HELP - Clipping Disaster!!

I'm sure it won't look as bad as my poor native did last winter.

She started with a trace clip where I realised that the blades weren't that sharp (& two different thicknesses). She has a coat like a woolly mammoth and I have nowhere to wash so it was 'patchy'. About two weeks later I needed to take clip her very feathery legs for the vet so we did it (badly) under sedation with the clippers running hot so no chance to tidy up before the drugs wore off. She then went to the vets a few weeks after that where they scalped her legs to her knees in order to do x rays and scans. I suspect the poor girl was relieved she was on box rest for the next month and the public couldn't laugh at her.

I posted a photo on line and her old owner had palpatations
 
Thank you all so much - you've made me feel so much better and given me a good giggle to. Glad I'm not the only one this has happened to (I nearly spat my tea across my desk at "purple pony")

Probably a daft question but - how do you check your tensioning is ok?
 
Have you thought that it could be all the clippers' fault? They're knackered and that's why they were for sale? That would be my excuse anyway!

I attempted clipping once about 15 years ago, luckily on borrowed clippers, I didn't buy any. Archie looked like a patchwork quilt and I think I'm still finding white hair in my pants. I've happily paid someone else to do it every time since then.
 
Annagain said:
Have you thought that it could be all the clippers' fault? They're knackered and that's why they were for sale? That would be my excuse anyway!

I attempted clipping once about 15 years ago, luckily on borrowed clippers, I didn't buy any. Archie looked like a patchwork quilt and I think I'm still finding white hair in my pants. I've happily paid someone else to do it every time since then.
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Oh I'm definitely going with that excuse I think ...... :D
 
It’s really hard to clip pale horses, my grey showed every single line! It’s really not that bad, after a couple of weeks you won’t even notice and more importantly he will be much more comfortable with his clip.
 
Widgeon said:
Oh that doesn't look too bad at all, once there's a saddle on and a bit of rain and mud no one will notice.
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His face is worse, but I didn't take a picture of that (couldn't bare anyone else to see his shame poor lad), plus the wriggly little worm wouldn't stay still. He has a half face, with one side slightly higher than the other, and random fluffy tufts on his cheeks :rolleyes:
 
Widgeon said:
I like the furry bum flap. I was thinking, that doesn't look so bad, then I got to the back end and started to giggle. I also loved the hiding of his face
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Both myself and my clippers had given up the will to live after chopping the four inch long mass of fur off his belly ?. Icelandic plus Cushing's
Everyone needs a furry bum flap ?
 
OP that really isn't that bad and certainly not deserving of missing a day out enjoying yourself with your pony.

It looks to me, and I am no expert so feel free to ignore, that you have done lots of short strokes with the clippers? Try to do long strokes as you get less lines. Also top tip I was told is to do one side, then do the other, then go back to the first side and go over any lines, then repeat with the other side.

The clippers flatten them so by leaving them for a bit it gives the hairs time to spring back up and lines will show more clearly.
 
ponynutz said:
Another for photos pls!
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Here you are. Enlarge to see it properly.
The clippers are being serviced as I write this. I was told “ they’re running OK, but could be better.” and “don’t get rid of these, you won’t buy anything better now”
Can’t blame the tools, blame the workwoman
33957DD1-DCFE-46B1-A150-061F746DFCCD.jpeg16404286-5F00-4B98-9859-184D4F5896EB.jpeg?
 
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Meredith said:
Here you are. Enlarge to see it properly.
The clippers are being serviced as I write this. I was told “ they’re running OK, but could be better.” and “don’t get rid of these, you won’t buy anything better now”
Can’t blame the tools, blame the workwoman
View attachment 101705View attachment 101706?
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Oh dear does look a bit skinned chicken-esque! Not as terrible as I pictured in my head though - could definitely go to a hunt, have a giggle, and not feel too ashamed!
 
Doesn't look too bad at all. I'm only in my second season of clipping so I am learning and last year I got the pro to do the first clip so I could just follow the lines when the coat grew again. Like you, I've watched every bloomin' Youtube video. I gave both of mine a chaser clip on Monday. They don't look great up close and I keep titivating them but in a few weeks all those rough edges and lines will have nearly disappeared. Does your horse care?
 
I think he looks fine! And will look perfect in a few days. I decided to do my own clipping this year and its much harder than it looks. I bath before and afterwards and then look the next day to see what needs tidying up. I can see bits but I'm sure no-one else cares. I tried to tidy clip day+2 and his coat was already growing. I've done 2 clips so far and only hope it gets easier.....I won't do legs again this season, I'll just tidy heels
 
This thread is brilliant nearly cried laughing earlier on. I thought Merediths pic was OP as well, need to hunt out MoW pic. But I'm not posting pictures of my efforts, never ever.
 
Motherofwelshies said:
That photo doesn't do the awfulness that is this clip justice to be fair....
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i 100% know it will look dreadful in real life, you’ve described how it looks when I clip mine! He is majority white and it looks awful. I have also done what you did and researched but I think the difference is practice!! Please don’t give up, I’m going to keep going!

When I have clipped my old ones (dark, solid colours) it looked alright ?
 
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