Horse Needs to Be Absolutely Dry and Clean

The Horse needs to be absolutely dry and clean before starting to clip. It is also a good idea to bandage the tail out of the way. A full clip can take quite some time, although the experienced clipper will do one in roughly 45 minutes.

Make sure you have enough time to complete the clip in one session. Start on the shoulder, and lay the clipper blades smooth against the coat, then using long, clean strokes work against the hair.

Work as quickly and efficiently as you can, and take particular care in the inaccessible regions, as between the front legs and behind the elbows. Stretch the skin smooth where necessary with your free hand.

With each stroke of the clippers, you need to slightly overlap the stroke before so that you do not leave any ridges of hair showing. Be careful not to clip away any hits of the mane or tail, but above the top of the tail leave a small triangle to finish off nicely.

Have a stool nearby in case you need one to reach the top of the back and the head. Take great care around the head region, as this is the area that a horse is most likely to object to. As you clip the hair away from the body, put a blanket over the quarters to prevent the horse getting chilled.