Do you want to clip your own horse but not sure where to begin? Don’t fret! Mel Hitchcock of Mel’s Equestrian Services is here to help! Mel put together a video to show you her technique and get you started. Watch how She does it here and read below for some of our tips. Have fun!
Clipping can be a little tricky even for seasoned pros, but with the right tools and some patience – anyone can do it! Some things to keep in mind:
1. Always start with a clean horse.
Nothing ruins your clipper blades and your clip job quicker than a dirty horse. The grime clogs up and dulls your blades, resulting in lines and unevenness. Wash and wax that cute pone before getting started, just make sure he or she is dry when you start. Pre-clip spray also helps your blade run through a thick coat like butter.
2. Have the right tools on hand!
Mel is using our favorite Lister Star Clippers in this video and you can see what quick work they make of Freya’s pretty coat. Other things to keep in your kit; an extra blade or backup clippers (or both), clipper blade oil, kool lube, a dandy brush, a towel and an extension cord. Find our favorites here: https://www.centerlinestyle.com/clipping/
3. Keep your blades cool.
Blades can get heated as you work so we recommend spraying with cooling spray periodically throughout your clip. Also clean the head of excess hair if needed to keep it running cool. If you touch your blade to your hand and it’s hot, it’s also hot on your horse’s skin. I like to have a second smaller clipper ready to do sensitive areas if I need to wait a minute or two for my blades to cool mid clip. Powerful clippers like the Lister Star will work quickly enough that you shouldn’t have to cool mid-clip but some of the smaller less powerful (and quieter) units might need nap breaks.
4. Don’t fret.
Realized you missed a spot once you put your horse away? Don’t sweat it, you can always touch up. Left some lines? It’s ok! You’ll get better each time. You’re not grooming at Aachen, this is a safe space!
5. Pay attention to your horse
If you’ve never clipped your horse before, turn on the clippers or something that vibrates to see how they react. Some horses need some desensitizing. Others will always need a lil’ cocktail pre-clipping (I’m looking at you, Fritz). And if your horse is sensitive in certain areas, be tactful while you work. Happy ponies = safe clipping. One tip to watch out for your first time, keep your wrist straight so you don’t angle your blades into your horse’s skin.
6. Clean up afterwards.
The obvious – be a good barn mate and scoop up your pile of fuzz when you’re done. And also – clean your blades after every clip to extend their life. I clean the clipper head and oil my blades each time out. They keep going time and again and are always ready when I need them.
Have fun and share your before and after with us! Thanks so much to Mel for the video, visit her and book services here: https://m.facebook.com/melsequestrianservices/
WordPress started in 2003 with a single bit of code to enhance the typography of everyday writing and with fewer users than you can count on your fingers and toes. Since then it has grown to be the largest self-hosted blogging tool in the world, used on millions of sites and seen by tens of millions of people every day.