Hunter and full clips

By the Horse Clipping Equipment team · Checked 2026-10-25

A hunter clip retains coat on the legs and a saddle patch. A full clip removes substantially more coat, including the legs. Discuss head and ear coverage separately. These options require a clear reason and a dependable care routine.

Workload is only part of the choice

The FEI discusses hunter clips for light or medium work, while Petplan describes them for heavy work. We do not assign fixed hours or a competition level to a pattern. Ask what problem a larger clip would solve and whether a partial clip already manages it.

Specialist areas

Legs, face and ears require careful handling and may be better left alone. An intended full clip is not a reason to continue when a horse cannot cope. Leave sensory whiskers alone and ask your vet about skin concerns.

Aftercare first

Arrange shelter, suitable rugs and checks before removing the coat. Discuss exercise-sheet use and cooling down with an experienced person. Compare a blanket clip if retaining back coverage better suits your arrangements.