Clipping question re blanket clips....???

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Lill

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Why is it that on blanket clips people tend to take out that semi-circle at the hip/flank area (where the coat changes direction)??

Also how the **** do you do the semi-circle bit and get it even at the same time ??
 
Generally it is an area that sweats more which is why you take it out. You have to come in from the other directions to get all the hair off if that makes sense!? Gnerally you use the hair as a guide any that is not lying facing back then you take it out. Again it's a practice thing the first time I did one I get going in again to get it level enede up taking so much off I turned it into a hunter clip. Noe though it is no problem & you get your eye into doing them it becomes second nature. I generally did all the clipping on my yard as the girls hated it so would send them off on exercise & I would just set to & do 8 horses aday till had them all done. I enjoy clipping now as it's just like grooming when you do so many it becomes natural. Practice & have fun!
 
I clip the semi-circle as like 2 1/4's. You have to do it against the hair, so from the left, you do like a quarter circle then do the same from the right so they meet! I make sure to do it shallow first, in case I need to adjust it a little to look equal. And do it from the wrist, if you know what I mean - so your hand stays in the same place but you just turn your wrist a bit to get a nice even curve. Its really easy, just be brave!
 
I clipped my horse for the first time yesterday and did a sort of blanket clip.

Didn't quite work out, but I'll try again next time to do a better job. I was in a rush as the sedation only lasted half an hour or so and she is TERRIFIED of the clippers. Was supposed to be doing a full clip, but she just wouldn't have stayed sedated long enough. Improvised by turning it into a blanket clip. Bit too far back from her withers though....looks like it's sliding off backwards!

Photo-0328_005.jpg
 
I think that looks smart, Patches - I would be proud of that (my mare won't be making it to public photos to hide her blushes but she is still woolly at the moment), and you got all the face off too!
 
My vet got her face off. She was fab. Call out, sedation plus she used her batter clippers and did her face while I was clipping the rest of her... £25 was all she charged! I was very impressed.
 
She looks good
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£25 is pretty good price too!! Have not seen you around these parts lately what have you been up to?!

Might do Holly first as she is quieter, have done a blanket clip onher before but the semi circle bits came out odd
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hmm....
 
First time i clipped, i used lots of bailer twine and lots of chalk. Make sure you have your horse standing level and square and then have a peiceof twine with a knot in the middle and lay it over the horses withers and then tue a knot at the level you want your clip to be at so that it is level on both sides then mark the straight line down on both sides with chalk. I then uses a long peice of twine round the body from the bum to the line you have drawn. it does help if you have somebody helping. When you have that level then mark that with chalk, then draw the semi circles on the flanks and where you want it clipped out around his bum and follow the muscle lines on his legs, you should be able to feel where it needs to be clipped and the chalk line should follow it easier. if you are clipping half a face, use twine again but place behind the ears and down towards the corners of his mouth and draw a line there too.
This will take an age but may give you the confidence the first time round and if your horse is grey, choose a diff colour or use blue dressmakers chalk as that is more accurate anyway.
Good luck, i was terrified first time i did it and just did a trace clip and started really low so that any mistakes could be sorted. I also have no patience and get my OH to tidy up once i've got bored which he hates, lol!!
Also plait the mane out of the way, especially the forlock if you are doing a full face and bandage the tail up too so you dont have any mishaps!
Make sure your horse is very clean before hand as the clippers will run much smoother and easier if you ahve spoent time grooming first and stop and oil frequently.
 
Thanks - Like the dress makers chalk idea might go look for some of that at lunch!! Its not the first time i've clipped but i'm just rubbish at getting even lines on blanket clips so in previous years have just taken the whole lot off!! But Blue loses weight over the Winter so i don't really want to do that this year!
 
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