clipping advice

[fleabitten]

Ok so murphy has spent the last couple of months living out and getting very hairy - polar bear style!

Will probably get him clipped before christmas, maybe wait a few weeks to make sure hes going well first, will let owner take the lead - owner has her own clippers and did him herself last year (hunter clip for handiness) but says i can do him this year and she can guide me.

Going to try and get him as clean as possible with regular brushing before we get the clippers out but id say it'll probably take a few blades anyway with the thickness of it!

Im just thinking about types of clip and whilst a hunter clip would be easier to do first time clipping probably im wondering would another type of clip be more appropriate- suppose im worrying about him getting cold lol! but he was out rugged with hunter clip until january last year and didnt seem to bother him working with a full clip either - he didnt seem cold. Last winter work wise we were hacking schooling and odd lesson at home and just starting to do a few competitions. He never got sweaty with that clip last year. Probably by this stage being grey he might need a hunter clip for cleanliness sake! haha This winter he will just be hacking till the new year and then rest of winter will hopefully be riding club, lessons and shows time permitting!

If i go for a blanket or trace or chaser (probably the easiest one in that list) how do you mark out the lines on a grey horse with a v long coat?! ive heard that if you use a bit of twine or something to mark out so its the same height on each side but just wondering how to draw the actual line if needs be? i think charcoal or chalk might not come off onto a long coat?

Even if i go for a hunter clip - any tips on getting the lines right on the legs and head - not too bothered about saddle patch, might be pushing it a bit to do a curved line lol!

Any other tips appreciated!

[haffyfan]

Flea best tip i can give you is don't stress about the lines! Remember no one see's both sides at once...

If you want to use chalk you could use coloured kiddies chalk, that would show on him. I think the hardest bit 9if your horse is good) is getting use to the feel of them, and the vibration, once your use to that the lines are really not as hard as you would think. You can always take more off if a chaser isn't enough but you can't put it back on lol. I use to enjoy clipping Sunny and Khara, playinga round with patterns etc, which would always go wrong then a full clip became necessary.

Best tip is ear overalls or anything hair won't stick to as it gets everywhere and it bloody itches like crazy!

[fleabitten]

Thanks haffy - i reckon it will maybe be a case of seeing how it goes - thats a good point about the lines! I think hes really good with clipping which will make it a lot easier!

[dannyboy]

Sorry Flea, I've no idea on what to suggest but thought I'd just steal your thread, lol.

I just bought a new pair of clippers - Huntmaster - with the intention of giving it a go myself this year as it was pretty costly getting it done last year for 3 horses. As you know I'm not riding at the moment and CJ isn't getting much work, only when I can get a friend to ride and that's only been twice in the last 7 weeks. Should I still clip him or leave him be? Casper is in light work and I was thinking of a bib clip. Do you think that's ok and is it difficult to do?

[fleabitten]

I'd probably just leave the clipping on cj for now until he's back riding regularly. It will save time and clipper blades! Do you rug him at the minute?

Think a small clip would prob be a good idea for Casper. www.yourhorse.co.uk/Improve-your-riding/Search-Results/Grooming-and-Care/Clipping-Advice/Clipping-Advice---The-Irish-clip/ this is quite a good one as you just do a diagonal line from sheath to jaw (or ear if you want to do a half head)
Or you could do this one which wouldnt show up wobbly lines as much www.yourhorse.co.uk/Improve-your-riding/Search-Results/Grooming-and-Care/Clipping-Advice/Clipping-Advice---The-Belly-and-Gullet-Clip/

Can't really advise on difficulty as I've never clipped before myself! I would do a bit of reading on clipping and get some tips. Or get a friend out to help you that knows what theyre doing. ( not me lol!!) Suppose the main thing is that the coat is clean the blades are sharp and would prob be useful to cross tie him. You could start with the minimal clip and see how you get on sure!

[dannyboy]

Thanks Flea - will give that a wee try.

[brigadier]

I think a good clip for a horse that works a little but not often is where you unzip them. Its simply a area from the throat down to between the legs and the belly off, so all the areas prone to sweating are off and they are easier to keep clean too. Like Haffy I dont stress about lines, just work to eye and it usually works out. One set of blades should do several horses Flea- not the other way round. If you groom regularly then it should come off easy no matter how long.

[brigadier]

oh- and remember the difference between a good and bad clip is two weeks!