[kennaphoenix]

I am clipping my horse tomorrow, and I have only clipped a horse once before which was a full body clip, so this will be my first time following a pattern as I plan to do an Irish clip. I am so, so nervous!!! A lot more nervous than I expected to be. I am going to chalk out my lines first, and measure to make things decently similar on each side, but I am still so frightened! My horse is pretty calm so I'm not worried that much about him, just about my own abilities. Can anyone give me some last minute advice to help me feel a bit better?

 

[Dehda01]

Everything you are clipping off will grow back. Clipper marks are reduced after a few weeks growth, and you can always reclip if you need to.

Clipping is not rocket science. Start with a clean horse and sharp blades. Show shee if you can and use kool-lube liberally! If the blades feel hot to you, switch to another blade. (Which shouldn't be needed if you start with a clean horse and sharp blades and are only doing a irish clip). Overlap slightly. You will be fine.

I love clipping horses- they always look so much finer afterwards- like you are discovering a fine painting under a piece of burlap.
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[Foxhunter]

Just remember, no one can see both sides of the horse at the sme time!

I hate clipping, I have just down so many over the years and it is a dirty itchy job.
Yes is is better for a horse in hard work during the winter and does make them look better.

When doing your lines turn the clippers on their side to get a good clean line,

I would never show sheen before clipping as it makes the coat to slippery.

 

[Dehda01]

I find a clean show sheened horse clips better and seemed to help the blades. I could tel the difference between a horse that had been show sheened to one that hadn't. I used to body clip 25-30 horses year and keep them maintained throughout the winter. I also like to hot oil them afterwards, but I don't bother if I am only doing a Irish or trace clip.

 

[Foxhunter]

When I was in racing I was the only one clipping, 85 horses all hunter clipped at least three times during the season. Technically that worked out at 17 horses a week!
I earned the reputation of being very good with difficult horses and my trainer would send me out to do other horses for her trainer friends.

A lot of days I put the clippers on at 7a.m. And turned them off at 7p.m. Got fed up with eating hair sandwiches!

 

[ducky123]

How many horses would you clip before the blades had to be replaced/sharpened?

 

[Dehda01]

It really depends on how clean the horse, and how diligent you are with lubricating blades. I typically could go 1-3 horse BODIES with a single set of clip master blades. I use A5 small blades for the head and legs. Which are also harder to get clean. I have had terrible times that required me to use three small blades for a horse, or can go multiple horses with them. It depends on Murphy's law and many other factors.

 

[Dehda01]

Yes, horse hair sandwiches are awful! Never clip with a fleece jacket.... Expect to have to shower immediately after you are done. I have heard about clipping wet horses to prevent the hair poofs, but haven't been brave enough to do it.

 

[Foxhunter]

How many horses would you clip before the blades had to be replaced/sharpened?

A lot depends on the cleanliness of the horse, the thickness of the coat, and the make of blades.

I have done 14-18 horses full clip with one set of Hauptner blades. These horses were clean and not overly heavy coats.

I do agree with keeping the machine well oiled. I use WD40 to flush the hair out between the blades and always on the small clippers as I have found the ordinary oil can clog them.

Another thing about blades is having the tension correct, to tight and they will over heat and to loose they won't clip.