| Not everyone needs to clip their horse, and if you don't | | | | muddy conditions, these hairs can help carry the water |
| enter a show ring very often clipping and trimming may | | | | away from the heels, where it can lead to sores and |
| not seem very important. But most horses look better | | | | infections. But these hairs can actually cause problems. |
| - and even feel better - with a little tidying up around | | | | If your horse has a lot of hair, or 'feathers', these can |
| the edges, especially in the winter months. Trimming | | | | get matted with ice and mud, and if they never get to |
| around your horse's face and legs will not only make | | | | dry out water can still get trapped around the sensitive |
| him look good, it can make keeping him healthy and | | | | areas of the heel. |
| comfortable a lot easier. A good set of trimmers in | | | | If you are showing, or your horse is stabled, you can |
| your horse grooming supplies makes this job easy to | | | | clip these hairs off. This is one of the most effective |
| do. | | | | techniques to make any horse look neater! But if you |
| Why trim the face? | | | | do, you need to be sure to clean and dry your horse's |
| We're not talking about a show ring presentation here, | | | | heels regularly. If you want to tidy up your horse, but |
| where you trim around the eyes and ears. What we're | | | | leave some protection, you can take away the long |
| looking at is trimming around your horse's jaw and | | | | hairs at the back of the cannon, and just leave a small |
| muzzle for comfort as well as looks. The long hairs | | | | tuft at the fetlock. This leaves a small channel to carry |
| under your horse's chin can easily get caught in halter | | | | the water away from the heel, but allows you to easily |
| and bridle straps, and most riders can recall catching | | | | wash and dry the area, and prevents mud and ice |
| the muzzle hairs more than once when fitting a bit or a | | | | from becoming packed into the hairs. |
| curb chain. | | | | Choosing an everyday trimmer |
| These hairs do serve a purpose. The muzzle hairs | | | | Every owner of a working horse should consider |
| help your horse find small bits of food, and the long | | | | having a good set of horse trimmers in their horse |
| jaw hairs draw water away from the face in rain and | | | | grooming supplies for trimming the face and legs. For |
| snow. Even so, if you horse has work to do, you can | | | | all horse owners, a good set of trimmers is useful - |
| trim these back for comfort and appearance, without | | | | they are invaluable in the first aid kit for cleaning up |
| losing the natural benefits. Most horses today won't | | | | wounds or tidying up areas under bandages. So even |
| need the hairs under their jaw, because they aren't | | | | if you aren't showing, an investment in a good quality |
| exposed to long periods in wet weather. And for | | | | set of trimmers is a wise one. Here's some good |
| those that are, you can be sure that no horse | | | | choices: |
| appreciates the muddy icicles that can form under their | | | | - Wahl horse clippers. The Wahl Pro Rechargeable is |
| chin if those hairs are left untrimmed. You can safely | | | | an economical and versatile cordless trimmer. Fully |
| trim back the jaw hairs underneath the jaw, making it | | | | charged, it will last for 40 minutes, enough to get |
| easier to fit your bridle, and your horse more | | | | around the face and legs. The blades are an easy |
| comfortable without any pinched hairs. Leaving the | | | | pop-off design, making replacement simple. Best of all, |
| hairs longer at the side of the face will carry water | | | | the low price means you can keep a kit in several sets |
| away, but if it's dry, you are showing, or your horse is | | | | of horse grooming supplies, or a spare in your first aid |
| stabled, you can shorten these up too. | | | | kit. |
| The hairs on the muzzle are a little more important, but | | | | - Oster horse clippers. The Oster Whisper Quiet |
| again, most horses don't use them as much as their | | | | Trimmer is ideal for nervous horses. It gives a neat |
| wild counterparts. You horse most likely is well fed, on | | | | finish, there's a good choice of blades available, and if |
| good pasture, and doesn't have to forage for feed. | | | | your horse is likely to fidget when you are trimming |
| That said, unless your show ring requires you to, don't | | | | around its face or legs, then this is a great choice. |
| clip these hairs completely away. Trimming them back | | | | However, if you need to get through thick leg feathers |
| to about half an inch gives your horse the information | | | | or matted hair, you'll need something more robust. |
| he needs to sift for tiny grains or the best grass, but | | | | - Andis horse clippers. The Andis Ruby clippers give |
| keeps these sensitive hairs out of the way of the bit | | | | you the option of corded or cordless operation. Use |
| and bridle. | | | | the cord for quiet horses, or if you have a lot of |
| Why trim the feet? | | | | horses to do and don't want to wait for recharging. But |
| There's two parts to trimming the feet and legs - | | | | if your horse is nervous, you don't have easy access |
| around the coronary band at the top of the hoof, and | | | | to an electrical socket, or want to take it with you to |
| clipping the long hairs at the back of the leg. Trimming | | | | shows, then go cordless. It's light, and comes with |
| around the coronary band isn't just for appearance, | | | | several comb attachments so it's ideal if you are |
| although it will make the hoof look rounder and neater. | | | | moving form precise trims to more general areas. |
| If you use any hoof preparations, keeping these hairs | | | | Choosing clippers from Wahl, Oster, or Andis is wise. |
| trimmed will keep them from getting dirty with hoof oils | | | | These major supplies or horse clippers will provide you |
| and creams, and also help you make sure you get | | | | with a good warranty, a safe product, and |
| these treatments right up to the top of the hoof where | | | | replacement blades will be easy to get. Most of these |
| it grows and where it is needed most. | | | | suppliers offer a choice of attachments and blades so |
| Clipping the back of the leg is more sensitive. Again, if | | | | you can make sure you have the right tools for each |
| your horse lives out, or spends a lot of time in wet | | | | job in your horse grooming supplies. |