Fairfield Clipping and Show Presentation
Frequently Asked Questions
Clipping helps you and your horse to manage their winter coat! Clipping means that your horse will feel cooler when worked, and also means that you can sponge off your horse after riding without having to wait for a thick and heavy coat to dry in the cold. It also means you can avoid stripping out the winter coat by hand come shedding season. There are many styles of clip to suit your work, sweat, and rugging needs.
​
Did you know it is the reduction in daylight hours that tell a horse to grow a winter coat, not the weather? This means that between the start of clipping season (around Easter) to the Winter Solstice horses are growing a winter coat.
Clipping before the solstice may mean you need to clip again during the season, some people will opt for a working clip earlier in the season, and a show clip later in the season (this can also be advantageous if you don't like you horse's clipped coat colour as it gives the hair some time to grow back.)
Clipping around the time of the solstice means your clip will usually last the season without needing to re-clip. This may be a good option if you can manage your horse's winter coat up until then.
Clipping late in the season, before the winter coat begins to heavily shed means you can avoid having to strip out the winter coat by hand.
When exactly to clip your horse in relation to these factors depends on their work load, how much they are sweating, the management of coat you can keep up with, etc.
​
What Style Should I Clip?
We can help you to choose - have a think about where your horse gets hot, sweats, your rugging routine, and the type of riding you're doing.
Usually for pony club and adult riding competitions you can choose any clip, for higher level showing Hunter and Full clips are the go to.
You can have a look on our Clipping Styles page for some ideas.
​
Will I Have To Rug My Clipped Horse More?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Generally the less hair that your chosen clipping style removes, the less rug changes you will need to make, but here are some things to consider.
​
If your horse usually runs hot under rugs, they may not need any rug changes for a minimal clip. Some horses will not need any rugging if they have a style like an irish clip and usually run hot.
If your horse usually runs cold under rugs, they will likely appreciate some more warmth.
​
If your clipping style clips over the area above the horse's kidneys, they will need some additional warmth, and some protection on most days over winter. Where clips that keep the horse's natural coat over the back and kidneys can have more nude days throughout the season.
When clipping over the back, it is recommended to add a layer for the coat taken away. Woolen rugs are a great choice as they are natural fibre and breathable, a doona, or an increase in fill of their over rug. Keep in mind polar fleece is synthetic and usually very warm and less breathable on warmer days.
​
What Are Your Wellness Clips?
Our wellness clips are usually for older horses, horses with skin conditions, horses with cushings, etc. Clipping helps these horses be more comfortable, and give better access to the skin for treatment if required.
Our most popular style for wellness clips is a hunter clip - which we offer at a slight discount as the blades we use for our wellness clips don't achieve that perfect competition finish.
​
We can also offer wellness clips for lice cases, but there is a small surcharge to account for the immediate extra washing of all clothing and equipment post appointment.
​
How Do I Prepare For A Clip?
Before a clip horses need to be squeaky clean! We have some tips on our Before Your Clip Page about how to get your horse clean with brushing and a good bath.
​
You can also play some clipper noises on your phone from youtube and move around your horse with the sounds to see how they react, and get them more comfortable ahead of time.
​
Do You Clip Horses Who Are Nervous?
We sure do. Outside of clipping we also break in and train horses professionally, so we are happy to work with your horse to get them feeling as comfortable as possible.
For nervous horses we usually recommend starting in a smaller clipping style, and seeing how they feel about the whole clipping process. This way you aren't left with a funny half-done larger clip if the horse has had enough.
​
There are also some things you can do to help settle your horse, such as playing some clipper noises on your phone from youtube and moving this around the horse to get them used to the sound, having feed available, and reassuring them thoughout their clips. We can also give additional breaks for them if they are needing, or break the clip into two appointments.
​
Do You Clip Colts and Stallions?
We are happy to clip colts and stallions, provided just like all of our clipping clients they are sensible and we;;-handled. We are stallion and colt owners ourselves.