Blanket Clip Walkthrough

Your Guide to the Blanket Clip

Picture wearing a big, fluffy winter coat while you run around and play. You’d get hot and sweaty fast. Horses are a bit like that, especially when they’re working hard or wearing cozy blankets in colder weather. A thick winter coat is great for keeping a horse warm outdoors without a blanket, but it can make the horse too hot and sweaty when it exercises or when it’s wearing a rug.

Clipping solves that. It means carefully trimming a horse’s long winter coat with special electric clippers, a bit like giving a haircut to the whole body (or parts of it). One of the most popular and practical clips, especially for horses that wear blankets, is the Blanket Clip. This guide explains everything about it, from why it’s a good idea to how it’s done, so you can keep your horse happy and comfortable.

Why Do Horses Need Clipping?

Horses need clipping mainly because a thick coat makes them too sweaty and slow to dry. It seems strange at first to take away a horse’s natural winter coat, but there are really good reasons, especially for horses that are ridden regularly or live in a barn with blankets:

• Less Sweat, Faster Drying: A horse with a thick coat sweats a lot when it exercises. The sweat gets trapped in the long hair and leaves the horse cold and clammy as it cools down, even under a blanket. Clipping helps the horse sweat less and dry much faster after a ride, which is very important for its health.
• Easier to Clean and Groom: A shorter coat is much easier to brush and keep clean. Mud and dirt don’t stick as much, and it’s quicker to get the horse looking spick and span. For a range of products to keep your horse’s coat clean and shiny, check out our Coat & Body Care section.
• More Comfortable Under Blankets: A thick coat under a blanket can be bulky and even rub in places. A clipped coat, especially with a blanket clip, lets the blanket fit better and work more efficiently to keep the horse warm without overheating.
• Better Temperature Control: A horse with a thick coat that sweats a lot finds it hard to cool down. Clipping, along with good blanketing, helps owners manage the horse’s body temperature more effectively.

Understanding Different Types of Clips

There are many ways to clip a horse, depending on how much hair you want to remove and what kind of work the horse does. Think of them as different hairstyles for people. These are some common ones:

• Full Clip: This clip removes all the hair from the entire body, legs and often the head. It’s usually for horses in very hard work that are kept indoors and rugged heavily.
• Hunter Clip: It’s similar to a full clip, but it leaves hair on the legs and a saddle patch (a square of hair where the saddle sits), which gives the legs and back some protection.
• Trace Clip: This clip removes hair from the areas where a horse sweats most, the belly, neck and sometimes parts of the shoulders. It leaves a “trace” of hair along the top and legs.
• Bib Clip: This is a very light clip that removes hair only from the chest and underneath the neck, like a bib. It’s good for horses in light work.
• The Blanket Clip: This is our star, and the next section looks at what makes it so special.

The Blanket Clip: Your Horse’s Winter Wardrobe Essential

The Blanket Clip gets its name because it looks as if the horse is wearing a blanket of its own hair. It’s one of the most popular clips for horses in moderate work during the colder months. It removes hair from the areas that get hottest and sweatiest, like the belly, sides, neck and chest, and leaves a “blanket” of hair over the back and loins.

What Does a Blanket Clip Look Like?

A blanket clip looks like the pattern a stable blanket would leave. Imagine a horse wearing a stable blanket: the parts of the body the blanket covers, the back, rump and often the top of the neck, stay unclipped. The areas that are usually exposed or get very sweaty, such as the underside of the neck, chest, belly, flanks and sometimes the top parts of the legs, are clipped short.

Why Choose a Blanket Clip?

• Perfect Balance: It strikes a great balance between keeping the horse naturally warm and letting it cool down efficiently after exercise. The unclipped “blanket” area helps protect the kidneys and major back muscles from getting cold.
• Versatile: It suits a wide range of horses, from those doing light to moderate work, like hacking, schooling or light showjumping.
• Less Blanketing Hassle: A good portion of the horse’s natural hair is still there, so you might not need as many heavy blankets as with a full clip, or you can manage with slightly lighter ones. You’ll still need to blanket the horse to prevent it getting chilly.
• Aesthetics: Many people also find the blanket clip a very smart and tidy look for their horse.

