Please Help - clipping for the 1st time.

[05kitty93]

Hi,

My new Lister clippers have arrived and I am planning on clipping Lottie for the time on Saturday. She has been clipped before and was excellent. I however have never clipped before but have watch numerous people clip over the years.

Any and all tips/advice for a 1st timer gratefully received.

I am going to attempt a blanket clip with 1/2 her face off.

Thanks
Ruth

 

[Tempi]

Please dont do it without someone who knows how to use clippers with you. You need to get the tension right on the clippers, otherwise they will over heat and not cut properly, you need to keep the vents clean all the time, oil the blades every 5-10mins and also clean them off every 5-10mins......

I really really wouldnt do it without someone who knows what they are doing with clippers.

 

[cyearsley]

Agreed - for the first time, an experienced person should be around to help/advise. Some other pointers are....

Get everything together first, saves time and hassle
Have an assistant - defo for the first time - to hold your horse, lift legs etc and for moral support and if you use someone who has clipped before that really is the ideal scenario.
Give horse thorough groom and have rug ready for putting on post hair removal.
Do it when the yard is quiet and your horse relaxed
Ideally in an enclosed area, well lit stable with ideally rubber flooring.
Watch where your lead is at all times
Where overalls of some sort (reduces itchiness) and sturdy footwear. A riding hat offers protection if you think you may need it but if in doubt where one.
Tie manes and tails out of the way
Have a picture of the clip you want to do if you're not familiar (to refer to if necessary!)
Rest clippers to avoid overheating and oil regularly
Make it a pleasant experience for your horse - it will pay dividends in the long run and you'll have a happy neddy!
Don't get carried away - you can always go over an area and take more hair off but you can't put it back!

Have probably forgotten some pointers but these are the basics - good luck and be confident but not gung ho - remember its mainly functional and doesn't really matter what it looks like...within reason!!

 

[alicedove]

I wouldn't worry too much as the horse is experienced, as long as you don't get too het about taking ages or maybe abandoning for the day, (horse won't care about looking a twit!) or cutting wrong shapes.

You MUST constantly check the blades, perss the cutting area into your hand every 2 or 3 mins, they get HOT HOT HOT and if you burn horse, he'll go off clipping pretty quickly!

Make sure horse is well groomed and not too greasy.

Cut into the growth, so against the grain, as it were, or you'll have longer hairs left. So upwards on the leg, stifle area and forwards on the underbelly.

the tension on mine is explained in the instructions, tighten the blade to tight as it'll go, then loosen them (one big screw) one and a half turns exactly.

Make sure you oil the blades in the right places, (instructions again!) intermittently.

Just stay relaxed and don't worry!

You'll get covered in small irritating little pricky hairs, so if poss wear a waterproof or overalls. You'll have to bathe or shower afterwards!

Have a nice stable rug ready to start rugging up as the horse becomes more naked. Pref a non "sticky" one! Maybe let horse roll afterwards, bare, then rug up.

Good luck! Hope he looks nice!

 

[Ravenwood]

I always give the horses a thorough wash the day before clipping to get any grease and grime out of their coats. Its always handy to have someone around anyway to hold up a front leg (those wrinkly bits in their armpits are a nightmare!!) Where you have clipped wipe a sponge (dampened in warm water and a tiny bit of fairy liquid) over and any hairs you have missed will stand up.

Good luck - I love clipping!!