As the winter coat comes through, getting ready for horse clipping season means more than choosing a set of clippers. A clean coat, well-maintained blades and the right rugging routine all help make clipping more manageable for you and your horse.
Whether you're preparing for regular schooling, hunting or competition, having the essentials ready before your first clip saves time when the weather turns. Here's what to consider when putting together your clipping kit, from Liveryman clippers and Carr & Day & Martin grooming products to suitable rugs for the colder months.
Choosing the Right Horse Clippers and Trimmers
Choosing the right clippers comes down to your horse's coat, the type of clip you have in mind and how often you'll be clipping. Full clippers are suited to removing larger areas of coat, while trimmers are ideal for finer details, such as tidying the face and legs or neatening clip lines.
The Liveryman Harmony Plus Wide Blade Horse Clipper offers flexibility and can be used as both a clipper and a trimmer, with interchangeable wide and narrow blades for clipping and trimming. Its low-noise, low-vibration design may also be worth considering horses that are not used to frequent clipping, nervous horses or horses being clipped for the first time.
For regular clipping through a densest winter coat effortlessly, the Liveryman Phoenix Horse Clipper is designed for demanding jobs and comes with two battery packs, giving you a spare when clipping takes longer.
If you mainly need to tidy the face, legs or clip lines, a dedicated trimmer such as the Liveryman Classic is designed for precision work. The Liveryman Nova and Robin Horse Trimmer are also worth exploring smaller grooming jobs, depending on your requirements.
Whichever machine you choose, check blade compatibility and keep suitable clipper oil and cleaning products to hand. You can find these alongside the clippers and trimmers in the Liveryman collection.
Preparing Your Horse's Coat Before Clipping
A clean coat helps make clipping easier, so start by washing your horse with a suitable shampoo from the Carr & Day & Martin (CDM) Gallop Shampoo range. Choose the formula that best suits your horse's coat, rinse thoroughly and allow the coat to dry according to the product instructions.
Once washed, apply CDM Canter Coat Shine to condition the coat, add instant shine and help the clippers glide through the hair more easily. This multi-purpose conditioner can also be used after clipping to maintain a glossy finish, highlight quarter marks and help reduce rug rubbing when applied to the appropriate areas, following the product instructions.
The Carr & Day & Martin Gallop shampoo range includes several options for different grooming needs:
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Gallop Extra Strength Shampoo: Great for really dirty, greasy or light coloured horses, or the first wash of the year to leave the coat clean and shiny.
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Gallop Conditioning Shampoo: A routine shampoo that removes dirt, sweat and grease and is easy to rinse.
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Gallop Stain Removing Shampoo: Useful for stubborn grass and stable stains, particularly on light-coloured horses.
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Gallop Medicated Shampoo: Deep cleansing, CDM’s Gallop Medicated Shampoo is a high specification formula ideal for dry, flaky, itchy, scurfy and sensitive skin. Soothes and calms irritated, sore, damaged and sensitive skin
Choose according to your horse's coat and condition, rinse thoroughly and make sure no moisture remains before clipping. When you're ready, work in a calm, well-lit area with secure footing. Introduce the clippers gradually if your horse is inexperienced and ask an experienced handler for help if needed.
It's also worth preparing your horse for the clipping process itself. Introduce the sound and sensation of clippers gradually, particularly if your horse is inexperienced or tends to become nervous. Foran Equine Nutri-Calm may be worth considering as part of your preparation routine for horses prone to nervousness or excitability.
Coat Finishing After Clipping
Once you've finished clipping, brush away loose hair and clean your equipment before putting it away. For a final grooming touch, CDM Dreamcoat Spray adds a high-gloss finish to the coat, mane and tail.
What Rug Should You Use After Clipping?
Once you remove some of the winter coat, your horse loses part of its natural insulation. Having suitable rugs ready is particularly important in Ireland, where cold temperatures, wind and rain can coincide.
The right choice depends on how much you've clipped, whether your horse lives indoors or out, its body condition and the weather. A fully clipped horse in regular work may need a different rugging arrangement from a trace-clipped leisure horse.
Rug fill weights offer a useful starting point:
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Lightweight: Around 0g to 100g, often suited to milder conditions or horses needing limited additional insulation.
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Mediumweight: Around 150g to 250g, for cooler conditions where more warmth is needed.
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Heavyweight: Around 300g to 400g or more, for colder conditions and horses that need substantial insulation.
These are broad guidelines, not fixed temperature rules. Check your horse regularly under the rug and adjust if it feels too warm or cold. Turnout rugs should provide appropriate weather protection, while stable rugs are intended for indoor use. Compatible liners can add insulation as conditions change.
These options from Red Mills Store cover turnout, layering and stable use.
|
Rug |
Fill |
Price |
|
50g |
€84.95 |
|
|
100g |
€89.95 |
|
|
200g |
€139.95 |
You can compare more options in the turnout rug collection, liner rug collection and stable rug collection.
Your Clipping-Season Checklist
Before your next clip, make sure you have the essentials ready:
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A suitable set of clippers and compatible blades.
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Clipper oil, a cleaning brush and spare blades where needed.
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Shampoo for preparing a clean, dry coat.
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A suitable finishing spray for use after clipping.
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Appropriate stable and turnout rugs, with compatible liners if required.
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A calm, well-lit clipping area and a safe handling plan.
During clipping, use steady strokes, keep the skin taut around folds and sensitive areas, and check blade temperature regularly. Stop if the blades become too hot, and follow the manufacturer's cleaning and maintenance instructions afterwards.
Get Ready for Clipping Season
Get your horse ready for the colder months with our Seasonal Clipping Bundle. Choose a CDM Gallop shampoo, a CDM finishing spray and a Liveryman clipper to suit your grooming routine.
Enjoy 15% off the entire bundle when you add a Liveryman blade, clipper oil or care kit. It's a handy way to get your clipping essentials together and be ready for the season ahead.
Explore the Seasonal Clipping Bundle and get your clipping kit ready for winter.
