For many horse owners, shearing can be a chore, especially if your horse is afraid of the process. But keeping a horse’s coat properly trimmed is important to the animal’s health and comfort.

Here are some tips to help you feel more confident and in control when shearing your horse, including helpful information on buying the right horse clippers, keeping the animal calm and deciding which mowing technique is best for your horse.

Why should a horse’s coat be trimmed?

When horses’ coats are trimmed properly, they are better able to regulate their body temperature.

“In the summer, a non-skid horse can sweat a lot while working,” says Antoinette Daddario, an equine owner who has 22 years of experience grooming and grooming horses. “In the winter, a non-skid horse can get cold if it gets sweaty.”

Also, having a clipper horse saves time if it rides regularly. When your horse is clipped, its coat dries faster after a shower or intense exercise, she says. Being able to better see his skin helps you find and treat any cuts or injuries that could lead to infection.

But keep in mind that you need to pay more attention to insects, sun protection for horses mowed in summer, and blankets for warmth for horses mowed in winter.

Find the right horse clippers

Having the right horse grooming machine can make grooming your horse an efficient and less stressful experience for both of you. But there is no one-size-fits-all solution for every horse.

To figure out which equine clippers make the most sense for you and your horse, you have to consider your needs as well as the needs of your horse, says Sally Morgan, PT, CST, a holistic people and animal physical therapist and PATH-certified therapeutic riding instructor.

If you want to buy horse clippers that are light enough to hold for long periods of time and easily maneuverable so you can move around your horse effectively; One example is the Andis ProClip AGC2 UltraEdge 2-speed detachable blade pet clipper. You also want to think about how sensitive your horse is to noises and physical sensations. Some horse clippers are louder and vibrate more forcefully than others.

Be sure to keep the design of your barn in mind, too. If you don’t have easy access to a power outlet, you’ll want to consider battery-powered horse clippers like the Oster Lithium + Ion Pro3000iTM cordless horse clippers or the Andis Plus ZR Detachable Cordless Horse Clipper.

It’s also helpful to have a razor wash on hand in case hair and dirt start to stick to the blades. Be prepared to disassemble and clean as needed in case it becomes clogged.

Since there is a large area of ​​the surface that must be covered while you are mowing your horse, be sure to constantly check that the blades do not get too hot for your horse. D’Addario says a cooling spray can help ensure your horse stays comfortable and relaxed during the process. Andis Cool Care Plus is a blade coolant that also acts as a disinfectant, lubricant, cleaner, and anti-rust.

A blade lubricant can keep your horse clippers in top condition. You should lubricate them as needed or whenever they start to leave streaks on the horse, she says. And always wash and dry them after each clip.

Remember, it’s a messy process. Wear comfortable clothing that you can move around easily. Your hair will be covered when finished; Both D’Addario and Morgan recommend wearing extra layers. “I’ve found a plastic rain scrubber to be one of the best materials for keeping hair away from your skin,” says Daddario.

Preparing your horse for a story

The first step to successful shearing your horse is to groom them well. Give them a bath, vacuum or a good brushing to remove as much dirt from their coat as possible. Excess dust and dirt can get stuck in the blades of horse clippers, Daddario says, slowing the process and possibly damaging your equipment.

But if you choose to wash the horse, do not mow it near the same place where you gave it a bath. “A lot of people don’t think about it, but it’s very dangerous to have electrical equipment around standing water and horses,” Morgan says. Many horses wear metal boots, so it is important to consider their safety.

Morgan also recommends introducing the horse to the clipper slowly and gently and waiting for the time when the barn is calm to clip it. “When I clip my horse for the first time, I tend to start by cutting the hair somewhere lower,” Daddario says. “I put the blades on their skin so they can get used to the feel and the sound. Then I slowly lift them up and start cutting the less sensitive areas, like the belly and hips.”

Moving slowly and talking to your horse can help calm his nerves, Daddario says. You can also ask someone else to keep the horse still and distracted while you work.  

Six styles of horse grooming and when to use them

The most popular horse shearing styles include full body, hunter, blanket, track, Irish and bib.

full body

As the name suggests, this includes a full body cut. It’s often used for show horses or those who work in hot climates, Daddario says.

“This is the type of clip I use most often.”

The full body clip makes it easy to bathe and cool horses after workouts and keep them clean. Just be sure to keep it properly covered in the winter, she says.

Fisher man

The hunter’s clip is similar to the full-body clip, but the legs are left untucked along with a saddle patch on the back and belly.

This helps keep them comfortable during long rides in a thick brush, says Morgan.

“The hair left under the saddle helps keep the back muscles warm and protects the back from bits of debris that may collect under the saddle pad,” she says.

Leaving the legs unturned helps keep the horse warm during the winter months, Daddario says, but you should still change blankets as needed.

blanket

With this style, the majority of a horse’s coat is left intact. Usually only the neck, chest, lower abdomen and hips are cut.

The blanket clip helps the horse stay warm in the winter while allowing areas where sweat accumulates to dry quickly. With this clip, you’ll want to make sure your horse has plenty of time to cool off and dry out after a sweat-packed workout, says Daddario.

Effect

The tracking clip is similar to the blanket clip, but a lower neck portion is clipped. You can adjust the cut as needed depending on how much the horse is working — the harder it works, the more you cut the neck, says Daddario.

Morgan says that starting with the tracking clip is a low-stress way to introduce the horse to the horse shearing process.

Irish

The Irish clip involves clipping the hair on the abdomen, neck and chest, leaving the rest of the body uncovered. It is often used on horses that live outside in the winter but still need to cool off after work.

bib

In this style, only the lower side of the neck and chest is clipped. It’s best for horses that live in cold conditions and get stuck sometimes. But horses with this cutting style often need extra time to cool off after a ride or exercise.