Winter is just around the corner, which means many riders will be reaching for their clippers. As the days get shorter and temperatures drop, your horse starts growing its natural winter coat. Love it or hate it, but your horse quickly turns into a fluffy teddy bear. Of course, this isn't always practical when riding. Your horse will sweat more quickly and heavily, requiring you to walk more extra laps before he's dry again. That's why many riders choose to clip their horse in the winter.
What is Clipping?
If you choose to clip your horse, you remove its coat. You're literally stripping it down to its bare skin. This means your horse will be too cold and you'll need to provide one or more blankets in the stable or pasture. Clipping allows your horse to release heat more easily during winter training, sweating less quickly. You can choose to fully clip your horse or only certain parts. There are different patterns, such as the hunter clip where everything is clipped except the legs and under the saddle. Depending on your horse and training intensity, you can choose the model that best suits you and your horse.
When to Clip?
You should clip your horse only once the winter coat is fully developed and no longer growing. For most horses, this is around mid-October, but it can vary. You know your horse best, so keep a close eye on it. The weather also plays an important role. If it stays warm for a long time, the growth of the winter coat may start more slowly. From mid-October, horses are often clipped for the first time, but some may need to be clipped two or even three times if the winter coat grows back quickly.
How Does Clipping Work?
If it's the first time you're clipping your horse, you need to let it get used to it. A clipping machine makes quite a bit of noise, so let your horse get used to the sound. Take your time so your horse doesn't get scared and remain afraid of it forever. Choose, if possible, a quiet but familiar place where you have enough space. If your horse continues to find it too stressful, you can choose to give it a calming supplement in advance. Safety for both the horse and the clipper is crucial.
It's best to wash your horse before clipping. Sand, mud, or other dirt can damage your clipping machine. Simply brushing is not enough. If you don't wash your horse, the blades will wear out too quickly. If there's too much sand on your horse, the blades will become dull. Make sure your horse is completely dry. A clipping machine cannot clip wet hair.
Always ensure that your blades are clean and sharp. It's also never a bad idea to have spare blades. You never know if your blades will give out while your horse is only half clipped. Regularly clean your clipping machine during clipping. Also, make sure the blades don't get too hot. To quickly cool the blades, you can use a cooling spray. This spray cools the blades immediately and they are cleaned and lubricated. Always clip against the grain and don't press too hard on the clipping machine. To avoid streaks, it's best to clip in overlapping lanes.
Which Clipping Machine to Choose?
There are many different types, sizes, and brands of clipping machines. Do you want to fully clip your horse? Then go for a large clipping machine, such as the Heiniger Xperience Clipper for large areas like the neck, belly, and buttocks. The wide clipper blades are strong enough and very suitable for this. For your horse's legs and head, it's best to use a trimmer. A trimmer is smaller and more maneuverable, allowing for more precise clipping. Thanks to the narrower blades, you can clip these tricky spots better. Moreover, it's more pleasant for the horse if the head is clipped with a small and quiet clipping machine. If there's no power outlet available in your stable, choose a clipping machine with a rechargeable battery, such as the Heiniger Saphir Horse with a duo battery. Do you have a horse that's easily startled by noise? In that case, the Heiniger Opal is a good choice. It's extremely quiet for a powerful clipping machine, at only 59 decibels.
Maintenance of Your Clipping Machine
The most important aspect of clipping is having sharp blades. You should sharpen the blades after every 3 to 5 clipping sessions. Did you know you can get your blades sharpened with us? Bring them to one of our stores and we'll make sure they're razor-sharp again! With specialized machines in our own workshop, we can do this quickly and at a good price. Are your blades due for replacement? Check out our extensive assortment.
During clipping, it's essential to regularly remove hair from between the blades and oil them every 10 minutes. You should use about 30 ml of oil per clipping session. Not all oils are suitable for your clipping machine. It's best to use special oil for clipping machines.
After clipping, the blades and filters of the machine need to be cleaned. It's best to store the blades in wax paper or plastic with oil on them. This keeps the blades oily and prevents rust. Never rinse the blades under water, as this will cause them to rust.
Winter Blanket
When your horse is fully clipped, it no longer has a coat for the cold winter days. Therefore, put a warm blanket on your horse immediately after clipping. Not sure which blanket to use and when? Read all about it in our blog on winter blankets.
If you have any questions after reading this blog, don't hesitate to contact us. We're happy to help.
