The horse world has a lot of old wives' tales and myths about horses and grooming - and horse clipping is no exception. Let's tackle some common horse clipping myths and dispel some rumors.
Myth: Horses don't need clipping at all
This myth is *mostly* true! Some horses don't need clipping at all.
A horse's hair coat is ruled by the number of daylight hours. As fall and winter roll around, daylight hours reduce. Your horse's brain registers this reduction in light and sheds the summer coat, and begins growing the winter coat.
The same happens in spring; as the daylight hours increase, your horse will start to shed his winter coat and grow a sleek summer coat. In between big sheds, a horse's coat releases hairs and replaces them - it's an almost invisible cycle that continues year-round.
Genetics also influence the horse's hair cycle. Horses bred to live in cold environments will still grow their genetically programmed long winter coats even if they live in warm weather. Along those same lines, hot-blooded horses bred for the heat will produce a winter coat in cold climates, but its thickness won't change.
When a horse's coat doesn't match the weather, clipping is warranted to keep comfortable and reduce sweaty coats, which may turn into rain rot or other skin infections. A horse that exercises enough in winter to create a thick sweat may also benefit from clipping. Some horses with metabolic disorders and longer coats benefit from a clip to keep cool in the summer. Not every horse falls into one of these categories, though.
Myth: Clipping will ruin a horse's coat
Clipping is a haircut - and nothing more. Hair grows from the follicles deep in the skin, and clippers are simply taking a little off the top, as they say.
Our hair doesn't change how it grows after a haircut, and your horse's hair won't either. You may notice a slight color change to your horse's coat after a haircut, but this eventually evens out. The clipped horse will also completely shed out eventually, replaced by a brand new hair coat in the spring and fall. Clipping will not create hair that grows back thicker, either.
There are cases in which a horse's coat loses quality. When clipping combines with parasites, a lack of grooming, disease, or skin infections, a horse's coat will lose shine and may feel dry and brittle.
Myth: Don't clip a shedding horse
It's an excellent idea to clip a shedding horse if needed. In many cases, doing so provides comfort if the coat is too thick for the temperatures.
This myth often goes hand in hand with saying that clipping ruins a coat, as the new summer coat is already coming in. Shedding and growing is a long process, often over several weeks or longer. New summer hair may shorten when clipped, but things will even out.
This concept is similar to a horse that needs clipping for a wound or medical procedure. You don't need to wait until the next shed for the hair to smooth out and grow back. You will often see progress a few days after clipping.
Myth: You must follow a traditional clipping pattern
If you are going into the show ring or competition circuit, you may want your horse to sport a clip that represents the discipline. If you are clipping to keep your horse comfortable, it's best to focus on the sweaty parts of your horse and pick a design that fits those areas.
You may find that a traditional trace clip or hunter clip works, or you just put some racing stripes on your horse. Body clipping and trace clipping styles are unique to each horse.
Myth: Clipper coolant is the same as clipper oil
It's always a good idea to stop every five minutes while clipping. You can brush off any accumulated hair and use coolant. Spray cans of coolant remove some of the smaller bits of hair, and cool off any warm clippers. The spray also evaporates quickly, so any lubrication is gone. Follow up with clipper oil to provide long-lasting protection for the blades. The clipper oil will also reduce any tugging of the blades against your horse's skin. Always add clipper oil before storing blades to help reduce rusting.
Because horses are such unique individuals, it's essential to ignore said myths and do what's best for your horse, his coat, and his environment. Clip your horse for health and comfort, not for looks.
