1. A good coat comes from the inside out! Feeding a premium quality feed oil such as Curragh Carron Oil or linseed oil a few weeks in advance will really make the job of clipping all the more satisfying when that shine comes through.
2. Regular, thorough grooming will also stimulate the hair follicles as well as remove excess dirt and dust.
3. If weather permits a good bath the day before will also assist in removing dead hair and dirt. Having a clean coat to start with will reduce the chances of ‘lines’ appearing.
4. Finding out how your horse will react to the clippers just being switched on and the machine moved across his body is a worthwhile exercise to do a few days out. This can be a form of desensitisation if done regularly, before you even start to clip.
5. Some horses may need a little help to stay relaxed during the process and a calming product such as TRM’s Good As Gold Paste given the day before and the day of clipping can just take the edge off a horse to allow for a more pleasurable experience all round.
Getting started
1. Make sure your clipper blades are sharp and clean before you start. Having a spare pair of blades is always a good idea – nothing like hot blades to make a horse fidgety!
2. If doing a full body clip allow at least two hours. If doing a partial clip such as a trace or hunter clip marking out the cut lines with damp chalk will really help speed up the process.
3. The clipper blades may get hot as you work. To minimise this, oil and brush blades frequently. If you can’t comfortably touch the turned-off blades, they’re too hot and should be left to cool down.
4. Standing on a step will help you achieve a correct clip along your horse’s top line.
5. To get an even clip in the folds of your horse’s elbow without nicking his skin, ask an assistant to hold his foreleg forwards.
6. Hot-clothing your horse when you’re done will remove loose hair clippings from his coat, which could cause irritation. Adding some apple cider vinegar to the warm water will help dissolve any grime, clean any nicks caused by clipping and bring an added shine to the finished coat.