Clipping leg lines

[Crazy_cat_lady]

So am hopefully getting H clipped Friday (with the aid of heavy vet issued sedation! )

But I can never clip leg lines in the right place or straight. Seen some on here with excellent diagonal straight lines but I usually end up with them too low down or wonky how do you get them straight? ! Not too bad at the rest as draw the blanket bit out with chalk.

Last couple of years I have clipped his legs out as lines failed and it also seems to help him not get mud fever so may just do the same again but how do you do the bits of hair round the coronet band? Last few times I've had to trim it with scissors but guessing people usually clip that bit? Doesn't help he needs vet sedation so have to be as quick as possible so can't spend too much "tidying!!"

 

[Grinchmass]

So am hopefully getting H clipped Friday (with the aid of heavy vet issued sedation! )

But I can never clip leg lines in the right place or straight. Seen some on here with excellent diagonal straight lines but I usually end up with them too low down or wonky how do you get them straight? ! Not too bad at the rest as draw the blanket bit out with chalk.

Last couple of years I have clipped his legs out as lines failed and it also seems to help him not get mud fever so may just do the same again but how do you do the bits of hair round the coronet band? Last few times I've had to trim it with scissors but guessing people usually clip that bit? Doesn't help he needs vet sedation so have to be as quick as possible so can't spend too much "tidying!!"

Follow the line of the muscle on the legs

 

[JillA]

Even more difficult is the diagonal line on an Irish clip - slight movement of head/neck (as in eating from a haynet) and you get a wobble. Any tips on how to do that if you are on your own? I tried chalk but the same thing happens and I ended up with about 4 chalk lines

 

[MissTyc]

I find the best strategy is to not worry about it and just go for it - single swipe ... then if some hair go in the "wrong" direction, you at least have a line to follow for the fixing up. Roughly follow the line of the muscle and make sure it looks the same from behind and don't ever think of it again. Can only see one side of the horse at a time anyway

 

[windand rain]

I always clip the line in first then take off the rest of the hair either above or below it. Follow the muscle to the elbow and on the rear end I like mine quite low anyway as sweat between the legs must be uncomfortable so as long as they match when the tail is moved out of the way I dont worry too much
Same with chaser lines one quick and consistent swipe usually goes where I want it

 

[Abacus]

As others said, look at the muscle lines on the legs. This picture might help - you can see really clearly where the line of the muscle goes and then find the same on your own horse:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=c...2Fwiki%2FGlossary_of_equestrian_terms;995;867

That said, I used to have a horse whose legs were a bit short for his body, so I clipped higher to make it look like his legs were longer.