Definition: Clipping can be done to tails, manes or hair coat. Bridle paths may be clipped, tails shaved at the top, or the hair coat shaved if it is heavy and the horse takes a long time to dry out after work. Clipped horses should be blanketed during cooler weather since they won’t have the protection of their thick coat.
Clipping may also mean a horse hit's its own fetlocks or pasterns as it travels. This may cause small lesions that may range from nicks in the hair, to bleeding cuts caused by the hooves. Many horses clip because of their conformation and little can be done about this beyond wearing protective gear. Overgrown hooves and shoes, or lack of muscle condition may also cause clipping, especially if the horse is young.
