There are three types of horse clippers to choose from: body clippers, which are designed for body clipping; trimmers, which are for touch-ups and areas like the face and ears; and multi-purpose clippers, which are designed to be versatile and clip multiple areas.
When it comes to clippers, having the right tool is almost as important as knowing how to use it. With all of the options available, choosing the best horse clippers for your situation can seem daunting, but we’re here to help! Here, we’ll walk you through the different types of clippers and what features to consider when you’re trying to choose the right ones.
There are three general types of clippers: body clippers, trimmers, and multi-purpose clippers. Body clippers are designed to clip your horse’s body, and they have specific blades that match them. Trimmers are made for light-duty areas like your horse’s face, ears, and muzzle. Lastly, multi-purpose clippers can be used for multiple areas of the body, and often feature removable blades so that you can choose the blade that will best suit your clipping needs.
Once you’ve decided between body clippers, trimmers, and multi-purpose clippers, there are a few key features that you can use to narrow down your options further: noise level, weight, and the type of cord. If you’re concerned that your horse will be sensitive to the noise of clippers, look for a clipper that features a quiet motor. You’ll also want to consider how much clipping you’re going to be doing. If you’re clipping a barn full of shaggy horses, you’ll want heavy-duty clippers that can stand up to the job. If you’re only doing a trace clip on one horse, you can get away with a light-duty clipper. Finally, you’ll want to decide whether you need your clippers to be cordless or not.
Choosing the Best Horse Clipper Blades
Body clippers have specific blades to match each individual clipper, but trimmers and multi-purpose blades share common sizing specifications. The lower the blade number, the longer the hair left will be, so you’ll choose your blade number based on how short you want the hair to be.
Here are the most common sizes, and what they’re most commonly used for:
| Blade Number | Hair Length | Best For |
| T-84 | 3/32″ long | Body |
| #10 Blade | 1/16″ long | Legs and body |
| #15 Blade | 3/64″ long | Bridle Path |
| #30 Blade | 1/50″ long | Ears or muzzle (if you don’t like the “naked” look of a #40 blade) |
| #40 Blade | 1/100″ long | Anywhere you want the closest possible clip, like the ears or muzzle (these blades are often used for surgical prep) |
Caring For Your Blades
It’s important to take proper care of your blades. To ensure that they stay cool and running smoothly, keep them clean and well oiled. You also want to have them sharpened regularly. Dull blades catch the hair and tug on the skin, which isn’t fun for your horse. You can send them out to be sharpened professionally, search for a local sharpener (many knife sharpeners will take clipper blades), or get a kit to use at home.
Courtesy of SmartPak
