Horze Guide

Types of horse clips


There are many different horse clipping styles and designs. When considering the types of horse clip, you should think about:

  • Whether your horse will be stabled
  • Whether your horse will be turned out during the day
  • How much work your horse is in
  • The rugs you have, or are prepared to buy
  • How much your horse sweats
  • The extent to which your horse feels the cold
  • If you horse has been clipped before – if it’s the first time, do a bib clip to build his confidence

Full Clip

All the coat is removed, including the legs, head and ears. This clip leaves the horse with no protection or warmth so requires careful stable management to ensure the horse does not get cold or suffer other ailments, such as rain scald or mud fever. The full clip should only be considered for horses in hard competition work with no turnout throughout the winter.

Hunter Clip

A popular clip for horses in medium to hard work. Although most of the coat is removed, the hunter clip gives the horse protection from the saddle and helps keeps the legs warm and protected. Many people lightly trim the longer hairs running down the back of the leg to give a neat finish and some choose to leave half of the head on for extra warmth and protection. As with the full clip, the hunter clip requires careful stable management to ensure the horse does not become cold.

Blanket Clip

The blanket clip is ideal for horses that are in medium work and turned out during the day when the weather permits. By leaving some hair on in an area not prone to sweating, the horse gets extra warmth but without excessive sweating when working. Many people lightly trim the longer hairs running down the back of the leg to give a neat finish.

Chaser Clip

Very similar to a blanket clip but helps keep the muscles on the top of the neck warm too. The chaser clip is ideal for horses that are in medium work and turned out during the day when the weather permits. Many people lightly trim the longer hairs running down the back of the leg to give a neat finish.

Trace Clip

The trace clip is very similar to the chaser clip but only half of the neck hair is removed and the head hair is either left on completely or only partially removed. This gives the horse more warmth and protection. The trace clip is suitable for horses that are in moderate work and turned out by day.

Irish Clip

The Irish clip is fairly quick and simple to do, making it ideal for young horses and those in light work. By removing hair from the areas that the horse sweats most (around the neck and armpits) sweating can be reduced but the horse still has plenty of warmth where it matters most. The Irish clip is suitable for horses turned out by day.

Bib Clip

As the most basic type of clip, the bib clip removes only a small amount of hair from the front of the neck and chest. Some people also choose to continue the clip so that is runs partially under the belly too (where the girth goes), which is why this clip is often called the neck and belly clip. The bib clip is ideal for horses in light work and can be given to horses that are turned out throughout the winter, providing they are suitably rugged and have access to a field shelter.

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