CC on my first ever clip please!

[JFTDWS]

And JFTD, sheep, Rhino and QueenBee- you are all so naughty. How does every thread you're involved in get so side tracked. Tsk tsk children!

I like to think of it as my special skill - something I can do better than anybody else (other than my partners in crime, of course )

Re the clip, I don't like the gradient of the line from neck to below - I personally think a trace or blanket gives a more aesthetically pleasing line. But that's possibly personal preference.

SF's point about the saddle may be worthwhile - I would think that would feel odd?

I only ever trace or full, so I'm not expert on lines or how it "should" be

 

[*hic*]

Practicality is why I clip, that and laziness. So I do my first clip as a chaser so that if the weather warms up the nags can still be out naked most of the time - which they have been. After that it all comes off and they get rugged.

 

[Trot_On_Dressage]

Are we certain that its the OPs horses first ever clip? I was under the impression that it was the OPs first ever clip, I may be wrong though, I have only skimmed the posts this morning. Pretty sure that she did make a 'real special effort' not to nick her horse, what do you really think, that she went for it without giving a damn about nicking the horse. God! you are sanctamonious, no one is saying it is OK to nick a horse, but they are saying that these things can happen.



Where, oh where have you given anything constructive for her to go on? Ever heard of turning a negative into a positive? It goes a little bit like this. 'Nicking the horse is really a thing you want to guard against at all costs. Personally, in my experience I would suggest you do x, y or z to ensure this does not happen' Straight away, that would have been considered a positive post.

You may have high standards T-on-D but they seem to go hand in hand with you looking down your nose at people.and in reality I would suspect you are no better than the rest of the world


Honesty is good LM, but could you not have expanded a bit? I know you aren't one for essays, but perhaps a few tips, or even some encouragement. How exactly does your comment help someone who is eager to learn, and if it doesn't help or encourage, why post?


^^this^^

^^and this^^

OP, lionmans correct, it won't win any prizes but for a first attempt, its really not the worst I've seen. Most people on here have been really constructive. And with practice you will improve so don't be put off. I would agree that to have a second, possibly more experienced set of hands on tap next time to guide you around the tricky areas would be useful, your clip on the one side looks much tidier than on the other (where the hair has been clipped away) and chalk is a godsend when you are learning the ropes. Make sure your clippers are always well oiled and sharp to help prevent nicks too, and take your time. Have a look at a few pictures of how to do the legs, it would be nice to see more of an angle on them, I agree it is more pleasing on the eye. Next year I would also consider a clip that suits your horses confirmation more, but that is just be being anal and picky

All in all a good first attempt.

I thought the OP said it was her and her horses first clip. I apologise if i got that wrong but she should have seeked help. Plus i did tell her to ask for help and be shown how to clip properly, that is helping!

 

[tonitot]

Hi again, I haven't disappeared just thought I'd clear up a few things ...

-This was my first clip AND Ethels first
-I have been shown how to clip and practised on my old loan ponys shoulder but this was the first time I'd done it all myself
-At no time was I left alone to clip my horse, I watched my friend clip her horse and then she stayed and helped me out
- I have already arranged to have someone more experienced with quieter battery powered clippers to help me next time, she has said if I want to she will do the lines and I can fill in the gaps if I don't feel confident enough to do the lines myself
- When I said I will ignore the negative comments I did mean the ones that didn't offer any help, lionmans post of "it's not very good is it" isn't helpful to me at all, I knew that already!

Thank you do everyone who has given me good ideas in preperation for next time, really appreciate it

 

[Queenbee]

Hi again, I haven't disappeared just thought I'd clear up a few things ...

-This was my first clip AND Ethels first
-I have been shown how to clip and practised on my old loan ponys shoulder but this was the first time I'd done it all myself
-At no time was I left alone to clip my horse, I watched my friend clip her horse and then she stayed and helped me out
- I have already arranged to have someone more experienced with quieter battery powered clippers to help me next time, she has said if I want to she will do the lines and I can fill in the gaps if I don't feel confident enough to do the lines myself
- When I said I will ignore the negative comments I did mean the ones that didn't offer any help, lionmans post of "it's not very good is it" isn't helpful to me at all, I knew that already!

Thank you do everyone who has given me good ideas in preperation for next time, really appreciate it

Hi OP,

I think on the whole, apart from a couple of unhelpful negative comments and JFTD, Rhino, Sheep and I doing our usual hijack number you have been given some really helpful advice on here. Definately pay close attention to getting a clean coat, sharp and well oiled blades for the best clip. Sounds like you are doing all you can, and practice does make perfect, the only thing I would add as has been said before is possibly arm yourself with some lighter trimmers and maybe pop a guard on them for the tricksy bits. However my biggest tip (and only because I am very anal) is about clipping in general and not about your clips persay. I absolutely hate that time when you are waiting for the summer coat to come through and you can still see where you clipped, whilst for my horses I tend to go for a full most of the time anyway (because I am a lazy so and so) but if i do leave hair on in the first clip, I will generally take it all off with the second clip to ensure that the spring coat comes through nicely

As I said, an entirely anal tip, but thought Id share it anyway

 

[Natch]

She asked for a CC sweetheart, not a round of applause.

She did indeed ask for CC, where's the constructive in your criticism?

 

[[59668]]

I can't believe how mean some people are!

I did my first ever clip on my horse, after having to desensitise him to the clippers after a "professional" terrified him, after trying to corner him in his box and twitch him. So I decided I would do it myself.

My lines were wobbly, and I found it hard, and it took ages, but at the end of the clip my horse was still standing chilled out and happy, and as I now clip him myself I have found I get better at it every time.

Everyone has to start somewhere, and not everyone has the luxury of having someone to show them how. OP you'll find you get better every time.

Ignore the idiots.

 

[Brandy]

Considering its your first and your horses first clip, it isn't at all bad.

I hate clipping, get bored halfway through, so for a couple of years I paid someone to do it for me. Exspensive, especially as I have my own rechargable clippers......however I do hate it.

Both years, by TB got 'nicked' between the front legs, despite me being on hand to hold legs, stretch skin, and him being an angel. So, its not something that OP has done becuase she's carp at clipping.......

People aren;t born being good at clipping, and if you want to get better you have to just get on with it. I remember starting a blanket clip, and getting the lines wrong and it got higher and higher and eventually I just took the lot off.

 

[Lill]

I haven't read all the replies, but i would imagine the reason the blades nicked your horse is because they were course blades.

This happened to me once when i used course blades, i then bought some fine A2 blades and have never had a problem with any areas being nicked since using these.

I too gave my youngster his first clip a few weeks ago, i did not manage to take off as much as you have! He only has the tiniest bib clip but that is all he needs at the moment

 

[BeckyD]

Crickey yours looks like a professional job compared to my first proper clip! Mine was a total mess as horse too greasy, blades went blunt, so I gave up. It was my first time and we weren't going anywhere off the yard so it did the job of keeping horse cool enough to work. I was mortified about how bad it looked, but the good bits were ok so people were kind (once they'd stopped laughing). My second time, on clean horse with sharp blades was much better, but my only tip is not to clip in the stable unless you're experienced! Mine looked great till we went out in daylight

Enjoy your second attempt!