During the colder winter months horses grow thick coats to help to protect them from the cold. As Spring approaches they start to lose this coat, which can then become patchy and unattractive. Many people decide to clip their horse at this time, firstly to help remove dead hair and secondly to keep them cool so that they feel comfortable.
First you will need to buy some horse clippers from somewhere that sells horse supplies. Medium duty clippers are usually recommended for people who own 4 or less horses, while heavy duty clippers will be required if you own more than 4 horses. There are hundreds of varieties on the market and so you will need to do some research first, thinking about whether you’d like a set that are re-chargable and how much noise your horse can tolerate.
Horse grooming should be carried out when your horse is feeling relaxed and calm. Start by using chalk to mark out the area that you would like to clip, this way you can make any necessary alterations before you start to clip. Then you need to ensure that the mane and tail won’t be in danger of accidental clipping! Plaiting works well, though you may also want to bandage the tail at the point where it meets the horse’s body. Make long strokes to get an even look and be careful to use the clippers in a variety of directions over areas where the coat is in a whorl pattern.
A pet grooming guide will give you information on some of the types of clips that can be carried out and which horses they are suitable for and many other areas of horse care.
For the best results you must ensure that your clippers are kept in optimum condition. This means regular oiling during use so that they don’t seize up, thorough cleaning after every use and regular changes to the blades so that they don’t become dull and begin to provide an uneven clip.
