Shaving and grooming animals is an integral part of any owner’s life, whether it’s a dog, cat or even a horse. Proper care is essential to keeping your animal’s coat beautiful and shiny.
For such large animals as horses, finding a professional grooming salon can be tough. Such a service is quite expensive and the price may end up being far beyond your budget.
It’s actually not a bad idea to take things into your own hands and start learning how to clip your horse. All you need is a good clipper and this article!
How to choose the best horse clipper?
The clipper features an interchangeable blade system, so you can use it on different parts of your horse’s body. Thanks to its chrome-plated coating, you don’t have to worry about rusting. Replacing the blades is extremely easy, and the maintenance – even easier!
Moreover, you can switch between low and high speed to ensure a continuous workflow. The clipper is very precise and quiet, so the grooming experience is stress-free for both you and your horse.
This is a corded clipper, but the cord is long enough to allow you to walk around your horse without any restrictions.
However, only one blade is included in the set, which is a considerable downgrade when compared to the other models listed here.
The equipment you use to clip your horse should provide you with quick, easy and effective results. If you choose poor quality tools, you probably won’t be able to do the job properly, and in fact, you may hurt your horse.
Take a look at what to consider before making any decisions.
Battery
A long-lasting battery is extremely important if you decide to choose a cordless clipper. The better the motor of the device, the longer you will be able to groom your horse.
Corded power is still very popular among groomers, but in case of this option, make sure that the cord is long enough for you to be able to easily walk around the horse.
Size
Seeking to achieve better efficiency, manufacturers produce slightly larger clippers to accommodate a more powerful power supply, but these are much heavier and uncomfortable for longer use. The decision of what size clipper you need is up to you.
If you are interested in shaving minor and more fragile parts of the horse’s body, such as the head, go for a smaller device.
Construction
The whole thing should not be too heavy and clumsy – it is better to choose one that you can easily hold in your hand.
Even though plastic is lighter than aluminum or other such materials, when it comes to clippers, try to avoid plastic designs.
Blades
There are usually two blades in the sets – one in the clipper and one spare. The blades come in different sizes, so the effect you get depends on the type and size of the chosen blade.
When clipping a horse you need to be aware of its needs and the type of environment it lives in, e.g. a horse that lives in a warm climate should be shaved close to the skin, whereas horses from colder areas should be able to thermoregulate and not be deprived of all their body hair.
If you master the blade swapping and learn the purpose of the blades, the whole process will be quick, efficient, and effortless.
Clipping your horse – useful safety tips
Clipping horses can be dangerous and can put your animal at risk for many cuts and injuries if done by an inexperienced person. To avoid cuts and other wounds, make sure you follow the few tips enumerated below.
- Clippers overheat – some quickly, others slower, but the process itself is inevitable. To prevent burns, use a cooling fluid on the blades. Another way to prevent overheating is to simply turn off the device and continue working once it has cooled down.
- The time you choose for clipping your horse is extremely important. Mid-spring is a rather bad time, as you will interrupt the process of summer hair growth.
- Do not clip your horse right before leaving for a competition – the coat will become rough and dull. It takes a few days to two weeks for the hair to regain its proper condition.
- Sensitive, hard to reach and smaller areas, such as the horse’s head, should be treated with a smaller clipper or a smaller blade.
- Before clipping, secure the mane and tail so that you don’t accidentally cut them.
TOP 5 Best horse clippers
1. Waldhausen Super Dandy horse clipper set
The first clipper we would like to introduce is the Waldhausen Super Dandy. Its efficiency is average, but it will be sufficient for those who are not very demanding and whose horses are not too shaggy. It is a very affordable model, which is why it is chosen by many people.
The Wahl clipper does a good job and works best on small areas with finest hair, such as the head, ears or fetlocks.
When you purchase the clipper, you get a full set for shaving your horse. In the package you will find: a clipper, 3mm cap, 1mm cutting shears, 5mm cap, a comb and oil for the clipper.
The clipper is not battery powered, therefore it must be plugged in while being used, which may upset some horses.
The clipper weighs almost 1.5 kg, so continuous operation can be challenging.
