How and Why to Clip Your Horse’s Wound

 

Regarding wound care, no other creature on the planet will give you as much practice as your horse. Because they can. It’s common for mystery wounds and cuts to appear seemingly out of nowhere. Our job? Take care of them! To do that, you must clip your horse’s wound.

 

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A cleaned and clipped wound has several benefits 

 

  • You can see things much better. This helps you determine if it might be a puncture or what is going on in there. Punctures can be super serious, so call the vet if you have any questions about a wound!

 

  • You can also flush and clean the wound safely without hair all over the place.

 

saline from IV bag to clean a horse leg wound

The cleaning begins.

 

  • You can apply the appropriate medicine, ointments, and topicals much better after you have clipped a wound.

 

  • You can monitor for proud flesh more easily.

 

clippers cleaning a hock sore

This previously clipped ouchie is getting a touch-up before more meds are applied. I prefer to use ointments to keep things moist and flexible. But I still leave it up to the vet to give me the best action plan.

 

A few tips about clipping a wound.

 

  • Use razor-sharp and clean blades! A #40 blade is best, this leaves the least amount of hair. Some fancy 5 in 1 blades go from a #9 to a #40, so you are covered there.

 

  • Cover the wound with some ointment or KY and gauze. This helps to keep clipped hairs from sticking in the wound. All ointments and stuck hairs can then easily be flushed away.

 

new wound on horse lower leg

This (yet) unclipped wound has hairs poking around the edges of the wound.

 

  • Start a few centimeters or so away from the wound edges. Work inward towards the wound. It doesn’t matter if you go with or against the hair. Going with the hair at first will get most of the hair shortened, then you can do some final clean-up by going against the hair growth if needed.

 

When it’s all tidy, you have more info to determine what to do next. Super easy!

 

 

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Shop here for clippers and first aid supplies for your horse.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, which are zero extra charge to you. I can’t thank you enough for your support!  You can also visit my Amazon storefront here:  PEG storefront.

Horse Measuring Tape
$5.95

Use coupon code 15PROEQUINE to save!

Vetericyn Plus Wound Dressing Gel for Animals, 8 oz
$27.99

Reliable wound gel from trusted horse peeps at Vetricyn.

04/28/2026 06:02 am GMT
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Magic Cushion Hoof Packing 4LBS
$56.19

The gold standard for stinging hooves and anytime you need to pack the hooves.

04/28/2026 07:06 am GMT
EasyCare Easyboot Cloud Hoof Boot
$103.00

Support and softness for laminitis and other painful hoof conditions.

04/28/2026 09:01 am GMT
Johnson & Johnson B07J56J4HG Elastikon Elastic Tape, 4" x 5 Yards, Pack of 6
$85.74

This medical tape will quite literally hold your life together, it's that amazing.

04/27/2026 10:01 pm GMT
Vetericyn Plus All Animal Wound Care Hydrogel Spray | Healing Aid and Wound Protectant, Sprayable Gel to Relieve Dog, Cat, Horse Itchy Skin
$35.99

Vetricyn's classic wound cleaner boosted up with a GEL formula! Perfect for defying gravity while caring for your horse's latest mystery ouchie.

04/28/2026 06:02 am GMT
Finish Line Horse Products Fura Free Gel (1 lb)
$19.51

This salve is an alternative to Fura-Zone!

04/28/2026 06:06 pm GMT
Cavallo Horse & Rider Sport Regular Sole Hoof Boot
$192.10

These boots are my favorite for wrapping hooves with poultice or clay and a diaper. No more duct tape boots! You can also use inserts with these for more squish.

04/28/2026 07:05 am GMT
EquiFit Silver Individual Pack Horse, Black
$42.00

These SilverSox are great for protecting the legs from rubs, help with scratches and mud fever, and provide some compression, too.


04/28/2026 05:05 am GMT
Whinny Wellies from Sox For Horses

Tough, weather-resistant covering for wraps and bandaging.

Magic Gel Horse Ice Pack with Carry Case - Twin Ice Boots | Cooling Horse Leg Wraps
$59.99

Take the heat out, reduce inflammation, help prevent long-term damage, and dress your horse in cute colors after a ride.

