To clip a horse: yes or no?
Clipping a horse is an important and relevant topic for anyone who works with horses or has them as pets.
This practice has several benefits. We will highlight the most important points regarding the importance of clipping our horses, when we should do it, when it is not advisable, and its benefits (or drawbacks) for the animal and its owner.
Why should we clip our horse?
A horse's long, thick hair can accumulate sweat, dirt, and bacteria, which can lead to irritations, skin infections, and diseases in the horse. This is especially important to consider when planning to work with the animal, as sweat will accumulate in the coat and increase the risk of health problems for the animal. Therefore, clipping becomes an essential practice to prevent these problems and maintain the animal's health and well-being.
Furthermore, long hair can make proper cleaning and care of the horse difficult, increasing the risk of health problems.
On the other hand, there are circumstances in which it is not recommended to clip a horse. In cold climates, it can leave the horse exposed to low temperatures, and therefore, it is important to provide it with a suitable blanket to protect it from the cold; if one is not available, it is better not to clip it. It is also important to consider the horse's age; young or sick horses may need their hair to maintain their body temperature.
How does a horse's coat work?
To understand when is the best time to clip a horse, we need to talk about how a horse's coat works:It is true that climate and temperatures can affect the growth and texture of a horse's hair.
For example, in cold climates, horses tend to develop a thicker, denser coat of hair to protect themselves from the cold and maintain their body temperature. In contrast, in warm climates, horses may develop a finer, shorter coat of hair to help regulate their body temperature and prevent overheating.
However, it is not entirely true that if a horse is cold, its hair will grow more. Hair growth in horses is primarily controlled by hormonal factors, such as light and temperature, as well as the horse's genetics. This means that although temperature can influence the texture and density of the hair, it does not have a direct effect on the hair's growth speed.
In summary, the texture and density of a horse's hair can be affected by climate and temperatures, but not by the speed of hair growth. It is important to remember that proper care of a horse's hair, such as clipping and regular brushing, is essential for maintaining its health and well-being, regardless of the climate or temperature.
When should we clip?
The ideal time to clip a horse can vary depending on the geographical location and climate of the region, as well as the planned activities for the animal.
In some regions, it is recommended to do so in late autumn before the thick coat grows too much.
It is very important to protect the equine immediately afterward with an appropriate blanket to prevent it from getting cold. Adequate protection will reduce the amount of hair our horses need to protect them from the cold winter weather, and allows the horse to stay fit during winter without overheating during exercise.
Steps for how to clip our horse
Prepare the necessary equipment: It is important to have all the necessary equipment, such as scissors, clippers, a comb, and a blanket to protect the horse after clipping.
Prepare the horse: Before you begin, make sure the horse is clean, dry, and comfortable. If the horse is new to this process, make sure to accustom it to the sound of the clippers or shaver and to contact with the equipment.
Begin clipping: We should start with the lower jaw, that is, the horse's lower mandible. The cut should be slow and always against the grain. Next, we continue with the mane area, which we should have brushed beforehand. We can cut the mane more or less, leaving a distance of one centimeter from the root.
Then we continue with the horse's flank, which, although it seems like the easiest part to clip, is not. Swirls are created in the hair in this area, so when cutting, we must try to make semicircles to go against the grain.
When we reach the horse's tail, we will make a triangle by drawing a line from the side of the tail to the equine's spine. This triangle, about 10-20 centimeters, is usually left unclippped.
Finally, we will need some helping hand to help us finish clipping the legs. The area of the elbow is very delicate, so someone must hold the horse's leg firmly and try to keep it well stretched. Otherwise, we could damage the equine's leg with the clippers.
With patience and care, we will have our horse fully clipped. The help of someone, although not essential, will always be useful.
Brush off remaining hair: After clipping, we will brush the entire body of the horse to prevent cut hair from causing skin irritation.
