Clipping...

[LindaL]

I am wondering which size blade you use for doing a show body clip? I have a dark bay colt that clips out a lot lighter (mousier) when I used a #10 on him on his head/neck. I also noticed that 1.5-2 weeks out he gets the "pig hairs". My grey gelding I will be using a #30 on (as that is what he was clipped with at nationals and it looks good).

Also, how do you all do the faces...different blades? I have done show clipping before, but it has been years and I'm rusty now...lol

Oh, a different question, too, while I have your attention...lol

For a horse that "fights" clipping, do you twitch or use calming meds? We used a "clamp" on them before and it worked....sort of...but it took way longer than I wanted it to to clip...

 

[Sandee]

I've found so many opinions on clipping and IMO, you have to experiment to find what works best for you and your horse. I have pintos and don't like the "pink" look so I body clip about 5-7 days before a show with a #15 or #10. Then the day before the show I do the face and I attempt to sculpt it with #30 over all blended with #40 for ears, eyes and a 50 on the muzzle. If you do a search, I know there are some sites that show the "pattern" they use for sculpting.

As for a horse that fights clipping, the best suggestion is to break up your clipping time. Do only as much as you and the horse can tolerate without "losing it". I clip all my horses by myself so I have to use cross ties. I started with them from the beginning getting used to the ties for grooming and then advanced to clipping. The feet and legs are probably the worst so pick a seperate time and day to tackle that. After they have been fed in the warmth of the afternoon, is a good time for them to relax and cooperate most. I also handle my horse ears when petting and grooming and have never had the misfortune to end up having to twitch for any clipping. Patience and perseverence is the big key. Oh, and practice, practice --I'm still working on that one.

Just a note: I had one filly that I thought I'd never get to stand until my 5 yr old grandson saw her figeting. He walked over and stroked her nose and talked to her and she immediately calmned down and I clipped her legs that way. She is one that LOVES attention and he distracted her from what I was doing. Now, of course, she nearly falls asleep while I clip her face.

 

[hobbyhorse23]

To answer the last question first- I clicker train! I always clip by myself so I taught Kody to put his front foot up on a bucket and keep it there while I clipped under his elbow and to lift his neck and target on my other hand while I clip his throatlatch.

Turbo is either falling asleep or wiggling out of his skin when I clip him so I started clicking him for standing quietly and that keeps him engaged and focused since he thinks he's "playing the game" and doing something mentally instead of seeing it as just standing there. The attitude change makes all the difference for him.

We'll have to see how he does on his ears and lower legs as I haven't clipped those yet.

As for the blades, well, I've never been a fan of the close clip but then again that's because I don't show halter and Kody just looks like someone in drag when I try to "beautify" him that way.

He does much better clipped with a 15 in high summer with some careful shading over his eyes and down his lower throat and belly to emphasize what he does have. Turbo on the other hand is a handsome upright boy who will need the whole shebang. I'm going to sacrifice some placings at the early show here because it's just too cold IMO to clip with anything shorter than a 10 right now, but I'll do his face with a 15 and see how much finer I need to go from there. For the summer shows I plan to clip him with the 15 all over and do a 30 on his face then contour with a 40 and 50 and razor over the eyes and probably on the muzzle. I HATE that stripped-muzzle look where the horse is starkly black up to the noseband but I think I can blend it pretty well and give him a more natural look. We'll see.

Just remember that when a horse is clipped for Nationals, a close blade looks good because they're got that incredibly fast-growing, thick, velvety coat. Spring clipping is not the same!

Maybe start out with a 15 and see how it looks.

Ten-L has a nice clipping diagram and instructions on her website. You can also go to the "Best Of" forum, I suspect Erica's diagram will be in there somewhere.

Leia

 

[susanne]

Ditto the clicker training. Add to that starting in their comfort zone (assuming they have one) and working out gradually.

Scarlet was just fine with her body and neck, nervous about legs and head, and terrified when it came to ears. I started with her body, then worked down her legs, at the same time clicking to reward good, calm behavorior. Same with the head. Her ears took quite awhile, first with the clippers off, then on but not clipping, and finally clipping -- and all the time clicking.

She's a smart girl and transferred her newfound calm clipping behavior to hoof trims, vaccinations, and medical care.

 

[~Amanda~]

That's really neat and informative about the Clicker Training.

 

[CheyAut]

I'm probably the only one, but on the vast majority of horses I prefer to use a 7 blade on the body. I use a 10 on the head and a 15 or 30 on the muzzle (I HATE the razor look). Sometimes a 10 on the legs, sometimes a 7, depends on the mini. Some of mine done in a 7:

 

[picasso]

Laura Tennill has some articles on her website about clipping that you might find interesting. www.tenltraining.com There is a place on the left of her home page that says "informative article". She has diagrams and everything!! Wish I could make my horses look as good as Laura's always do.

 

[targetsmom]

For me, everything about clipping depends on ... the color of the horse, the time of year (i.e. spring vs, fall, how much white they have, the weather (I wash outside), when the NEXT show is, my energy level, how many horses I have to clip... you get the idea. A typical schedule for me for a Saturday show would be Sun - clip the chestnut or one with most white (body only); Monday - clip the next; Tues -if there is third, the lightest color; Wed & Thurs legs; Friday heads; Works for me...

I suggest that you keep notes on the blades and time before each show to get an idea. I have found that grays can be clipped very close to a show, while I am with Sandee that I don't like the pink look, so pintos with lots of white get done 5-7 days ahead. For 2 shows in a row, I will likely only do touch up in between. These are local shows and I don't razor. Actually I do mostly performance and I have been known to shown an unclipped (for that show) mini.

 

[LindaL]

Thanks for all your info....guess I will just see what happens with this 1st clip this weekend!