A horse in full winter coat that works hard sweats, and a wet coat takes a long time to dry. Body clipping takes off the hair where he sweats most, so he cools out and dries faster.
But every clip leaves him with less coat to keep him warm, so the right clip depends on his work, where he lives, and how you’ll blanket him. Here are the main clips, who each one suits, and what to sort out before clip day.
Before you book a clip
0 of 9 checked
Your ticks stay in this browser, so you can come back to the list.
Why do people body clip horses?
What are the main types of body clips?
Short answer
From the least hair off to the most: bib, Irish, trace, chaser, blanket, hunter and full. Each one takes off more of the coat than the one before it.
- Bib. Only the underside of the neck and the chest. The smallest clip, for horses ridden now and then.3
- Irish. The underside of the neck, the chest and the belly, cut on a diagonal line. For young horses and horses in light work.23
- Trace. The underside and sides of the neck, the chest and the belly, with the hair left on the head, the topline and the legs. It can be set low, medium or high, depending on how far up the line goes. It was first used on carriage horses.423
- Chaser. Like a high trace with the head clipped, and the top of the neck left covered. A traditional clip for steeplechasers in hard work.3
- Blanket. The neck and the flanks come off, leaving a blanket-shaped patch over the back and hindquarters, and the legs.42
- Hunter. Everything except the legs and a saddle patch. Made for horses in heavy work in wet, muddy country, like field hunters, because they come clean and dry quickly.42
- Full. The whole coat, legs and head included. Common on show horses that compete through the winter.43
Names and lines vary from clipper to clipper and from region to region, so ask yours to show you where the lines will fall.
Which clip is right for my horse?
Short answer
Match it to his work and how he lives. Light work and living out: a bib or Irish clip. Steady daily work: a trace clip. Hard work, stabled with blankets: a chaser or blanket clip. Very hard and competition work: a hunter or full clip.3
Start with how hard he’ll work this winter, not how he’ll look. A horse that lives out needs more of his coat than a horse that comes in at night under a blanket.
A clip for a horse in hard work usually means more hours in the barn and a blanket most of the time. One guide that groups clips by workload says horses with a hunter clip are nearly always fully stabled.3
If you’re not sure, start smaller. You can always take off more later, but you can’t put it back.4
Does a clipped horse need a blanket?
Short answer
In cold weather, yes. Once he’s clipped, keeping him warm is up to you, and the more hair you take off, the more blanketing he needs.213
Blanket him as soon as you can after the clip.3 A blanket at night is a must, and a thinner sheet may do on warmer nights.1
The Horse suggests having at least three: a light sheet for the day, a cooler or anti-sweat sheet, and a heavy blanket. Check him at least once a day to decide if he needs heavier or lighter, and dry him fully after he sweats, because a damp blanket won’t keep him warm.1
Should I leave a saddle patch or the legs?
When should a horse be clipped, and how often?
Short answer
Most horses get their first clip in the fall, once the winter coat has grown in, and again as it grows back through the season. One guide suggests every 3 to 5 weeks, and no later than the end of February if you want a clean summer coat.3
How do I get my horse ready for clip day?
Short answer
Have him clean and dry. A clean coat keeps the clipper blades from dulling.2
- Bathe or brush him ahead of time, so he’s completely dry when the clipper arrives.2
- If he’s nervous of clippers, start getting him used to the sound early in the fall.1
- A tail bandage on the dock keeps the tail hair from being cut.1
- Have a dry spot with power ready, and your blankets close by for when he’s done.
- Tell your clipper about sensitive spots, scars, or anything the vet has said about his skin.
What should I get from my clipper after the clip?
Short answer
Which clip they did, anything they noticed on the skin, how to blanket him now, and when he’s due for the next clip. Many clippers also send before and after photos.
Keep it all in one place. The next time he’s clipped, you’ll know what you asked for last time and how it worked out over the winter.
If your clipper doesn’t mention blanketing or the next clip, ask before they pack up.
With WWC: Body clippers on Western Web Co. can send a body clipping report: the clip, before and after photos side by side, notes on the skin and coat, aftercare and the next clip, with their logo on it.
More questions about clips
Can a horse that lives outside be clipped?
Yes, usually with a smaller clip like a bib or Irish clip, and a blanket whenever he’s turned out in cold weather.3
Can I clip my horse in summer?
Yes. Some competition and show horses are clipped year-round.3
What’s the difference between a trace clip and a blanket clip?
A trace clip takes the hair off the underside of the neck, chest and belly and leaves the topline. A blanket clip goes higher, taking off the whole neck and the flanks and leaving a patch over the back and hindquarters.4
Do I need a professional body clipper?
You don’t have to use one, but a full or hunter clip on a big horse takes hours and a steady hand. A professional brings the right clippers and blades, sets clean, even lines, and can tell you what they noticed on the skin.
Written by the Western Web Co. team. We’re family owned and build WWC in Cave Creek, Arizona.