Choosing the right horse clip can be confusing when you’re new to clipping. From a simple bib clip, to a complete full clip, each style removes a different amount of your horse’s coat.
The most common types of horse clips include the bib clip, trace clip, blanket clip, chaser clip, hunter clip and full clip. The main difference between them is how much hair is removed and where the clipped areas sit on the horse.
In this beginner friendly guide, we’ll show you what each type of horse clip looks like, so you can easily understand the differences between them.
The Bib Clip
The bib clip is one of the simplest horse clips and can be a good introduction to clipping. Hair is removed from underneath the horse’s neck and chest, while the rest of the coat is left untouched.
What does a bib clip look like?
From the side, you’ll see a relatively small clipped area underneath the neck and across the chest. The horse’s body, back and legs remain unclipped.
Because very little hair is removed, the bib clip gives the horse a fairly natural appearance.
- Amount clipped: Small
- Main areas: Chest and lower neck
- Appearance: Mostly natural coat
- Good to know: One of the simplest clips
The Trace Clip
The trace clip is one of the most popular types of horse clip and is a great option for horses that are doing regular work during the colder months. Hair is removed from the lower part of the neck, chest, belly and underside of the horse.
What does a trace clip look like?
From the side, you’ll see a clear clipped line running along the lower part of the horse’s body.
The upper neck, back and topline are left hairy helping the horse retain some of it’s natural protection from the colder weather.
- Amount clipped: Moderate
- Main area: Lower neck, chest, belly and sides
- Appearance: Higher clipped line
- Good to know: Leaves the topline covered
The Chaser Clip
The chaser clip removes more of the coat while leaving hair along the horse’s topline. The lower neck, chest, belly and sides are clipped, while a strip of longer hair remains along the top of the neck and back.
What does a chaser clip look like?
The most obvious feature is the longer strip of the hair along the topline contrasting with the clipped areas underneath.
- Amount clipped: Extensive
- Main areas: Lower neck, chest, shoulder, belly and sides
- Appearance: Clipped body with hair retained along the topline
- Good to know: More coat is removed than a trace clip
The Blanket Clip
The blanket clip is named because the hair left over the horse’s back and hindquarters resembles a blanket. The neck, chest, belly and sides are clipped, while the back and quarters retain their longer coat.
What does a blanket clip look like?
From the side, the unclipped hair over the horse’s back and hindquarters creates a distinctive blanket-shaped area.
- Amount clipped: Moderate to extensive
- Main areas: Neck, chest, belly and sides
- Appearance: Longer hair remains over the back and hindquarters
- Good to know: Easy to recognise by it’s “blanket” shape
The Hunter Clip
The hunter clip removes a large amount of the horse’s coat, making it a popular choice for horses doing regular or hard work during the colder months. The body is clipped, including the neck, belly and chest, while hair is usually left on the legs and an area over the horse’s back and kidneys. The may also be clipped, depending on the style and the horse.
What does a hunter clip look like?
From the side, a hunter clip gives the horse a smart, streamlined appearance. Most of the body is clipped but the legs retain their natural hair and a saddle-shaped area of coat is left over the back.
- Amount clipped: Extensive
- Main areas: Most of the body and neck
- Appearance: Clipped body with hair retained along the back in a saddle shape
- Good to know: More coat is removed than with a trace clip
The Full Clip
A full clip removes most or all of the horse’s coat, depending on how the clip is done. The body and neck are clipped and the head and legs may also be clipped.
What does a full clip look like?
The horse has a sleek, short-haired appearance across almost the entire body, with very little of the natural coat remaining.
Because a full clip removes a significant amount of natural insulation, careful management is particularly important afterwards.
- Amount clipped: Extensive
- Main areas: Most of the body and neck
- Appearance: Sleek, short coat
- Good to know: Removes the most winter coat
Ready for Winter?
Horse clipping doesn’t have to be complicated.
Once you know the different types of horse clips and what they look like, it’s much easier to understand the options available.
Whether your horse needs a simple bib clip, a trace clip, a blanket or chase clip, or a more extensive full clip, the important thing is choosing an approach that suits your individual horse and their winter routine.
So, before you get the clippers out this autumn, take a look at the different styles, think about your horse’s workload and make a plan for keeping them comfortable once that winter coat comes off.
