How to Trace Clip a Horse?

There are a few steps to take when trace clipping a horse. First, it is important to understand why you are trace clipping. This will help you determine which areas of the horse to clip. For example, if you are trace clipping for a showing, you will want to make sure that you do not clip any areas that will be visible in the ring. If you are trace clipping for ther purposes, such as to help the horse cool down after exercise, you can be more liberal in your clipping.

Once you have determined which areas to clip, you will need to gather your supplies. You will need a set of clippers, blade, and guard, as well as a sweat scraper and a bucket of water. It is also helpful to have a set of grooming supplies handy, such as a brush and a comb.

When you are ready to start clipping, make sure that the horse is standing still and that you have a good grip on the clippers. Be careful not to clip too close to the horse's skin - you should only clip the hair, not the skin. Work your way around the horse, being careful to only clip the hair in the areas that you have determined.

Once you have finished clipping, use the sweat scraper to remove any excess hair from the horse's coat. Finally, give the horse a good grooming to remove any loose hair and to restore the coat's natural luster.

There are a few different ways that you can hold a horse while clipping, and the method you use will often depend on the horse's size, temperament, and the type of clip you are doing. If you are doing a light trim or touch-up, you can often just hold the horse's halter and lead rope and stand at the horse's head. If you are doing a more extensive clip, you may need to tie the horse up in order to have both hands free to work. When clipping around the head and face, it is often easiest to have someone hold the horse's head while you work. This allows you to have more control and prevents the horse from moving its head around too much. If you are clipping the whole body, you may need to tie the horse up in cross-ties, a standing stall, or in astocks in order to have both hands free and to prevent the horse from moving too much.

When clipping, it is important to be safe and to avoid getting kicked or knocked down. Always be aware of where the horse's feet are and be sure to keep your own feet out of the way. If the horse does start to move around too much, you can try to calm it by speaking in a soft, reassuring voice and stroke its neck or face. It is also important to keep your hands and arms away from the horse's mouth and teeth. If the horse does happen to nip at you, move your hand away quickly and don't pull away, as this could hurt the horse's teeth.

Assuming you would like a detailed answer:

First you will want to Have all your materials ready and in one area so you aren’t running around looking for things. You will need: A brush, A curry comb, A hoof pick, A sweat scraper, A clean towel, A clean bucket or two of water (one for rinsing and one for washing), A mild soap (dish soap is fine), A sponge. You might also want: A coat conditioner, Hoof oil, A fly spray.

Start by using the brush to remove the majority of the loose hair. Be sure to go against the grain to loosen the hair and get a good brush through the coat. Next use the curry comb in a circular motion all over the horse’s body. This will help loosen any remaining dirt and hair and also help stimulate the natural oils in the skin.

Once you have curry combed the entire horse, use the hoof pick to clean out each hoof. Start at the toe and work your way around, picking up any stones or debris that may be stuck in the hoof.

Next use the sweat scraper to remove any sweat and water from the horse’s coat. This is especially important if you are clipping the horse as you don’t want any wet hair on the clipped areas.

Once the horse is relatively dry, you can start washing them with the mild soap and water. Use the sponge to work the soap into a lather and then massage it into the horse’s coat. Be sure to avoid the eyes, nose, and mouth. Once the horse is lathered up, rinse them off with the clean water.

If you are using a conditioner, apply it now and work it into the coat. This will help to detangle the hair and make brushing easier.

Finally, use the brush to brush the coat and remove any remaining dirt or hair. Pay special attention to the clipped areas to make sure they are clean and free of hair.

If you are using hoof oil or fly spray, apply them now.

Your horse should now be clean and ready to be clipped.