Now I know why I don't clip....

[Mongoose11]

I have always had a friend to clip Olive in the past or paid to have it done but this time as I am on a new yard and I want to be able to call in favours for more important things I thought 'right - my own pair of clipers it is'. So I bought some Lister Stars at the recommendation of a few (Cinnamon Toast/Jhoward thank you) and proceeded to conduct my first ever clip..........

TWO DAYS LATER I still have a horse with fluff under her belly as she tries to kick me while under there, 3/4 of a face left on but with some nice tufts taken out as that was all she would let me do and a horrid chunk out of her crest as she threw her head up while I was attempting to neaten out the line up her neck.

I had gone for an extended chaser kind of look but now we have some kind of hideous half clipped monster and I wish I had just paid someone to do it . To be fair she was patient for the first hour and a half and then I gave up. Tried to do more today and she just isn't having it. She has, in the past, fallen asleep while beng clipped. It's just me, she pisses me about

So - a tube of calmer perhaps? Help.

 

[dumpling]

1hr and a half?! What were you doing? I can do a hunter clip in little just over half an hour. Maybe they were too hot?

 

[Mongoose11]

I kept stopping to oil them etc so no they didn't get to hot as I kept checking. Did you read the bit where I said it was my first time ? I know it was painfully slow and I am very pleased that you can do a hunter clip in that time but clearly I can't

 

[joeanne]

Don't be glum.....the 1st clip my friend ever did looked like a random person had zipped bits out her horses coat.
Looked dead funny....but its only hair!
Keep going, you WILL get better at it!

 

[lcharles]

Sorry, but this made me laugh! x Disappointed theres no picture though!!

Maybe tie her up with a haynet and try again, get the main bulk done and worry about the detail after x Could the blades of got too hot? It wouldnt hurt to turn them off for ten minutes and take her for a walk if you've taken over 45 minutes x It depends how happy she is and how patient she is! x

 

[dumpling]

You should oil them as they're running and give them a little break. I think if you're going to take that time to do it (obviously you didn't know you were) then I'd think of sedating as its a long time for them to wait. I can occupy mine with some hay but only for so long, he also usually goes to sleep. Perhaps you should try some trimmers on her belly and face area.

 

[Angela_1987]

I did my first clip on my horse. Luckily for me he just stood and ate his hay and let me get on with it.

Not the neatest of jobs but i gave it a go!!

Will be doing some tidying up this afternoon though.

I kept it simple with an Irish clip but it is hard getting the lines straight!!

Practice makes perfect

 

[annaellie]

My first clips looked like a madman had got loose on them
You soon pick it up I got someone experanced with clipping to stand with me and give me pointers also to take over if it was getting to long for horse.

 

[christine48]

1hr and a half?! What were you doing? I can do a hunter clip in little just over half an hour. Maybe they were too hot?

Blimey it takes me about an hour and a half!! The body doesn't take too cling, but it's the diddly bits like elbows, head & ears etc which take me ages.

 

[Victoria25]

Hahahaha , sorry I had to laugh really loud at this as I was in your position last week so know EXACTLY how you feel ... I started off with a trace clip - that looked wonky ... so took a bit shorter .. then a bit shorter ... then ooopss thats waaay too short to look any good so off it all came - then he wouldnt let me do stomach (or he did but had a few near miss kicks) - kept his head and legs (face line isnt the best but passable) I just did mine over a few days (and went at it like a mad woman whilst he was eating his tea - which then turned into ohhh you want more??? keep still!!!) hahaha my first time too

 

[Amicus]

Don't feel to bad when I used to help at a riding school the owner was attempting a full clip on her new horse and had done most of the left half when horse broke free and ran off... Horse remained half clipped for a fair few day..

Also use to know someone who borrowed a mare to pony club and asked owner who normally full clips to leave the legs on, so owner left legs on but no nice diagonal line nope just clipped body and horizontal hairy line to legs.

I'm sure yours can't be that bad, good luck finishing off

 

[Fransurrey]

Sorry, but this made me laugh! x Disappointed theres no picture though!!

Me too, ha ha! Sorry, can't help as I've never clipped anything in my life (except my legs). Are there others on your yard with patient horses? Maybe when they're clipping their horse you can ask for some practice time in return for them using your clippers?

 

[wench]

An hour and a half is an awfully long time. If you can't get it neat, take the whole lot off.