When is the Best Time to Clip?

The best time to clip is early winter, and a few other timing points matter too:

• Early Winter: Most horses are first clipped in early winter, usually around October or November, when the full winter coat has grown in. That’s when the days start getting shorter and the coat becomes thickest.
• Re-Clipping: Depending on how fast your horse’s hair grows and how much work it does, you might need to re-clip every 3-6 weeks. Some horses need only one or two clips a season, while others need more frequent trims.
• Weather Watch: Always consider the weather. Clip on a mild day so your horse doesn’t get a sudden chill right after its “haircut.”

Getting Ready: Preparing for Your Blanket Clip

Good preparation makes the whole process smoother and safer and gives a much better result, because clipping isn’t something you can just jump into.

1. A Sparkling Clean Horse

A clean horse is probably the most important preparation step, because clippers work best on clean hair. Dirt, mud and grease dull your blades very quickly, which makes clipping harder, less effective and potentially uncomfortable for your horse. Think about cutting paper with dull scissors: it isn’t smooth. A clean coat lets the blades glide through easily and gives a neat finish.

Give your horse a thorough bath a day or two before clipping, and make sure it is completely dry before you start. Specialized shampoos get the coat super clean, so consider products like Reluxe Main & Tail Shampoo or Reluminate Shampoo for a deep clean. Repel Oil Shampoo can be very helpful for horses prone to oily coats. Remember to rinse thoroughly. For all your horse’s grooming needs, explore our Coat & Body Care collection.

2. Gathering Your Tools

You’ll need the right equipment for the job:

• Clippers: Invest in good quality clippers suitable for horse coats. You might need large clippers for body work and smaller, finer clippers for tricky areas like the head or around joints.
• Blades: Make sure your blades are sharp and clean, because dull blades pull at the hair and can be painful for the horse. A spare set is a good idea.
• Clipper Oil: You must oil your clippers frequently while clipping to keep them running smoothly and stop them overheating.
• Clipper Coolant Spray: It helps keep the blades cool, since they can get hot during use and burn your horse’s skin.
• Brush/Comb: Use one to brush off loose hair as you go.
• Towel/Rag: Use one to wipe down the blades.
• Chalk/Crayon: Use it to draw your clipping lines, which is especially important for a blanket clip.
• Extension Cord: If you need one, make sure it’s suitable for outdoor use and safely placed.
• Stable Blanket: Put it on your horse immediately after clipping.
• Treats: Rewarding good behavior is always a good idea.

3. Safety First: Horse and Human

• Quiet Environment: Choose a calm, well-lit, draft-free area where your horse feels relaxed.
• Horse Temperament: If your horse is new to clipping or a bit nervous, take your time. Introduce the clippers slowly and let the horse hear the sound and feel the vibration without any actual clipping first. Having someone hold the horse for you is sometimes a good idea.
• Secure Tie: Make sure your horse is tied safely, but not in a way that restricts its natural movement too much if it fidgets.
• Protective Gear: Wear sturdy shoes, and consider gloves and old clothes, because clipped hair gets everywhere.

4. Marking Your Lines for the Blanket Clip

Marked lines are crucial for a neat, even blanket clip. Use chalk or a special clipping crayon to draw the lines where you want the clip to stop, imagining where a stable blanket sits on your horse. Generally, the line runs from the point of the hip, along the flank, up towards the stifle, and then sweeps up over the belly to meet the line coming down from the neck/shoulder. Make sure both sides are symmetrical.

The Clipping Process: Step-by-Step for a Perfect Blanket Clip

Now that you’re prepared, it’s time to clip. Work slowly and methodically.

