Clipping virgin - help!

[leah_x]

Hi, I'm going to clip my horse today for the first time, I have no idea what he's going to be like but if he is his normal self he'll be fine (probably bored) lol.
I was thinking of doing a chaser clip.
My 14yr old TB gets worked hard 5/6 times a week and is very, very hairy so sweats a lot! Mainly on his neck, belly, shoulders & around the ears. I'm not rich so can't afford to go out and buy a load of rugs to keep him warm if i done a full clip. (i got him in April so still trying to "set up")
Lately I have not been able to ride him as he sweats up when just standing in his stable so don't want to make him uncomfortable. He has also lost a bit of weight and despite his fatty food he gets he is not putting any back on (maybe due to so much sweating)?
I wondered if you think a chaser clip would be right for him. & also how would i rug him? Would I rug asif he's clipped or rug as if he's still quite hairy?
And any tips and tricks for getting lines etc? I have no idea!
I may sound daft, but I've never clipped a horse before, have plenty of help available on the yard but I don't want to rely on people who have jobs to do...

 

[Vixen Van Debz]

Are virgins more difficult to clip? lol. Sorry: couldn't resist 80)

 

[rhino]

OK, first of all please don't assume your horse will be good to clip even if he is 100% in other ways, I made that assumption... though my skull has healed nicely Keep yourself safe, helmet, steel toecaps if you have them. Old scraggy clothes or overalls as the hair gets everywhere!

Get your horse used to the clippers first, when you have plenty of time for him to get used to them. Switch them on and work up to running them down his shoulder etc. I know you want to clip today but horses have a habit of knowing if you are in a hurry!

I would start with a minimal clip and then you can always clip more off if needed in subsequent clips. Even a simple bib/apron clip would probably be sufficient. Mark out lines with chalk (dark coloured horses) or lipstick (greys etc.) Don't clip however if you are not sure you have the rugs to cope with all eventualities, it was this very day last year we had the first snowfall (I remember because I had clipped out the day before! )

 

[BigRed]

If you have never clipped a horse before, i think it's worth paying a professional clipper to be on hand to help you. I assume you have bought or borrowed a set of clippers. Your horse needs to be dry and clean, the blades need to be sharp and you need someone to help you tension them properly or they won't clip properly. My advise is to start with a simple trace clip. If you find your horse still sweats up, take more hair off, you can always clip more hair off...

Most people rug their horses too heavily. A horse with a trace or chase clip should be perfectly happy with medium weight turnouts and stable rugs. Horses are individuals and some need heavier rugs than others, also where you live in the UK will have some bearing on how cold it is.