1625 version 5

Page 1 of 3

Clip a horse

Level / 3
Credits / 3

PurposePeople credited with this unit standard are able to: prepare the clippers and equipment; prepare the horse for clipping; clip the horse; dismantle and clean clippers and attachments, and store for next use; and demonstrate knowledge of hogging the mane.

Subfield / Equine
Domain / Equine Care
Status / Registered
Status date / 18 July 2008
Date version published / 18 July 2008
Planned review date / 31 December 2013
Entry information / Open.
Accreditation / Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and industry.
Standard setting body (SSB) / Primary Industry Training Organisation
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference / 0018

This AMAP can be accessed at

Special notes

1Legislation relevant to this unit standard includes but is not limited to the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, and its subsequent amendments.

2An assistant may be required to calm the horse when excessive movement prevents an even clip.

3For this unit standard the practical assessment evidence must be provided in the context of a commercial business operation under normal working conditions.

4Stable procedures are the documented practices and polices required within a particular workplace, and do not contravene the Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Horses (Wellington: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, 1993), available at

Elements and performance criteria

Element 1

Prepare the clippers and equipment.

Performance criteria

1.1Sharp blades are attached to clippers according to manufacturer’s instructions, and clippers are safely connected to power source using isolating device.

1.2Marked holes in head are oiled to ensure efficient working action of blades.

1.3Spare blades are stored in a degreasing agent to ensure future efficient working action.

Element 2

Prepare the horse for clipping.

Performance criteria

2.1A clip is chosen for the horse according to activity and aesthetic appeal.

Rangeblanket, trace, hunter, belly, full.

2.2It is ensured that the horse is dry and brushed to remove obvious signs of mud and sweat ready for clipping.

Element 3

Clip the horse.

Performance criteria

3.1The clip is marked out on the horse ensuring that both sides are level.

3.2Machine is adjusted according to manufacturer’s instructions.

3.3The horse is clipped against the hair without causing undue stress to the horse.

3.4Blades are cleaned, oiled and changed frequently to maintain an even cut.

3.5A soft brush is used on the blades to keep the air filter clear according to manufacturer’s instructions.

3.6Additional protection is provided after clipping to maintain the horse’s body warmth.

Element 4

Dismantle and clean clippers and attachments and store for next use.

Performance criteria

4.1Blades are removed from clippers, cleaned in a degreasing agent, and wrapped in oily cloth to maintain them in optimum condition.

4.2Clippers and accessories are stored in accordance with stable procedures.

Element 5

Demonstrate knowledge of hogging the mane.

Performance criteria

5.1Description identifies the importance of the horse’s neck position in order to stretch wrinkles in the crest for clipping.

5.2Description identifies the sequence of movements to avoid cutting into the coat, and to leave a tidy meeting point at the centre of the clipped mane.

5.3Description identifies the method of clipping the forelock while avoiding injury to the horse.

Please note

Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.

Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.

Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.

Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.

Comments on this unit standard

Please contact the Primary Industry Training Organisation if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.

 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018