Clipping questions

[Allykat]

I am new to clipper ownership having bought myself some liveryman Apollo clippers to do my two with. I have clipped before way in the past and up until now I have paid someone to do it for me. But this year I have taken the plunge!!

How many clips will my blades do before they need resharpening? Or will I just know when they need doing??

How best to mark out lines? I'd like a blanket on my TB but I worry about getting it level...I have visions of "oooh bit more off left side....bit more off right.....ooooh bit more off....oooh buy thicker rug and take the lot off

??

So any advice and tips would be greatfully listened too

Thank you

 

[Ashf]

The lifetime of the blades depends on the thickness of the coat, the amount you are taking off and the way you look after them.

Some tips to be going on with:-

1) dirty horses blunt the blades quicker, mud is very abrasive so clean well what you are going to clip before you start.

2) make sure you oil the blades every 5 minutes with either manufacturers clipper oil or 3in1 whilst clipping - it makes a big difference to keeping the blades cool and sharp.

3) strip the blades afterwards and clean the clipper head with a brush, oiling the mating surfaces before reassembly.

4) don't overtension the blades as this will put more heat into the blades. This is something you will have to fiddle with till you strike a balance between the blades clipping properly and making them work too hard.


Some have suggested marking a line with a bar of saddle soap, some have suggested marking a line with a lipstick if thats any help !

 

[hunteress]

look back there is a post about this subject last month, just go for it the more you clip the better you get ,keep the blades smooth over the horses skin let them glide with a slight preasure like you were doing it on your own skin long and short clips back and forwards (if you know what I mean!!) I have 2 sets of blades and have found the fine to do a better job also clip lasts longer so when I feel 1 set isn't clipping then I change to the new set a and send the others to the sharpening man clippersharp 01823681076 www.clippersharp.com As for clip again practice makes perfect take your time don't ever rush a clip it will end up a mess, GOOD LUCK let us know how you get on blanket clip or ful !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jayvee]

To get a straight line for a trace or blanket is to tie a few bailer twines together so you have one very long piece. Enough to wrap around the chest of your horse and bring it round to the bum from both sides. Helps to have someone hold it in place while you then go round with some taylors chalk to mark your line, following the bailer line! That way you get both sides of even hight and straight lines.
Get in the swing by clipping away from the line until you getting near. Then concentrate on making one long straight clip along the line (1 from flank whorl to shoulder and another from bum to flank whole). If you stop, it's hard to pick the line up again.
If you have a grey the chalk won't show. I have used a permanent marker pen in the past perfectly well.

 

[Allykat]

Cheers thank you for those snippets of info

Thats a very good one with the bailer twine...will put that one to use I think

Well I clipped Jes today, he's a irish cobby type. He has a full clip which I managed quite well. We have legs left on with straightish lines across the top and we have half a head left which looks pretty good. I did have a few tension troubles but I just need to practice more. I did have a go at some straight lines on Jes before taking the lot off so I won't be doing the blanket totally blind!!

I'll let you know how I get on

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

I've always done my lines by eye, fortunately I'm not cock eyed. For doing the tops of the forelegs just lift the leg & pull it forward and you will have a natural line to follow. With the hind legs you'll see a line fall naturally where the muscle meets the hind leg. The more you do the more competent you become.

I've always found that you never get as many clips out of a resharpened set as you do out of a brand new pair. can't say how many clips you'll get though....clipping Shires or shetlands.