Factors to Consider When Buying Horse Clippers – If you’re looking to turn your horse into a showstopper, you’ll need the right pair of clippers designed specifically for your horse. Clipping is a way of keeping your horse comfortable during the colder months of the year, as drying off a sweaty horse with a thick coat, may prove taxing.

Factors to Consider When Buying Horse Clippers

Horse clippers are a large investment. However, if you choose the right one, they can last you for many years to come.

As such, it’s vital that you pick the most suitable pair of quality horse clippers for you and your horses.

In this guide, we will explore five essential factors you must remember when buying a pair of horse clippers.

  1. The Horse

Your horse’s size and the amount of hair that you plan on removing will help you pick the right pair of clippers for you. If you wish to clip a small pony once in a while, it cannot compare to clipping a racehorse that you expect to compete throughout the year.

What about your horse’s personality? Personality is a very important factor to consider when purchasing your clippers. If your horse is young or skittish, you should select a quiet model with limited vibration. In general, it’s recommended that you go for a wireless pair, to avoid entanglement due to any sudden movements. If your horse is mature and calm, you could easily choose more powerful horse clippers.

Another factor to keep in mind is the condition of your horse’s hair. Long hair caked in dirt, mud or grease may require a more powerful model to clip through it. As a rule of thumb, the thicker the coat, the more powerful your device should be.

  1. Power 

Horse clippers are normally split into three main categories – light duty, medium duty and heavy duty. Alongside clippers, there are also trimmers for tidying up whiskers and such.

You mustn’t get too caught up with watt ratings or type of motor. As these can be misleading, you need to look into the category assigned to your clippers.

Light Duty

‘Light duty’ clippers are for people with 1 or 2 short-haired horses. They are light and quiet and available as cordless or corded devices.

Medium Duty

‘Medium duty’ clippers are for individuals with between 1 to 5 horses. These devices are more powerful and durable compared to light-duty clippers. While a little larger, they are still quiet and easy to manage for most horse owners. They are also available as cordless or corded devices.

Heavy Duty

‘Heavy duty’ horse clippers are for when there are many horses to clip or for horses with difficult and coarse hair. They are tougher, larger and louder clippers with higher vibration. Generally, professionals choose this kind of clipper to get their intended results.

  1. Battery Vs Mains

If you do not have electricity in your yard, then you should choose battery-powered rechargeable clippers. Currently, many companies offer cordless or battery-operated clippers that are just as effective as those powered by mains.

Battery-powered horse clippers are easy to use and more flexible due to the lack of cords. They are also quieter and good for clipping nervous horses.

While the advantages of battery-operated clippers are clear, they are a little expensive and you will need to replace the batteries from time to time. Moreover, you will also need to remember to recharge your batteries in advance.

In comparison, some of the most powerful clippers require mains instead of batteries. These types of clippers are not only cheaper, but you no longer need to worry about your battery dying. However, you have to ensure your horse steers clear of the cable. If they were to step on it, you would need to purchase a new one.

  1. Price

As far as expenses go, battery-operated horse clippers are the most expensive and as the power level increases, so does the price. Aside from what type of clipper you prefer, you should also research a brand’s reliability and customer reviews to understand the quality of their clippers.

If the manufacturing destination of a brand is vague, it’s best that you steer clear of their clippers. To avoid any tensioning or motor issues, you have to choose quality clippers which accomplish your goals, but do not exceed your budget.

  1. Appearance

It’s not common to select your horse clippers based on looks. However, if you are looking for visual appeal as well, some brands offer clippers in a variety of different colours and sizes.

Furthermore, to maintain the appearance of your clippers, you should always use proper clipper oil instead of the “3 in 1” variety. Quality clipper oil provides enough lubrication without getting too sticky and causing more issues.

Additionally, you need to clean your device thoroughly after every use and follow any maintenance guidelines given by the manufacturer. This allows your clippers to last longer and stay in the best condition.

To Wrap Up

Selecting the right horse clippers is fundamental if you want to properly care for your horse. Your horse’s well-being, the productivity of work and the condition of their hair all depend on this small decision.

That’s why, when selecting your clippers, you need to focus on your horse’s personality, their unique needs, the amount of hair you will clip as well as how often you plan to use the clipper.

Once you have the answer to these questions, you can achieve quality results and have your horse looking sleek and fabulous.

Expert Advice by Angus

Angus is a retail expert and product specialist with a sharp eye for detail and a talent for spotting "hidden gem" brands. As the lead voice for GoShoppingZone, he cuts through the marketing noise to provide honest, data-backed recommendations that help shoppers spend smarter, not harder. Whether it’s an in-depth buyer's guide or a seasonal trend report, Angus’s goal is to ensure every purchase is a win for the consumer.