With the onset of colder weather across much of the country comes the task of preparing our horses for winter. Often, part of that preparation is the decision of whether or not to clip their coats. There are many factors to be weighed as part of this decision: Do you work your horse in cold weather? Does your horse sweat when you work him in cold weather? Are you willing to blanket your horse? Does your horse live outside all winter?

Clipping is a choice that should be made based on your specific situation. Generally, if you do not work your horse during the winter there is little need to clip; but if your horse sweats in cold then clipping is a good option to prevent chill and decrease drying time. Clipping can be important if it is hard to dry your horse after a workout because sweat makes his coat heavy and prevents it from keeping him warm. When dry, your horse’s coat is his natural defense against the elements, therefore if you decide to clip you should be prepared to use blankets. This article will cover how to prepare for clipping, clipping style options and aftercare.

Clipping Supplies

To clip a large area you will need body clippers and the appropriate blades; clippers meant for trimming smaller areas, like the face and legs, will not be sufficient for body clipping because their motors are not meant to withstand the demand of body clipping. There are many blade types available, but body clipping is generally done with a #10 blade. Size 10 blades are available in regular and wide widths, the wide width speeds up the clipping process and helps reduce visible lines in the hair. The charts below further explain common blade types and the supplies you should have on hand before you begin clipping.

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