Buying clippers for your horse – pick the right set!

 

The style of clipper you choose largely depends on your preference for body clipping and trimming – but a few things to consider as you choose between cordless or corded clippers for your horse.  Buying clippers for your horse doesn’t have to get too complicated.

 

jump to videos and shopping

 

 

body clipper and whisker trimmers

Go for both.

Things to think about when you are shopping for horse clippers.

 

 

How does your horse feel about snakes? I mean cords?

 

  • Hoses and cords can elicit a huge fear response in horses, and thus can make the whole clipping process horrible for everyone. Cordless is the way to go.

 

Is there an outlet near the crossties?

 

  • There usually is, but I can’t speak for every barn in the entire world. Clipping is best done where your horse is comfortable, like the cross ties, and not where there’s an outlet, like the bathroom or inside the tool shed or wherever the outlet may be. Cordless may be better here.

 

Do you love to trip on stuff? Go cordless if you don’t.

 

  • How forgetful are you? I love to have clippers as part of the vet kit in case you need to do some wound cleaning, but I rarely remember to check the charge on the clippers. So – I have a corded pair for these very reasons.

 

clipper box features

Look for features that can benefit your horse – like low vibration. Also, look for features that benefit you, like being lightweight.

 

Some other things to consider when picking the best clippers for your horse:

 

  • Battery life of cordless clippers! If you routinely clip a few horses a day, your battery life may leave you with a horse that’s half show ring ready and half yak. Go corded. Some cordless clippers come with a charging stand and an extra battery, so you can charge one as you are clipping.

 

  • Power! Corded clippers are typically stronger and more powerful, and for the really thick-haired beasts out there, you need all the power you can get. Go corded.

 

  • Size. For body clipping, you may find that the cordless model is a little bigger to handle, keeping hte power source inside adds weight. Go corded if this bugs you. BUT…. smaller clippers for little areas exist, so you may want to go cordless for specialty clippers. For technical areas like fetlocks, faces, and legs, the size of your clipper may dictate what you pick – in that case, you have a slew of corded and cordless choices.

 

colorful horse clippers

Lots of color options, too!

 

What’s the best clipper for your horse’s coat AND the style of body clip?

 

  • For thick coats, heavy-coated breeds like the Fjords, and any horse that’s extra hair because of Cushing’s disease, you want the power of shears.  These heavy-duty clippers make light work of dense hair coats. 

 

  • For most horses, a body clipper will do fine for all full-body clips and any trimming that you may need.  You can also use body clippers for tidying up wounds, ears, and lower legs.

 

  • Opt for lightweight trimmers if you never plan on body clipping, although some horses would take that as a challenge to prove us wrong!  Trimmers are great for ears, wounds, lower legs, making designs, and clipping around tight areas like elbows and the mane. 

 

lister star blades and tension knob

The shears could eat that other blade!  Shears make quick work of thick hair coats. 

 

Read the Complete Guide to Horse Clipping

Read Horse Clipping for Beginners

 

How to pick the best set of clippers for your horse.

Do you need corded or cordless?

Horse clipping 101 – from clippers to clipped!

 

go shopping button for horse products

You can click these links if you want to shop for horse supplies easily. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, which are not a penny more for you. I couldn’t be more grateful for your support!  You can also visit my Amazon storefront here:  PEG storefront.

Thank you!