At what point did you buy your own clippers?

I bought mine in 1987 when I first had a pony that was clipped regularly. Heiniger clippers, quite heavy to use but still going strong 30 years later. I only use them a couple of times a year now but glad I bought them as they have paid for themselves many times over.
 
I used to pay for someone to clip my horse, but also had to pay for vet to sedate.

Then I bought some Masterclip Royale clippers for £99 they're really trimmers but take a full width pair of blades and are ok (if slow) to clip a TB type fine coat. They've got two speeds and are nice and quiet. With patience my horse is now fine with clipping - just as well as he now has Cushings!

I've since invested in another set - this time Masterclip V-Series clippers, and they're fantastic - variable speed and very powerful.

I'm sure this doesn't apply to you OP but it never ceases to amaze me when people continually ask to borrow my clippers - I don't lend my new set - but never return them properly cleaned and when I suggest they might like to contribute to re-sharpening the blades, look at me aghast and as though I've lost the plot!!
 
chaps89 said:
As title really!
Fatty needs clipping pretty regularly in summer (once a month if it's hot) and I've been borrowing different friends clippers or paying people to do it. I'm wondering if it's now time to invest in my own pair, but then it's hardly like they'll be used more than a handful of times a year so not sure if it is actually worth it?
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Buy your own clippers or pay someone to clip. Stop blagging off friends.
 
Northern Hare said:
I used to pay for someone to clip my horse, but also had to pay for vet to sedate.

Then I bought some Masterclip Royale clippers for £99 they're really trimmers but take a full width pair of blades and are ok (if slow) to clip a TB type fine coat. They've got two speeds and are nice and quiet. With patience my horse is now fine with clipping - just as well as he now has Cushings!

I've since invested in another set - this time Masterclip V-Series clippers, and they're fantastic - variable speed and very powerful.

I'm sure this doesn't apply to you OP but it never ceases to amaze me when people continually ask to borrow my clippers - I don't lend my new set - but never return them properly cleaned and when I suggest they might like to contribute to re-sharpening the blades, look at me aghast and as though I've lost the plot!!
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It is not just the sharpening of the blades though. It is the motor and general wear and tear. I no longer lend mine.
 
When I say I borrow off friends, they are returned cleaned and tidy and with either a bottle of something, a tack shop voucher or £. I don't expect to freeload thankyou very much, which is precisely why I also sometimes pay for her to be done and am now considering getting my own. And should something happen to them I would be mortified and they would be replaced immediately. I've borrowed one pair twice and another pair once and paid 3 times for her to be done so not like I'm asking to borrow clippers every 2 minutes. I've already said on this thread I will get my own and asked for recommendations!
 
I bought a pair after buying a tricky to clip mare. She was fine with me, just not others. I would never lend them, nor have I ever asked to borrow any.

They were worth every penny. Remember they're there for the tidy up jobs too. Bridle paths, feather trim, tail trim ect.
 
Are you on a yard?
My first set were purchased 3 ways with two other livery friends, they were Heiniger and brilliant.

I moved away and bought my own set of Lister Liberty - they are rubbish the blades get. Wet hit very quicly
 
Hi Chaps89 - apologies it wasn't aimed at you, more a general comment about my experiences of people asking to borrow my clippers. Believe me, you are in the minority in returning the clippers clean and even with a thank you gift!

When you get your own set, I'd personally recommend against lending them out as they're so easily damaged by dropping them, not oiling often enough or trying to clip a dirty coat.

So in specific answer to your question, as you've obviously got experience with clipping your horse yourself, and your horse requires regular clipping, I would recommend investing in a set in time for the autumn clipping season. If you look after the clippers and you get a good set, then your clippers and blades should last you many years and you will quite quickly recover your investment - plus its nice not to have to ask favours to borrow or arrange to have someone else clip your horse!

As far as makes, from my experience I would highly recommend Masterclip - they've got their own website and are very helpful when you speak to them on the phone, and orders arrive very quickly.

They also sell "Andis 5 in 1 Blade Coolant Spray" which I find fantastic stuff - its about £15 a can but its a huge can and lasts ages but its a coolant, cleaner and oil all in one. I used to use WD40 but have since discovered that's a big no-no for clippers and blades.

The other option would be to wait till around Aug/Sept and keep an eye on Mole Valley website (and some other agricultural merchants) as around the autumn they do some great offers on clipper packs that include clippers, trimmers, blades and they often come in a sturdy bag for a very good price. They're good makes too - i.e.. Lister, Heinniger etc.

Then all you'll need to buy will be a head torch or better still one of the rechargeable LED work lights from stores such as Screwfix - which are fantastic for clipping!
 
Ihw- I'm only on a private yard with the YO and her horses so no option to club together with people to get some but what a good idea!

Northern hare - apologies, my response was mostly aimed at the post below yours, sorry if it was a bit stroppy I just hate the thought of being thought of as a freeloader or someone who doesn't appreciate being lent high value items and wouldn't care for them. Thankyou for your helpful response, I shall have a look at the websites you've recommended and keep an eye out for sales too. Luckily she is a doddle to clip (apart from her legs. We leave her legs now! ) especially fortunate as she has a coat like a yak!
 
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