What do you use as a guide to clip?

[Moggy in Manolos]

My girl needs clipping soon, and i saw a while back in a horsey mag that they got chalk and marked a line on the horse to mark out the clip.
I have never clipped seren before though she has been clipped whilst out on loan the past 3years, i was going to get some one else to do it, but thought why not learn myself.
So can you advise on how you mark it out on your horse,what steps you follow to get a nice tidy finish?
Any advice on doing a good clip would be much appreciated?
I will be doing a chaser clip by the way

Thanks in advance

 

[Bossanova]

I just use guesswork I'm afraid- visualize what you want and get stuck in!!

 

[Super_Kat]

I tried using chalk on Storm when I clipped her last year and the line didn't show up so now I just get stuck in and hope for the best

K
x

 

[clipertyplop]

use different points of the horse to clip too, if you dont feel happy with that get your chalk and a bit of string with a knot in one end mark your line down one side holding knot down along spine turn over and do the other side.....once you have done it a couple of times you will be able to do it by eye..worse comes to worse do a full clip ..goodluck

 

[LauraBR]

Last time I improvised with saddle soap- wet a corner and drew round the saddle patch. Worked a charm as you don't need to go right up to it- gave a good guide.

Have never been able to see chalk.

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

Thanks guys, suppose practice makes perfect too, think i will dive in and take it slowly,gotta buy the clippers first but will have to wait another week till payday.
*lol* clipertyplop your very right that a full clip if worst case scenario is an option

 

[MagicMelon]

Depends what clip. If your going for a trace etc. then I do it with chalk - usually red chalk since I have a grey and a black horse etc. so it shows up on them all. This year Ive gone for hunter clips this year - that way there's no real lines to follow! For the legs etc. I just follow the line of the muscle at the tops. For half faces - put on a bridle and just clip up to the cheekpieces.

 

[leanne123]

my eyes lol

 

[shadowboy]

I use a chalk block, as you can rub it out if you draw it wrong. I bought mine for 99p at a farm/equestrian shop.

 

[Jemayni]

lipstick

 

[paintsplat05]

chalk on a dark horse or saddle soap on a lighter coloured horse

 

[loobylu]

I was advised to use lipstick by an old instructor once upon a time....

Have you actually tried it? Be fascinated to discover whether or not it actually works!

 

[LauraBR]

lipstick sounds a fab idea- does it come off afterwards?

 

[lilpete]

I just use my eyes! If it looks wonky I just clip abit more off, to try and even it up! This is only ever the case on someone elses horse though, as mine is always fully clipped!

 

[SillyMare]

Black felt tip marker pen on Lexi (chestnut).

 

[josephinebutter2]

Probably gonna get jumped on for this - but I use a felt tip pen - can never get chalk to go right and saddle soap doesn't show up on my ginger pony!

Any remainder wears off in a couple of days.

Won't be clipping this year unfortunately tho as my pony is on box rest for 4 months

 

[Agent XXX999]

I use a felt tip too - but one like a crayola. I figure that if it is safe for a toddler to suck on it is not going to do much damage to my ned.

Always been a slight problem with the dark bays I keep aquiring though - so they get a full clip as my eye for a straight line is AWFUL! !

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

Thanks guys, the lipstick is an interesting one,might have a spare lippy upstairs somewhere