Horse clippers are always an asset to have on hand, whether you do all your own grooming, just a few touch-ups here and there, preparing for a show, or clipping to clean up any wound areas for treatment. Certain types of clippers are better suited than others for specific tasks and areas of the horse, so it’s important to select the clipper that will do what you need the best. Consider the following when you go to purchase a new pair of clippers:
- Main Purpose – If you will be regularly body clipping your horse you will need a heavy duty pair specifically for body clipping. Because these clippers are used on larger areas of your horse, they are designed to run for long periods of time and utilize wide blades. Touch-up clippers should never be used for body clipping, as they are not designed for heavy duty clipping, and you could damage the motor. If you plan to use the horse clippers for trimming legs or facial area as well as body clipping, a multi-speed clipper can function for both tasks fairly well, although you may want a narrower blade for smaller areas around the face. For just the occasional trimming of the bridle path and other small areas, horse clippers labeled as “trimmers” will get the job done.
- Budget – There is a wide selection of horse clipper options available, so finding something that will fit your budget and accomplish your goal should be within reach. Keep in mind that a high quality pair of clippers that are properly cared for will last you a long time and are a great investment.
- Type of Blade – You will need different blades for different clipping jobs. The higher the number of the clipper blade, the shorter the hair remaining will be. A #10 blade comes in wide and regular widths, will leave the hair the longest, and are the most popular for body clipping. A #15 clipper blade is better suited for the larger areas of the horse’s head, and a #30 clipper blade leave a fine cut and is good for removing the hair around the ears, eyes and nose of show horses. Both of these are regular widths, which is ideal for areas that require more detail.
As you select horse clippers and start to work on trimming up your horse, you may find that having a couple different sets of horse clippers on hand is ideal. Certainly having various blade sizes and widths is helpful as you move from one area of your horse to another. Remember to have your blades sharpened or replaced as you start to feel resistance during clipping. Ensuring you bathe your horse before body clipping will also help your clipper blades have a longer lifespan. Whatever your grooming plan, the right clippers for your goal and budget will help you get your horse looking his best.