The best horse trimmers are ideal for getting to the bits that even the best horse clippers can’t – they’re just what you need for finishing touches and quick tidy ups. Trimmers are all lightweight and easy to hold, which makes them great for manoeuvring into the trickier places. They’re also low noise and low vibration, which is really handy if you have a nervous horse or a horse that doesn’t like to be clipped, but also helps when you’re working around the head and ears.
Most of the best horse trimmers are battery powered, but there is a lot of variation between running and charging times. Some have a battery level or charge indicator, which is a handy feature to have. Most trimmers also offer a variety of cut length options and easy-to-change blades, but this is definitely worth checking before you make your final decision. Typically, the more features the handset has, the higher the price point.
Best trimmers: H&H’s quick guide
Best trimmers for blending: Wahl Admire
Best battery run time: Liveryman Nova
Best light weight trimmers: Clipperman Jewel
Best horse trimmers
Wahl Admire
Power source: Rechargeable Li-ion battery
Run time: 2 hours
Charge time: 1 hour 30 min
Handset length: 17.8cm
Grip diameter: 3.7cm
Weight: 275g
Warranty: 1 year
Reasons to buy
- Quiet
- Can be operated both cordless and corded
- Easy and quick blade removal
- Good for blending and details
Reasons to avoid
- Disposable blades
This quiet trimmer has a five-in-one adjustment blade system that offers a variety of cutting lengths (0.7mm-3mm). It also snaps on and off, which makes it easy to clean or dispose of. It’s perfect for detailing and blending around your horse’s face, bridle path and feathers.
This trimmers can be operated both cordless and corded for endless trimming, and it comes complete with a durable carry case, disposable blade, charging stand, brush and oil.
Liveryman Nova
Power source: Internal rechargeable Li-ion battery
Run time: 6 hours
Charge time: 3 hours
Handset length: 17cm
Grip diameter: 3.8cm
Weight: 218g
Warranty: 1 year
Reasons to buy
- Adjustable cutting height
- Ergonomic shape
- Range of blades available to purchase separately
Reasons to avoid
- Disposable blade
This Liveryman trimmer is perfect for show preparation, tidying-up or maintaining clip lines. The fully adjustable blade gives you an in-hand choice of cut height from 0.2mm to 2mm, while the two comb accessories allow for cutting lengths of between 3mm/6mm and 9mm/12mm.
It is quiet with low vibration and has a long run time that allows for multiple uses between charging. Comes with a disposable blade, four add-on comb attachments (3, 6, 9 and 12mm), charging lead, brush and oil.
Clipperman Jewel
Power source: Internal rechargeable Li-ion battery
Run time: up to 5 hours
Charge time: 3-5 hours
Handset length: 18cm
Grip diameter: 3.6cm
Weight: 200g
Warranty: 2 years
Reasons to buy
- Long run time
- Digital display showing battery life
Reasons to avoid
- Charge time might not suit everyone’s needs
This 3.7v dual-speed battery-powered trimmer from Clipperman is comparable to 12w of mains power. It has a great run time of five hours and a digital display that shows you either how much time you have left or how much longer you need to charge for.
It is very lightweight and has an F5 snap-on blade connection with detachable two-in-one ceramic cutter and titanium coated comb, so it lasts longer than traditional metal. It offers four cut lengths as well as four additional plastic graders.
Perfect for trimming your horse’s legs, face and hard to reach areas. The pack contains one rechargeable battery, an F5 blade, plastic blade combs (3, 6, 9 and 12mm), charger, oil, brush and instruction manual.
Masterclip Showmate II
Power source: Rechargeable Li-ion battery
Run time: 3 hours
Charge time: 3 hours
Handset length: 18.5cm
Grip diameter: 12cm
Weight: 260g
Warranty: 2 years
Reasons to buy
- Two speed motor
- Quiet
Reasons to avoid
- If you are looking for something to work on a high density coat
Available in silver, pink or blue, this pocket-sized clipper from Masterclip is perfect for all year round show prep, including trimming around the face, under the gullet, around the ears, fetlocks, heels and all other areas that are hard to reach or sensitive. It comes in a smart carry case and includes four comb guards (3mm, 6mm, 9mm and 12mm), while the main blade has five cutting depths to choose from.