1. Start with the Body: Begin in the largest, easiest areas first, where your horse is least sensitive, like the shoulder or side of the neck. That lets the horse get used to the clippers.
2. Work Against the Hair Growth: Always clip against the direction the hair grows, which gives a clean, smooth finish. Clip with the hair and the result looks patchy and uneven.
3. Long, Overlapping Strokes: Use long, even, overlapping strokes. Each stroke should overlap the previous one slightly (about half a blade width) to avoid lines and create a seamless look.
4. Keep Blades Oiled and Cool: Stop every few minutes to oil your blades and check their temperature. If they’re hot, cool them with spray or swap to a fresh set of blades. Hot blades can cause clipper burn, which is uncomfortable for your horse.
5. Follow Your Chalk Lines: Clip carefully up to your marked lines, and take extra care around bony areas like the hips and shoulders.
6. Sensitive Areas:
   • Belly and Flanks: These areas can be ticklish, so be gentle and patient.
   • Legs: For a blanket clip, you typically clip the top part of the legs but leave the lower legs unclipped. Blend carefully. Many people prefer smaller clippers for the legs to get a neater finish and navigate around joints.
   • Head (Optional for Blanket Clip): A true blanket clip typically leaves the head unclipped. If your horse sweats a lot on its head, though, some people do a partial head clip (e.g., just under the jaw or behind the ears) with smaller clippers. If you choose to clip the head, be extremely careful and use small, quiet clippers.
7. Mane and Tail: Never clip these areas as part of a body clip. For beautiful manes and tails, check out our Mane & Tail Treatment products like Refresh Main & Tail Cream or Release Spray Conditioner.

Your first time can take a couple of hours, so don’t rush. Take breaks if your horse (or you) gets tired or stressed.

After the Clip: Care and Comfort

You’ve done it, and your horse has a fresh new look. The job isn’t quite finished yet, though.

1. Brush Off Loose Hair

Your horse will be covered in tiny, itchy loose hairs immediately after clipping, so give it a good brush all over to remove them. A soft dandy brush or even a damp cloth can work wonders.

2. Blanket Up!

Blanket your horse straight away, because it has just lost a significant portion of its natural insulation. It gets cold very quickly, especially if the weather is cool or it’s in a drafty barn, so put a stable blanket on right away. You’ll need to adjust the blanketing schedule based on the weather and the new coat, and it’s often better to start with a medium-weight blanket and adjust as needed. You can find excellent options for specialized care and protection, which includes many blanketing solutions, in our Specialized Care & Protection category.

3. Check for Irritation

Run your hands over the clipped areas to check for nicks, cuts or clipper burn. If you find any, clean them gently and apply a soothing cream. Our Repair Cream can be excellent for skin irritations, and keeping the skin healthy after clipping is important.

4. Skin Hydration

Clipping can sometimes dry out the skin. A gentle leave-in conditioner or spray helps keep the skin and remaining coat healthy. Products like Release Spray Conditioner can moisturize and condition the skin and coat.

5. Adjust Feeding

Your horse has less natural insulation now, so it might need a little extra energy to stay warm. Talk to your equine nutritionist or vet about whether to increase the feed slightly during the colder months after clipping.

Clipper Care: Keeping Your Tools in Top Shape

Good clippers are an investment, so take care of them.

• Clean Thoroughly: After each use, brush all the hair off the blades and the clipper body.
• Oil and Store: Oil your blades before putting them away, and store the clippers in their case in a dry place.
• Blade Sharpening: Blades get dull over time, even with proper oiling, so have them professionally sharpened regularly.

Common Clipping Questions and Troubleshooting

Even with the best preparation, you might hit a few bumps along the way. This quick table helps:

Final Thoughts on the Blanket Clip

The blanket clip is a fantastic choice for many horses, because it helps them stay comfortable, healthy and looking great throughout the cooler months. It’s a skill that improves with practice, so don’t be discouraged if your first attempt isn’t perfect. With careful preparation, the right tools and a patient approach, you can master the blanket clip and make sure your horse enjoys all the benefits it brings.

A well-clipped horse is often a happier horse, especially when it works hard and then relaxes in its stable. It’s all part of providing the best possible care for your equine friend. For all your horse care needs, from shampoos to specialized treatments, explore our full range of all products or visit our shop to discover more.