Can You Clip a Wet Horse?

YES! You can clip a wet horse. But – this is not ideal for so many reasons, and may cost you in the long run. Let your horse dry before you start to clip.

Jump to video and shopping

What happens when you clip a wet horse

A few things happen to your horse’s coat and clipper blades during a wet clip. Wet hair gets easily stuck in the teeth of your clipper blades, much more than when you clip a dry horse.

Clipping while wet is not comfortable for your horse. The clogged-up clipper blades will tug at your horse’s skin, and make it harder for you to maintain an even pressure and angle.

Your end results will look like you clipped while blindfolded using rusty spoons. When the hair tugs at your horse, the resulting clip is choppy, uneven, and full of lines and gouges.

Your clipper blades

Wet hair in your clipper blades also slows the motor down. Your clippers will work harder to cut, and the blades and motor will become hot.

You will also find that wet clipping makes you stop more often to clean out the blades and re-apply coolant and oil. Perhaps you need to restock on coolant and oil more frequently!

When cutting wet hair, your clipper blades also get dull, and any residual moisture is the perfect storm for rust to invade.

Clipper blades get dull and gummed up when clipping wet hair.

Your clipper body

If you have ever taken apart your clippers, you know that they collect tiny bits of dust and hair. Water could also find it’s way into your clipper body, creating damage, rust, and shorting out components.

Is clipping a wet horse an electrical hazard? Probably! I’m no electrician but I wouldn’t want to risk it.

Your horse’s body clip will be more polished when you clip a clean and dry coat.

Clip a clean and dry horse, instead

The most gorgeous clip will also be the fastest when you start with a clean and dry horse using sharp clipper blades. Guaranteed!

Think of dirt, dust, and dander on your horse as clipper blade obstacles. The teeth cut through the dirt to get to the hair and, in doing so, get damaged and dull.

You can help your clippers even more when you treat your clean horse’s coat to some conditioning.

Grooming oils can be sprayed, brushed, sponged, or toweled on your horse to help your clippers glide. You could also use a sheen product, but many are loaded with excess alcohol which can dry the coat and skin.

You could also condition your horse after shampooing if you like, although this does take some time to rinse fully.

Help your horse dry in preparation for clipping

Part of the challenge with horses after a bath is to help them dry without rolling, which they will do at the drop of a hat.

Don’t skimp on sweat scraping. Repeat the sweat scraping process as your horse dries, especially around the belly, as water will collect there. Thanks, gravity.

Get in on the drying process with clean towels. As if you were waxing your car, a buffing with terry towels will help dry your horse. For extra fuzzy horses, leave the hair messy to get more air into the coat.

Let nature and coolers dry your horse.

Use nature to dry your horse. A slight breeze and some sunshine will speed up the drying process.

Coolers are wonderful at wicking moisture from the coat. You could even layer coolers in chilly weather, and take them off as they get damp.

Solariums are another option, and provide some warmth to a grooming area.

Once your horse is dry, clipping is a breeze.

Click these links to shop for coolers and horse clipping supplies. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, which are not a penny more for you. I couldn’t be more grateful for your support!

Coolers with necks are great for cold weather