Bathing before clipping - what to do when it's too cold?

[AppyLover1996]

Hi Guys,

Me again aha - this time with a clipping question!

So my current pony is requiring clipping - however it is extremely cold and I don't have access to a hosepipe or running water to give him a bath.

I know normally you should bath before clipping as it can leave some interesting results afterwards - however I sadly don't have the facilities to do this.

I was wondering if I give my pony a really good groom and keep him thoroughly rugged for the next few days, would this mean he was alright to clip?

It'll be my own clippers that I'm using so no one will be affected by loss of earnings with regards to a dirty-ish pony, however I also want the experience to be as nice as possible.

I also heard about adding coat shine spray to the coat beforehand - is this an old wive's tale or does it actually work??

My pony will be having either a blanket clip or a hunter clip.

 

[meleeka]

I never bath before clipping. Just brush really well and then use a slightly damp tea towel to remove the dust.

 

[ester]

I’ve never bathed it’s not practical most of the time, not killed any clippers in the last 20 years

 

[AppyLover1996]

I never bath before clipping. Just brush really well and then use a slightly damp tea towel to remove the dust.

Thanks Meleeka,

Have you ever had issues with blades blunting quicker, snagging at horses' coat etc?

 

[AppyLover1996]

I’ve never bathed it’s not practical most of the time, not killed any clippers in the last 20 years

Thanks ester, I've clipped a few times but always had the luxury of having hot wash/solariums - now on a much nicer yard but no facilities (but a lot happier pony and owner!) hence my post.

I'll wait for my clippers to arrive and get merrily clipping away

 

[Gloi]

I've never bathed a hairy pony in winter. It does blunt blades , pony was Very greasy and hairy, but I'd rather send them for sharpening afterwards than try to dry a wet hairy pony.

 

[AppyLover1996]

I've never bathed a hairy pony in winter. It does blunt blades but I'd rather send them for sharpening afterwards than try to dry a wet hairy pony.

Thanks Gloi,

He's not fine coated but not super hairy either - I'd say a medium kind of coat and that is the max he'll get for his winter coat. Normally I clip earlier but said pony was supposed to be retired but enjoyed escaping over various hedges and gates to the amusement of the vets, so they advised bringing him back into work - hence the late clipping post....

In your experience, how quickly do the blades get blunt - I've got mains clippers coming (Masterclip ones) so I'm hoping they'll last for at least a blanket aha!

 

[Gloi]

Thanks Gloi,

He's not fine coated but not super hairy either - I'd say a medium kind of coat and that is the max he'll get for his winter coat. Normally I clip earlier but said pony was supposed to be retired but enjoyed escaping over various hedges and gates to the amusement of the vets, so they advised bringing him back into work - hence the late clipping post....

In your experience, how quickly do the blades get blunt - I've got mains clippers coming (Masterclip ones) so I'm hoping they'll last for at least a blanket aha!

With a pony with a normal coat you should have no problems getting a full clip or more from a set of blades.
I had an Icelandic with Cushing's if you can imagine and I sharpened after every clip.

 

[AppyLover1996]

With a pony with a normal coat you should have no problems getting a full clip or more from a set of blades.
I had an Icelandic with Cushing's if you can imagine and I sharpened after every clip.

Oh blimey! Yep I can imagine the carnage that would have caused..... I do have a soft spot for Icelandic's - I learnt to canter on one and she was the sweetest mare, always loved a bum scratch after our ride (and the odd apple when she was allowed a treat!) - come winter it was a SAS style task tacking her up though as she was a little furry yak and had a fur coat that was never ending (even after being clipped!) !!

 

[meleeka]

Thanks Meleeka,

Have you ever had issues with blades blunting quicker, snagging at horses' coat etc?

I think they do blunt quicker, but certainly not that much quicker. I have only had natives, so blades last a couple of full clips on a cob and obviously more on the Shetland.

 

[gallopingby]

I don’t bath before clipping in winter, just start with a good groom and make sure blades have been sharpened then send away to sharpen immediately after clipping. I use lister liberty clippers.

 

[AppyLover1996]

I don’t bath before clipping in winter, just start with a good groom and make sure blades have been sharpened then send away to sharpen immediately after clipping. I use lister liberty clippers.

Hi gallopingby,

Thanks - I do a thorough groom at least twice a week (spending roughly 1.5 hours each time) so I'm hoping he won't be too grimy aha and I'm planning on sending them away for a service/ repair/ look over and blade sharpen as soon as I'm done with them - they're costing me but I've gone for quality, thoroughly questioned Masterclip and spoken to a ton of people, all of who have been honest and straightforward, so I've done a fair bit of research already on the clippers - but I'm determined to make them last as long as possible

 

[ester]

I don’t bath before clipping in winter, just start with a good groom and make sure blades have been sharpened then send away to sharpen immediately after clipping. I use lister liberty clippers.

I’d get multiple clips out of a pair of blades clipping a cushings native

 

[Pinkvboots]

I hot cloth a few times give them a good brush and spray with coat shine a few times a few days before I clip and never had an issue.

 

[Midlifecrisis]

Wash today or tomorrow..the temps in double digits!

 

[AppyLover1996]

Wash today or tomorrow..the temps in double digits!

Hiya,

Sadly I'm working full time and have already got things planned from a while ago for the rest of the week that can't be changed - otherwise I would have snuck a quick bath in tonight!

 

[Midlifecrisis]

Well just to make you feel better I have bathed a hairy pony on a cold night prior to clipping..but there were four of us rubbing with towels as soon as rinsing with warm water done. (I’d filled canisters with hot water at home…so luke warm by time they were used).

 

[Wizpop]

Try Oil2horse clipping oil- been a game changer for me and my greasy cob!