A horse that works hard in winter sweats in a thick coat and then dries slowly. That is why many owners clip their horse in autumn. On this page you will find clippers and trimmers for horses, from a cordless machine for the whole body to a compact trimmer for head, ears and legs.
The machines
- Wahl KM Supera: cordless, 380 grams, two speeds and a 1.5 mm blade. According to Wahl, suitable for a full clip on horses with an easy coat and a partial clip on thick coats. At 68 dB it is relatively quiet. An extra Li-Ion battery is available separately.
- Wahl KMC+: works with and without cord, two speeds and a battery that lasts up to about 2 hours. Also usable for dogs and cats. With the set of eight stainless steel attachment combs (3 to 25 mm), you clip to length.
- Horse Clipper Toilet Plus: a light clipper with a 3-metre cord, 35 watts and a 5 cm wide clipping head, supplied with attachment combs. Intended for detail work.
Which clipper suits your job
First decide what you are going to clip. If you only want to tidy up the head, ears, chin and legs, a compact trimmer is enough. If you clip the neck and belly, or the whole horse, you need a machine with more power and a long running time. Also consider:
- Noise and weight: a quiet, light machine is more pleasant with a nervous horse and for long clipping sessions.
- Battery or cord: a battery gives freedom of movement; a cord does not limit the running time.
- Attachment combs: handy if you do not want to clip down to the skin, for example on the legs.
Points to note when clipping
Clip a clean, dry coat; sand and grease quickly blunt blades. Feel the blade now and then to check it is not getting too hot and oil it according to the manual. A clipped horse has less insulation of its own, so plan beforehand which rug he needs in the stable and in the field.
You will find rugs in headcollars and rugs, and tips for the cold season in getting your horse ready for winter. More in horse care: grooming supplies and shampoo and coat care.
Frequently asked questions
How often does a clipper blade need to be sharpened or replaced?
That depends on how much and how dirty a coat you clip. If the blade pulls at the hair or clips unevenly, it is time for a sharp blade.
Can I also do the legs and head with one clipper?
Around the head and legs, a small, light machine is more pleasant to work with. If you want one machine for everything, choose a model that can also handle larger areas.
Do the Wahl attachment combs fit every clipper?
The 8-piece set is designed for the Wahl KMC+. For other machines, check the manual.