The Horse Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

Clipping help! Please!

3K views 13 replies 13 participants last post by  waresbear 
#1 ·
I just bought a horse from my trainer in June. But I literally have no idea how to trim/ clip and make him look really nice. She's clipping him today, and I'm going to watch her, but any tips? Even little things like feather clipping I need help on! Plus, I need to buy a pair of clippers..what's best?
 
#2 ·
:)You'll learn a lot from watching your Trainer body clip - I had to teach myself when one of my geldings was diagnosed with Cushing's Disease a couple of years ago. I made some 'mistakes' the first time and met with some difficult areas to properly trim but I just took my time and it all worked out. Now I do a pretty respectible job, even if I do say so myself!
I had been borrowing Oster Clipmaster clippers from a friend - they do a SUPER job but were a bit high priced for my budget. I ended up getting Andis AGC 2 - they are much easier to handle - actually the size of normal clippers. They came with a T-84 Ultra Edge blade and it made easy work out of body clipping! For me, they were easier to navigate in those hard to reach places, too. Plus, they came with an instructional body clipping VIDEO which teaches all the tricks of the trade! It even went into how to properly use and clean the clippers. I REALLY like the Andis AGC 2 - I wasn't sure they would stand up to body clipping but I was pleasantly surprised! Good luck on your search - there is SO much out there to choose from! The Andis AGC 2's suit my needs perfectly but I only have to body clip my guy about twice a year - your choice will have to fit your needs. The Oster Clipmaster clippers did an awesome job - my friend has used them for years. If they had not been too expensive for me at the time, I would most likely have bought myself the Clipmasters. However, I am not at all disappointed with my Andis AGC 2's and can highly recommend them!
 
#6 ·
:)You'll learn a lot from watching your Trainer body clip - I had to teach myself when one of my geldings was diagnosed with Cushing's Disease a couple of years ago. I made some 'mistakes' the first time and met with some difficult areas to properly trim but I just took my time and it all worked out. Now I do a pretty respectible job, even if I do say so myself!
I had been borrowing Oster Clipmaster clippers from a friend - they do a SUPER job but were a bit high priced for my budget. I ended up getting Andis AGC 2 - they are much easier to handle - actually the size of normal clippers. They came with a T-84 Ultra Edge blade and it made easy work out of body clipping! For me, they were easier to navigate in those hard to reach places, too. Plus, they came with an instructional body clipping VIDEO which teaches all the tricks of the trade! It even went into how to properly use and clean the clippers. I REALLY like the Andis AGC 2 - I wasn't sure they would stand up to body clipping but I was pleasantly surprised! Good luck on your search - there is SO much out there to choose from! The Andis AGC 2's suit my needs perfectly but I only have to body clip my guy about twice a year - your choice will have to fit your needs. The Oster Clipmaster clippers did an awesome job - my friend has used them for years. If they had not been too expensive for me at the time, I would most likely have bought myself the Clipmasters. However, I am not at all disappointed with my Andis AGC 2's and can highly recommend them!
Wow, I had exactly the same situation!! Used a friend's osters on a horse I leased for the winter to trace clip him, and for my birthday that year, I got a pair of the andis with the T-84 blades. I too like them very much, and I find that they fit better in my very small hands.
 
#3 ·
It takes a lot of practice, especially the fetlocks. The main thing to remember is never trim in a hurry....take your time. If you are crunched for time, leave it to a day that you can clip at your leisure. Most mistakes are made because you are too hurried. Also...I suggest braiding or putting your horse's tail up before working on hind so it doesn't get in your way or accidentally get a chunk out.

If you are doing a body clip, give your horse some breaks...even take him for a walk to stretch out a bit now and then. This will help keep him from getting fidgety on you.
 
#5 ·
go with the grain when clipping legs etc - else you can end up with a "Stepped" look...

just try keep even strokes with clean clippers - and make sure they are sharp... when they clip ask if you can have a go... its really not too hard - you will get the hang of it pretty quick
 
#9 ·
That's a must. One day I was body clipping my mini, and wasn't paying attention to the heat of the blades, and next thing I knew, the poor guy had a big bleeding cut, from the blade just slicing right through. I learned the hard way to remember to give your blades a break to cool down often.

I use the Andis as well, and really love them!!
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#11 ·

:shock: OMG! :rofl::rofl::rofl: Bwaa, haa, haa, haa!!!!!!:rofl::rofl::rofl:
That picture is just WAY too hysterical, thank you Allison Finch I really needed a good hard belly laugh!

Okay, back on topic...
I also find that starting with a clean as possible horse helps as well, does not dull your blades as quickly.
Oh, and if you can clip about 2 weeks before you are going to show, that gives time for the hair to "blend".

Good luck and let us know how it goes for you! :wink:


 
#13 ·
I use a wahl adjustable clippers. Its really reasonably priced but works great and saves you money on extra blades in different sizes. Biggest thing i can recommend is make sure hes clean and make sure you have the right size blade on. Theres nothing worse than using a short blade on legs accidently. Whoops!!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top