What to Do If Your Horse Hates the Clippers: A Care Guide

Having a horse that is difficult to clip can be very frustrating, never mind downright dangerous. It usually seems to be the horses that need clipping the most who have the biggest issues with clippers.

Whether your horse has had a bad experience or came with a pre-existing fear, this comprehensive guide offers useful tips to help you and your horse approach clipping calmly and safely.

Preparation is Key to Success

Start early by gradually getting your horse accustomed to the clippers during warmer months before actual clipping. This helps build positive associations over time and reduces stress.

Horses have different trigger points—they may be bothered by the sound, the vibration, or the cable. Using quiet battery-operated clippers can help remove the cable concern.

Try introducing small clippers like dog clippers for tricky spots or even an electric toothbrush to mimic the sound and vibration. Begin by letting your horse see and feel the clippers while turned off, then progress to turning them on at a distance, rewarding calm behaviour with gentle pats or treats.

Gradually bring the clippers closer until you can run them lightly on your horse’s body, allowing them to feel the vibration in a non-threatening way. This process might take several sessions—patience is crucial.

Observe carefully to identify your horse’s specific triggers. Is it the noise? The movement? Changing clipper sides? Tackling these little details can make all the difference.

Is Your Horse Scared or Just Being Difficult?

Some horses may dramatise the process, while others genuinely fear the clippers. Many fall somewhere in between—unsettled but not terrified.

Calm, confident handling is the cornerstone of successful clipping. Your horse looks to you for reassurance; if you are nervous, it will pick up and mirror your anxiety.

If you lack confidence, consider doing the acclimatisation work yourself and then asking an experienced clipper to perform the clipping. Experienced professionals are often quicker and less hesitant, which helps the horse relax.

Where and How to Clip

A clean, quiet, empty stable is ideal. Remove water buckets and any hazards loose on the floor.

A hay net can provide a comforting distraction to keep your horse calm during clipping.

Be realistic about how much clipping your horse truly needs. A minimal clip such as a sweat or bib clip is often easier for the horse to tolerate than a full or complicated clip.

Sedation: A Last Resort with Caution

Over-the-counter options like Sedalin are available, but some horses may still react despite sedation. Full sedation should always be administered by a vet, and even then, horses can suddenly become alert and reactive. Use sedation only when absolutely necessary and never neglect safety precautions.

Different Types of Clip

• Sweat or Bib Clip: Hair removed from the front, down to the girth area; good for light work horses.
• Strip Clip: Similar to sweat clip but removes hair from underneath the midline.
• Trace Clip: Hair removed from lower sides; legs and back remain covered; good for horses lightly worked in winter.
• Blanket Clip: The area under the saddle is left with hair; the rest including neck and body clipped; good for cold-backed horses.
• Chaser Clip: Clip follows a diagonal line behind the ears to in front of the stifle.
• Hunter Clip: Most hair is removed except legs and saddle area.
• Full Clip: Complete hair removal; usually for horses with heavy work regimes.

It’s best to start with a lighter clip even with compliant horses, increasing the clipped area progressively as needed over the clipping season.

Top Tips for Safe, Successful Clipping

• Ensure your horse is obedient and respectful on the ground before clipping; handling issues often worsen with clippers.
• Train your horse on both sides as some horses have a preferred or sensitive side.
• Be honest and conservative about how much clipping your horse genuinely requires.
• Always prioritise safety: never mix electricity and horses without measures like proper footing, equipment maintenance, and assistance.

Remember, clipping difficult horses requires patience, understanding and respect for your horse’s comfort and limits. By gradually desensitising your horse to clippers, providing calm leadership and employing safe clipping methods, you can transform what might have been a stressful chore into a manageable and even rewarding experience.

For further guidance and to find nearby horses for sale, visit reputable sites and consult your vet or equine professional for advice tailored to your horse's needs.