The blades have been designed for ease of use, so they are self-tensioning and quick releasing, and the remaining usage time is conveniently shown on the digital display.
Heiniger Style Midi
Power source: Internal rechargeable Li-ion battery
Run time: 1 hour 40 min
Charge time: 1 hour
Handset length: 17cm
Grip diameter: 4.5cm
Weight: 240g
Warranty: 2 years
Reasons to buy
- Battery or mains operated
- Adjustable and detachable blade head
Reasons to avoid
- Short running time if battery operated
The adjustable and foldable shearing head ensures a continuous adjustment of the cutting length, from 0.5 to 2.5 mm. The product is delivered together with 5 snap-on combs (4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 mm). This trimmer may be connected at any time to a 230V mains supply and used as a mains powered trimmer.
Clipster Delox
Power source: Rechargeable Li-ion battery
Run time: Up to 5 hours
Charge time: 5 hours
Handset length: 18cm
Grip diameter: 12cm
Weight: 241g
Warranty: 1 year
Reasons to buy
- Three cutting speeds
- Good run time
Reasons to avoid
- Long charge time
This Clipster trimmer is designed for detailed clipping with a useful LED light to help with accuracy. It offers three cutting speeds and excellent clipping properties thanks to the stainless steel clipping head, which adjusts to five different cutting lengths. It has a high-quality, long-lasting motor and a powerful battery that gives a good run time.
Pocket Sized Trimmers
If you are looking for a compact, pocket-sized trimmer for trimming awkward areas, especially round your horses head and ears and those fiddly finishing touches to details – or you just want to keep your horse neat and tidy between his clips – I’ve got a couple of ideal tools for the job.
Liveryman Robin
Power source: Internal rechargeable Li-ion battery
Run time: 45 minutes
Charge time: 3 hours
Weight: 150g
Warranty: 1 year
Reasons to buy
- Compact and lightweight
- Waterproof
- Quiet
- Rechargeable
Reasons to avoid
- Short run time of 45 minutes
These Liveryman Robin trimmers are a compact, pocket-sized, waterproof trimmer for precision and convenience. Perfect for use at home or shows, they fit comfortably in your hand, making it ideal for trimming delicate or awkward areas such as around the head and ears and even the heels of fine-coated horses. Its quiet operation with low vibrations makes it a reliable choice for nervous horses.
Wahl Pocket Pro
Power source: AA battery
Weight: 90g
Warranty: 2 years
Reasons to buy
- Soft-touch grip for better control
- Small enough to fit in your pocket
- Ideal for everyday trimming requirements
- Quiet
- Operates on a single AA battery
Reasons to avoid
- Run time will vary depending on the quality of battery used
This is the lightest of the two pocket-sized trimmers I’ve featured in this guide. It is designed for precision and ease of use, particularly in hard-to-reach areas such as bridlepaths, above the eyes and under the horses jaw. Its compact, ergonomic design and soft-touch grip offer excellent control, while its small size makes it easy to conceal for nervous horses.
What is the difference between clippers and trimmers?
Horse clippers are powerful tools designed to run for longer periods of time effortlessly and remove the bulk of your horse’s body hair, while trimmers are much lighter and smaller than clippers, and are designed for precision work/tidying up delicate areas, such as the face, ears or jawline.
Trimmers are not designed for prolonged use but can be handy for blending or tidying up your lines for a show-ready finish.
When choosing between the two you need to consider your needs. For full or partial clips opt for a clipper, but for precision and detailed work a trimmer will work best. For nervous horses or if you’re regularly clipping feather, opt for a compact clipper like the Heiniger Opal Horse.
For many horse owners, they find the best combination is to have both a clipper and trimmer. By using both, they compliment each other and make the process more comfortable for both horse and owner.
Can you clip a horse with trimmers?
While some trimmers may be able to cope with tidying up a very fine coat, they are not designed to cope with a full clip and you will be much more successful with a set of clippers. Trimmers are best saved for trickier areas, such as bridle paths, blending around the face or tidying up feathers.
You might also like:
Best horse clippers for taming every type of winter coat
How to pull a horse’s mane: your complete guide
How to clip a horse: a video masterclass
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