Protect the horse: Once the clipping is complete, make sure the horse is protected from cold and sun exposure with a suitable blanket.
Clipping a horse can be a complicated process, so it is advisable to seek the help of a professional if you are unsure how to do it. Furthermore, it is important to consider the horse's safety and take the necessary precautions to avoid any type of injury or discomfort.
Here are some tips to make clipping a little easier for you:
- Always clip against the grain, that is, in the opposite direction of hair growth.
- We should never apply force to the clippers to avoid harming the horse. If the machine does not glide well, it may be a blade issue.
- We must ensure that our horse is well secured. Holding it by the halter is the safest option. A trick to keep the horse distracted and therefore calmer is to give it some food, like hay. This will keep it busy while we clip it.
- Be careful with sensitive areas like the head or belly. We should take advantage of when the machine is cool to clip these parts.
- As we clip the horse, it is advisable to cover it with a blanket. If the equine feels cold, it can become nervous.
Types of clipping
There are different varieties of clipping; let's look at the most common:
Pony clip: this involves clipping the neck and chest areas, which is where the horse sweats most. It is most suitable for ponies, hence its name, that are ridden 2 or 3 times a week.
Hunter clip: this is indicated for hunting horses. It involves clipping the entire equine except for its limbs, so that the hair on the legs protects it from cold and mud. It also serves as a shock absorber for bumps, chafing, or cuts it might sustain.
The saddle area is also not clipped. The saddle is usually left on to know where to clip. In this area, the hair protects the skin, which can become irritated and even develop sores with so many hours of riding.
Trace clip: This type of clip has many variations. It can be adapted to each equine depending on the area where the animal sweats most. This clip is suitable for traditional driving horses. It involves cutting the horse's hair on the inside of the neck and stomach, adapting it to each equine by extending it towards the flanks according to their needs.
Blanket clip: The blanket clip is similar to the trace clip. The difference is that a larger amount of hair is removed than in the previous one. It is one of the least used types of clipping today. It involves clipping the stomach, chest, and neck area. It will appear as if the equine is wearing a blanket, hence the origin of its name.
Full clip: This type of clip is mainly performed on horses that compete in winter or that perform demanding work.
Benefits of clipping
-
Horse health: It is important to clip horses to maintain their health. Long, thick hair can accumulate sweat, dirt, and bacteria, which can lead to irritations, skin infections, and diseases in the horse.
-
Horse welfare: Horses can feel uncomfortable and have difficulty regulating their body temperature in warm climates or during intense exercise if they are not clipped. By clipping a horse, greater air circulation to its skin is allowed, which makes it feel cooler and more comfortable.
-
Improved performance: Clipped horses have a greater ability to perform exercise and work, especially in warm climates. This is because they can cool down faster, which allows them to work longer without getting tired.
-
Hygiene: It is easier to keep a horse clean and well-groomed if it has been clipped. Long, thick hair can make it difficult to clean and brush the horse, which can increase the risk of skin problems and diseases.
-
Aesthetics: Clipping a horse can also improve its appearance, as it removes long, thick hair that can be messy and unattractive.
When is it advisable to clip a horse?
Clipping should not be decided solely for aesthetics. It depends on the horse's work, sweating, climate, lifestyle, and the possibility of using suitable blankets afterward.
- Work: a horse that trains and sweats a lot may dry less effectively with long hair.
- Climate: in cold or humid areas, the post-clipping blanket becomes more important.
- Management: it is necessary to assess whether it lives in a stable, pasture, or a mix.
- Welfare: comfort, warmth, and daily monitoring should always be prioritized.
Useful related links:
If the horse is clipped, check the temperature, humidity, and blanket fit: a poor choice can cause rubs, cold, or overheating.
Useful equipment after clipping
After clipping, the horse loses some of its natural protection and needs more careful management of temperature, sweat, and humidity.
Check blankets, coolers, and care products to adapt the routine to the time of year and the horse's work.
