold is advised. Horses with hunter clips need to be stabled with a stable rug, and if the are turned out, they need to have a very heavy full turnout rug with neck.
Full
As the clip name says, the only untouched part of the body is the tail! This clip needs careful management, the horse must be rugged up all the time, and must have an exercise rug on rides on cold days. This clip is only for high level competition horses in very hard work.
I hope this article has helped, please check out more articles!
For more info, go to master clip, where you can learn how to clip, when to clip, which clippers to buy and much more!