04/28/2026 06:02 am GMT

WAHL Arco Horse Cordless Trimmer

Use code LIV for savings at wahlpro.com


  • Cordless 5-in-1 clipper for precise finishing work on horses
  • Adjustable blade (#9, #10, #15, #30, #40) for flexible trimming
  • Lightweight design for easy control and less hand fatigue
  • Dual batteries with quick swap for extended grooming time
  • Quiet, low-vibration motor for sensitive horses
  • Ideal for bridle path, face, ears, muzzle, and fetlocks


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WAHL Professional Animal Bravura 2 Trimmers


Use code LIV for savings at wahlpro.com


  • 2-speed motor (6000 & 8000 RPMs)
  • 4-hour cordless runtime + corded option
  • 5-in-1 Diamond Pro blade stays cool and sharp
  • Textured housing for comfortable control
  • Travel lock for safe transport
  • LED screen with speed, battery, and maintenance info



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WAHL Professional Animal Motiva 2 Cordless Trimmers


Use code LIV for savings at wahlpro.com


  • Powerful motor glides through coats
  • Textured grip for better control
  • Up to 3 hours cordless + corded option
  • Digital display with battery + maintenance alerts
  • Travel lock for safe transport


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Wahl Professional Animal KMC+ 2-Speed Cordless Clippers


Use code LIV for savings at wahlpro.com


  • Upgraded brushless motor (3,700 & 4,500 RPMs)
  • Textured housing for secure, comfortable grip
  • Constant Speed Control powers through thick or matted coats
  • Corded + cordless use with quick-charge battery
  • Up to 2 hours cordless runtime


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WAHL Professional Animal KM10+ Corded Clippers


Use code LIV for savings at wahlpro.com


  • #10 Prime Series German high-carbon steel blade for durability
  • LOCKGUARD tech prevents hinge closure for easy blade changes
  • Lightweight, slip-resistant design for better control
  • Constant Speed Control powers through all coat types


Wahl Stable Grip Clippers


Use code LIV for savings at wahlpro.com


  • Powerful, quiet motor with 7,200 SPM and reduced heat
  • Adjustable cutting lengths (#30, #15, #10) for versatile clipping
  • Lightweight design for controlled grooming and finish work
  • Ideal for fetlocks, bridle path, face, ears, and detailing
  • Includes adjustable blade, blade oil, and cleaning brush



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WAHL Professional Animal Pro Ion Equine Cordless Horse Clipper and Grooming Kit


Use code LIV for savings at wahlpro.com


  • Powerful motor up to 6,000 SPM with cool, quiet performance
  • Up to 2 hours cordless runtime with Lithium Ion battery
  • Quick-adjust blade (#10, #15, #30) for flexible cutting lengths
  • 15-minute quick charge gives ~10 minutes of extra use
  • Ergonomic design for comfort and control during grooming


Lister Eclipse Cordless Clipper
$499.99

These wildly powerful shears are great for thick coats, and when I say thick, I mean it.

04/28/2026 06:06 am GMT
WAHL Clipper Blade Oil

Use code LIV for savings at wahlpro.com!


  • Keeps blades lubricated for cooler, smoother cutting
  • Helps blades stay sharper for longer use
  • Recommended after each use for best performance and longevity


WAHL Clini-Clip Blade Disinfectant and Cleaner Spray


Use code LIV for savings at wahlpro.com


  • 2-minute hospital-grade disinfectant for fast, effective cleaning
  • Kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi on contact
  • EPA-certified formula for trusted disinfection
  • Safe for grooming tools and workstation surfaces


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04/28/2026 01:01 am GMT
WAHL Competition Series Detachable Blades


Choose your size and use code LIV for savings at wahlpro.com!

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WAHL Prime Series #10W Detachable Blade


Use code LIV for savings at wahlpro.com

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
WAHL 5-in-1 Pro Adjustable Clipper Blade


Use code LIV for savings at wahlpro.com


  • Glide-through cutting for smooth, efficient clipping on all coat types
  • Easy detachment and adjustment (#9, #10, #15, #30 & #43)
  • Always cool-running blade set for consistent performance
  • Ideal for bridle path, ears, muzzle, fetlocks, and finish work on horses


We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Wahl Velocity Corded Horse Clippers

Use code LIV for savings at wahlpro.com


  • Powers through all coat types with 3 high-speed settings
  • #10 Prime Series German high-carbon steel blade for durability
  • LOCKGUARD technology prevents hinge closure for easy blade changes
  • Replaceable drive tip system for quick, simple maintenance
  • Rubberized no-slip grip for comfort and full control
  • Lightweight design built for all-day grooming use


We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
04/28/2026 04:00 pm GMT
04/28/2026 06:08 pm GMT
Wahl KM Supera Clipper with #10 Wide Blade

Use code LIV at wahlpro.com for savings!


  • Includes #10 wide Prime blade
  • LOCKGUARD technology for secure blade hold
  • Two speeds (3,000 & 3,700 RPMs)
  • Two lithium-ion batteries, up to 3 hours each
  • Wide blade version of the KM Supera


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