My old horse hated being clipped, so I had to do it as quickly as possible. I could do a full clip in about 30-45 mins (inc half head). It didn't look very pretty, but it was all off. I would then do any bits I missed a week later.

 

[FfionWinnie]

I'd stop trying to clip for the next few days and just run them on the bits she doesn't like you touching. Keep them there while she moves and take them off when she stands still. You have to be consistent. Think of it like this. She doesn't like the feeling, kicks, you take them off, she stops kicking, you start, she kicks, you take them off. At the moment she is being rewarded for kicking, you need to turn it the other way round. Don't be despondent you will get there in the end but do some training with her, it will pay off I promise. Also I'd let her get a bit hungry before you start then give her a hay net.

 

[smokey]

My first attempt was just like this, you made me laugh! Don't worry about the time taken, we all have to learn, and better not to rush, you don't want to make a mess! Lol. Take the lot off, saves all those tricky lines! I don't clip now, mine lives out, so is a happy hairy. Please post pics!

 

[Tinsel Town]

Hehe pictures please!

 

[Auslander]

Good on you for buying clippers and giving it a go! If you're having problems, it might be an idea to get someone experienced to spend half an hour helping you sort out the dodgy bits. I certainly wouldn't have a problem if someone on my yard asked me to help - and I'd like to think most people feel the same way.

Now you've had a few problems, you'll find it will have focused your mind beautifully on what you need to look out for/ask about when watching an experienced clipper doing the job.

Too late now, but when I've taught people to clip, I've clipped the lines for them and let them practice getting a nice even clip elsewhere. I've also (don't tell anyone!) gone back afterwards and quietly sorted out any really nasty tramlines/dodgy bits!

 

[Misog2000]

My girl gets fed up standing around, so I always do a little bit on her side or neck to get her used to the clippers again, then go and put the lines in on her legs and head (always do a full clip as she is in hard work). That way they are done before she gets bored and fidgety.

You will get better at it the more you do it, and as others have said...don't worry too much, it's only hair and will grow back

 

[casinosolo]

I have always had a friend to clip Olive in the past or paid to have it done but this time as I am on a new yard and I want to be able to call in favours for more important things I thought 'right - my own pair of clipers it is'. So I bought some Lister Stars at the recommendation of a few (Cinnamon Toast/Jhoward thank you) and proceeded to conduct my first ever clip..........

TWO DAYS LATER I still have a horse with fluff under her belly as she tries to kick me while under there, 3/4 of a face left on but with some nice tufts taken out as that was all she would let me do and a horrid chunk out of her crest as she threw her head up while I was attempting to neaten out the line up her neck.

I had gone for an extended chaser kind of look but now we have some kind of hideous half clipped monster and I wish I had just paid someone to do it . To be fair she was patient for the first hour and a half and then I gave up. Tried to do more today and she just isn't having it. She has, in the past, fallen asleep while beng clipped. It's just me, she pisses me about

So - a tube of calmer perhaps? Help.

I'm getting someone in to clip mine but previous owner said he needed sedalin. Called my vet and as they'd seen him recently they sent me out a tube of the sedalin gel in the post. Cost me £20. Think they have to have checked the heart rate recently though for you not to have to pay a call out.

 

[casinosolo]

I'm getting someone in to clip mine but previous owner said he needed sedalin. Called my vet and as they'd seen him recently they sent me out a tube of the sedalin gel in the post. Cost me £20. Think they have to have checked the heart rate recently though for you not to have to pay a call out.

Sorry! I replied before reading your post properly. I see now you weren't asking about sedating, duh! Sorry. I have no other advice unfortunately as I'm too much of a wimp to clip as I know he'd end up looking awful :/ So well done for being so brave! I'm sure you'll get it sorted

 

[PoshDonkey]

If your horse has changed from being happy to clip to not letting the clippers near her a day or so after, it sounds as though she had an uncomfortable experience. Check the tension of the blades, too loose and they'll pull the hair instead of cutting cleanly. Also a dirty coat can make the coat harder to clip.

 

[Yertis]

Is she the coloured in your photo? if so check which blades you are using, if it's 2F may be too fine for the type of coat, I do mine with 2C and if I want more off then run over with 2F, though usually the coarse finish is o.k. With other types of clipper the number is 6.