Tips for clipping

[fleabitten]

We are planning on clipping murphy ourselves in the next few weeks when the weather cools - Ms owner had suggested a blanket clip so he stays cool but his back will be warmer (will keep half a head and legs no matter what) www.newrider.com/Starting_Out/The_Horse/Blanket_clip.gif

Any tips on getting the lines good on a blanket clip? Ive never clipped but Ms owner says she will help although says her lines arent very good which is why she normally just does a hunter clip lol!

I had initially thought of a chaser/irish with half a head demandware.edgesuite.net/aatb_prd/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-hrzeu-Library/default/dwcfbdd274/irish-clip-400x319.jpg as lines would be more straightforward im imagining!

but he might still be too sweaty for that one

maybe trace? as youre getting round his back legs as well www.horsegroomingsupplies.com/horse-forums/attachments/horse-grooming/7603d1097253400-trace-clipping-a-horse-trace-clip.jpg

he wintered out with a hunter clip and a thick rug the first year i rode him and he didnt buck or be silly with his bum cold

[haffyfan]

When i was younger a lot of people did a variation on the chaser and took the line from withers to just behind girth rather than leaving part of neck. Seemed to work well for lots of people, Sunny use to have a highish blanket taken up the sides of his bum too as he always got sweaty around his back legs. I use to leave his whole head on but would def opt for half face over clipping around eyes etc.

[zara]

When i clip AJ I draw a line from his ears to his stifle which seems to do the job and it doesn't take too long!

[brigadier]

I just wing it! Years ago tried doing lines and you never keep to them so now just go for it. Just done Toudle's neck, but he hates the clippers and no amount of training with them has helped so its just a case of get twitch on and go like the clappers so we get it over with. Ive done a neck and chest clip, which is ideal for start of hairy season.

[fleabitten]

I like your style brig!!

[racaille]

The first time the T clipped R he threw such a tantrum that the clippers ended up embedded in her jumper. She embarked on a programme of desensitisation (plus many many carrots) and now he is completely zen about it.

He currently has (and will probably never have again as there is no point ) a variation on a chaser clip (I wrongly thought it was a trace clip but your links put me right) with a half head rather than full. He gets immensely sweaty but this seems to be the best way of dealing with it while leaving his back warm as he goes naked during the day.

[pboy]

I went for a chaser clip on Indio, though he has most of the head hair still on (just his beard taken off, he grows loads of long white hairs under his cheek and jawbone otherwise!) - it's probably similar to Zara's. I like it as it keeps his back and bum covered, he only tends to sweat on his neck and under the girth in winter anyway.

[jane]

For a blanket you can hang a lead rope over the withers to give a good guide for the vertical line- for the rest of it - wing it (like Brig said) - no one sees both sides at the same time - haha

[meandmyconnie]

Print off a picture of what you think is a good blanket clip and blow it up to A4.

Next (using a ruler if you wish but with the folds etc.probably not best) using chalk draw the outline of the clip (legs and all ) onto your horse going back to your template 24/7 (you can not use a template but as it its your first time) and continue drawing. You can always rub out chalk and start again

Hope this helped but remember to cut just below the chalk line otherwise your pony will have unattractive lines over him xx