As the days get shorter and temperatures begin to drop, it feels like it is officially clipping season. For many of us, a winter clip is an important part of our horses seasonal routine, helping us manage the extra warmth generated during exercise and drying them off more quickly after a busy day.
But achieving a great clip involves more than simply switching on the clippers. From preparing the coat and choosing the right blade to getting your winter rugging right, a little preparation goes a long way towards keeping your horse comfortable throughout the colder months.
Whether you’re a seasoned clipping pro or get confused about where and how to start, here are our top tips for making clipping this season that little bit easier.
- Preparation Is Everything
Before you reach for the clippers, take the time to prepare your horse properly. A clean, dry coat is essential for achieving an even finish, helping the blades move smoothly while reducing the build-up of dirt and loose hair.
Start with a thorough groom to remove dust, mud and loose hair. If your horse needs a deeper clean, a bath can help lift grease and stubborn dirt from the coat, provided you have suitable facilities and enough time for them to dry completely. For an extra clean coat, a shampoo such as Carr & Day & Martin’s GALLOP Extra Strength can help tackle dirt and grease, leaving the coat ready for clipping.
Once washed, allow your horse to dry completely before getting started. A breathable, moisture-wicking layer, such as the Aloga Waffle Cooler, can be useful while your horse dries, helping manage moisture without trapping unnecessary heat.
Our tip: Never rush coat preparation. Clipping a damp or dirty coat can make the process more difficult and affect the final result.
2. Get Your Clippers Ready
Good equipment makes a noticeable difference when it comes to clipping. Clean, sharp and well-maintained blades help create a smoother finish and can reduce pulling and friction against the skin.
Before you begin, check that your clippers are working correctly and that your blades are clean, sharp and properly oiled. Keep an eye on blade temperature throughout the session, allowing them to cool when necessary.
When clipping, work methodically using long, even strokes. Keeping your pressure consistent and following the natural contours of your horse will help you achieve a more uniform finish.
The best blade will depend on your clippers, your horse’s coat and the finish you want. Blades around 1.2 mm or 1.5 mm can be suitable for certain clipping requirements, but always check compatibility with your equipment and choose the appropriate option for your horse.
If you’re clipping a nervous horse or tackling a particularly sensitive area, take your time and prioritise comfort over speed.
3. Choose the Right Clip for Your Horse
Not every horse needs the same clip. The right choice depends on their workload, how much they sweat, their living arrangements and how well they cope with changes in temperature.
Here are three popular options to consider:
- Trace clip: A useful option for horses in light to moderate work that need a little extra help managing sweat while retaining more of their natural coat. Hair is removed from the underside of the neck and chest, extending along the lower body. Depending on the variation, clipping may continue along the belly and flanks, with the legs and upper body left untouched.
This style is ideal for horses that still spend plenty of time outdoors and need to retain much of their natural warmth, but tend to sweat around the neck and underside during exercise.
- Hunter clip: A hunter clip removes most of the hair from the body, including the neck, chest, belly, flanks and hindquarters, while leaving the legs unclipped. A saddle patch may also be left on the back to provide additional protection beneath the saddle.
This more extensive clip is often suited to horses in harder work that generate a significant amount of heat and sweat during exercise.
Although the legs retain some natural protection, a hunter-clipped horse will generally need careful rugging and management afterwards to help maintain a comfortable temperature.
- Full clip: Generally suited to horses in harder work that need greater help managing body heat, particularly when they are exercised regularly through winter.
Because very little natural insulation remains, full-clipped horses need particularly careful management. Appropriate rugging, shelter, regular temperature checks and a suitable exercise and cooling-down routine are essential.
Whatever style clip you decide on this autumn/winter, the goal is to remove enough hair to help your horse stay comfortable during work without overlooking the additional warmth and protection they’ll need afterwards. If you’re unsure which clip is most appropriate, consider your horse’s individual needs and seek advice from an experienced groom or equine professional.
4. Don't Forget the Finishing Touches
Once the clipping is finished, give your horse a thorough groom to remove loose hair. Any remaining clipped hair can irritate the skin, particularly where it becomes trapped beneath rugs or around tack.
A clean, slightly damp warm cloth can help remove stubborn loose hairs, but avoid excessive rubbing and take extra care around sensitive areas. Check the skin for any signs of redness, irritation or small nicks, and make sure your horse is completely dry before putting their rugs back on.
It’s also worth checking your rugs at this stage. Clean linings, well-fitting straps and smooth seams all help reduce the risk of rubbing against a freshly clipped coat. A little extra care after clipping can make all the difference to your horse’s comfort in the days that follow.
Our tip: Using Carr & Day & Martin’s Dream Coat, spray the interior lining of rugs and hoods to help reduce friction against a freshly clipped coat.
5. Get Your Winter Rugging Right
Once that thick winter coat has been removed, your horse will rely more heavily on appropriate rugging to help maintain a comfortable temperature.
However, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. The right rug will depend on how much hair has been removed, your horse’s age and condition, whether they live in or out, their access to shelter and the weather conditions.
Rather than automatically choosing a heavier rug, think about how you can adjust your horse’s layers as temperatures change. Aloga liners offer a practical way to add warmth beneath compatible stable or turnout rugs, giving you greater flexibility throughout the season. They can be particularly useful when the weather changes from one day to the next, allowing you to adapt your horse’s blankets without replacing the entire rug.
Regular checks are essential. Feel beneath the rug around the chest and behind the withers, and look out for sweating, dampness, shivering or changes in behaviour. These can all indicate that your horse may need a different level of warmth.
Our tip: Think in layers. A flexible rugging system makes it easier to respond to changing winter temperatures and your horse’s individual needs.
6. Support a Healthy Coat from the Inside Out
Although clipping removes much of the coat, looking after your horse’s skin and overall condition remains just as important throughout winter. A balanced diet, good-quality forage, access to fresh water and a consistent grooming routine all contribute to general health and coat condition. If you’re considering additional nutritional support, products such as Red Mills Define & Shine or Foran Equine Kentucky Karron Oil may be worth discussing with your vet or equine nutritionist, depending on your horse’s diet and individual requirements.
Supplements should complement a balanced feeding plan rather than replace it, so always consider the bigger picture before introducing anything new. Alongside good nutrition, regular grooming and skin checks will help you spot any changes early and keep your horse feeling their best throughout the season.
Ready to Make the Most of Clipping Season?
A successful winter clip comes down to preparation, patience and attention to detail. Start with a clean, dry coat, keep your equipment in good condition and take the time to choose a clip that suits your horse’s workload.
Most importantly, remember that clipping is only one part of winter care. Appropriate rugging, regular grooming and ongoing checks will help keep your horse comfortable as the temperature drops.
With the right routine and a few well-chosen essentials, you can head into winter feeling organised and ready for the season ahead.
Explore Aloga Equestrian’s range of stable rugs, turnout rugs, liners and coolers to find your winter essentials.