Can a Human Hair Clipper Be Used? Horse Shearing Video Explained!

Horses in our care often need regular hair clipping, right? But why exactly do we shear their hair, and when is the best time to do so? Also, is a human hair clipper suitable for horse shearing? In this article, we introduce a video that answers these questions!

Here’s the video we’re featuring!

Staff members Yuri and Yasu from Shamorock Riding Club run the channel ‘Shamorock Riding TV.’ Among many informative and entertaining videos, today we highlight ‘Try Horse Shearing!’

Many people might notice that the staff perform hair clipping, and the horse looks neat without realizing when it happened. Horse clubs or riding schools where many stable chores are delegated might have members who try shearing themselves.

Reasons and Timing for Horse Shearing

Let’s watch the video first! At the beginning, it briefly explains why hair clipping is necessary and the optimal timing for doing it.

The clip explains that hair shearing isn’t needed for wild horses, but it’s important because horses are exercising under human care even in winter. Usually, we shear when their coat gets fluffy, which makes sense now.

It also discusses precautions after shearing, so remember these tips when you do it yourself. Since shearing is typically done in winter to prevent colic by regulating body temperature, attention is needed to avoid overcooling.

Trying with a Human Hair Clipper!

This video’s highlight is attempting to shear horse hair using a human hair clipper. Since professional livestock clippers can cost around 80,000 yen, they are quite expensive.

Yasu, a staff member, uses his personal clipper (yes, really!) to shear the horse. It’s smaller than livestock clippers, but will it successfully shear without clogging or causing fuss?

If this works, men might even share a clipper with their horses… (laughs)

Getting Your Horse Used to the Clipper

Finally, it’s time to shear! The friendly horse named Dandy, familiar from shampoo videos, is shown trusting Yasu. The horse remains calm even with the clipper turned on, likely thanks to a good relationship.

However, not all horses stay calm like Dandy. Horses are sensitive to sound, so they must be familiarized with the noise of the clipper beforehand.

Yasu shows how to accustom horses to the sound by turning on the clipper and gently brushing or stroking them as usual. Explaining to the horse that no pain or discomfort will happen helps it relax.

Calming the horse is important for safety during shearing—if the horse moves suddenly, it can be dangerous or lead to injuries like kicks.

Are Human Clippers Quiet and Good?

Watching this video, I thought, “Maybe human clippers are quieter than livestock ones!” When turning on the clipper, I expected the horse to react nervously, but Dandy was just mildly alert.

However, livestock clippers are generally more powerful and have wider blades, so shearing may take longer with a human clipper. For horses averse to clipping, it’s a choice between quiet but lengthy shearing or loud but quick shearing—difficult decisions to make.

How Did It Turn Out…?

Fortunately, the clipper didn’t jam, and the shearing task was completed within the target area. How did Yasu’s effort and Yuri’s watchfulness turn out? Check out the full video for the detailed conclusion.

Interestingly, some might wonder if cheaper livestock clippers sold online are effective. On the Shamrock Riding TV channel, there is a follow-up video titled ‘Can a Under 10,000 Yen Clipper Really Work for Horse Shearing?’, demonstrating that even affordable livestock clippers can do the job. Be sure to watch that too!

Summary

How was the experience of shearing with a human clipper? This video not only shows the process but also covers the basics of horse shearing. Why not take this winter as an opportunity and try shearing your horse yourself?