Pros:
- Affordable price
Cons:
- Tends to clog when used on more demanding areas
- Fairly heavy
2. Heiniger Saphir wireless horse clipper
This is a very good model of clipper, as it incorporates both versatility of use and lightweight design and convenience.
Despite the lightweight design, its strength and efficiency can impress. The whole thing is powered by a lithium-ion battery, which can last up to 60 minutes of continuous operation. The model is suitable for any type of horse hair coat.
The clipper comes with blade oil, one set of blades, brush, charger and manual.
The clipper, including the battery, weighs only 440 g! The work with this clipper is quick and easy.
Pros:
- Strong lithium-ion battery
- Durable and lightweight
Cons:
- Operating time may not be enough to shave the entire horse
3. Oster Clipmaster clipping machine
The aforementioned clipper wasn’t intended for clipping the horse’s entire body. If you want to groom a considerable part of your horse’s coat, the Oster Clipmaster will be a great choice. You can even use it to clip thick winter coat.
This device is extremely versatile and you can adjust it to your needs. The clipper has a wide range of speed adjustments – ranging from 700 to 3,000 strokes per minute, plus you can personalize the position of the blades.
Another advantage of this clipper is its body, which is made of very durable materials and is not likely to be damaged even if it falls, as the entire body is impact-resistant.
By purchasing this device you get a full groomer’s kit that will allow you to properly care for your horse.
Although the clipper is not the prettiest and does not impress with its visual appearance, it certainly serves its purpose and is indeed very affordable.
Pros:
- Made of durable, impact-resistant materials
- Various speed settings
- Good for clipping the whole body
- Does not clog
Cons:
- Design
- Weight
4. Andis Pro Clip two-speed clipper
Andis is one of the major manufacturers of horse clippers. The clipper we are about to introduce is one that you absolutely need to check out, because it is awesome!
The clipper features an interchangeable blade system, so it is possible to shave different parts of your horse’s body with one clipper. Thanks to the chrome plating, you don’t have to worry about rust. Changing blades is extremely easy, and grooming even easier!
What’s more, you can choose between a low or higher gear which will guarantee a continuous shave. The clipper is very precise and quiet, which means shaving free from stress and frustration.
It is a corded clipper, but it is long enough for you to move around your horse freely.
Only one blade is included, which is much less when compared to other clippers in this list.
Pros:
- Silent
- Precise
- Long cord
- Suitable for professional use
Cons:
- Only one blade included
5. Heiniger Xplorer cordless horse clipper
One of the best portable clippers on the market. It is cordless, so you can do your work very quickly and easily without having to constantly move your horse around.
Its shape is so well thought out that it fits any hand type and does not slip out of the hand or cause discomfort. The battery lasts for about 2 hours of continuous use! It takes 2 hours to fully charge the kit.
One of the biggest advantages of this clipper is the working time. It is a very modern razor, which makes clipping quick and pleasant.
In the set you will find a spare battery, brush, oil, blade, and the whole thing is conveniently boxed.
Pros:
- Ergonomic design
- Lightweight body
- Powerful battery
Cons:
- Strong clipper – beginner groomers need to be careful not to clip more than intended
FAQ
Is clipping horses necessary?
Do wild horses need clipping? No. Their coat is longer in winter when they need more warmth, and shorter in summer when the temperature increases.
However, if your horse has a long coat and the temperature is high, clipping may be necessary for its comfort.
Nevertheless, when it comes to clipping, the decision is up to the owner, depending on his needs and preferences regarding the horse’s look.
How to handle a nervous horse?
Not every horse will stand still during clipping. When shaving a horse that is rather anxious, take special care not to hurt it.
Make sure you use a quiet and gentle clipper. If your horse is particularly nervous, concentrate on the areas that really require clipping and if the stress is too severe, simply stop the process.
Does clipping hurt the horse?
It is possible, but just like with humans – sometimes we experience discomfort when shaving areas such as our arms. Some razors are not very gentle and can cause discomfort to your animal. Try out different razors of various motors and sizes to find the best one.
Summary
To conclude, the best horse clippers are from reliable manufacturers who have been establishing their reputation and quality over many years. Most clippers, despite their many advantages, also have drawbacks. Before you decide on a model, consider your needs and equipment expectations.
