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  Discussion on Body Clipper Recommendation?
Author Message
New Member:
lynnebc

Posted on Thursday, Jan 17, 2008 - 2:50 pm:

I am looking for some recommendations for body clippers that are relatively EASY for an amateur to use. I have on average two horses to clip and generally use the trace clip before winter sets in. I live in Canada so I am looking to purchase clippers that are sold in North America (ie 110 volts). My horses have been clipped by other people up until now but I need to invest in some clippers to do "touch up" and maybe take the rest of the body coat off in Feb / March rather than let it shed out. I will also be doing my own trace clipping from now on.

Do you recommend corded or cordless clippers? Will I be able to use body clippers to do smaller areas such as around the head, ears, or chin? Which size blades do I need to get started? Can anybody recommend a good book / DVD on clipping?

Thanks in advance for any recommendations the HA members can provide.
Member:
cgby1

Posted on Thursday, Jan 17, 2008 - 6:34 pm:

Hi Lynne,
I used to clip a couple ponys in the early spring because it took forever for them to shed out, as well as a mess. I used an Oster large animal clipper and an Oster A5 small corded clipper for the job. I used size 10 blades for most of the job and a 15 for a closer cut. The higher the number the shorter the cut, a 40 is used for surgery. The Oster is the only brand I have used so I could not comment on any others. I would start off with the smaller clippers and get used to doing the touch ups with a longer blade. That way if you make a mistake it will not show up so badly and grow out sooner. Have you watched it being done?

Cynthia
New Member:
lynnebc

Posted on Thursday, Jan 17, 2008 - 11:55 pm:

Hi Cynthia
Thanks a lot for the information (particularly about the blade sizes) and the suggestion to start with the smaller clippers to get used to them. I have held my horses for the last few years while they were being clipped so I have had a chance to watch. Luckily they have been very calm so I shouldn't have rambunctious horses to deal with.

My biggest concern is that the next trace clip will end up as a full body clip as I attempt to get each side even ......

Lynne
Member:
canter

Posted on Friday, Jan 18, 2008 - 7:07 am:

Hi Lynne, to help get the trace clip neat and even, I take a low stick type masking tape and outline where I want to clip on my horse. If it needs to be adjusted, the tape easily lifts off the horses hair for replacement. Then simply clip within the borders of the tape and voila, a good job done.
Member:
mrose

Posted on Friday, Jan 18, 2008 - 11:44 am:

If you have to clip large amounts of hair, really thick long hair, or a large horse I highly recommend the Groomer's Edge. The motor part hangs on the wall (or where ever you want) and so the clipper part itself is quieter with less vibration, and not as heavy as some of the other clippers. You can use it with either wide or regular size blades. Getting a lesson or two from someone who knows what they are doing is a plus. There are tricks and techniques you can learn to cover up mistakes, to blend in clipped and unclipped areas, etc.
Member:
cgby1

Posted on Friday, Jan 18, 2008 - 4:09 pm:

Lynne,

Blue painter's tape is a low stick tape found in any hardware store. You could also use a measuring tape and yard stick to help get the clip even on both sides. And be sure you use Cool Lube spray frequently, keep the blades clean and oiled.
Member:
mysi

Posted on Friday, Jan 18, 2008 - 9:10 pm:

Lynne, I use the Andis AGC Super 2 Speed. Everyone I know uses them too. I use it with the T-84 blade which is wider and for the muzzle/ears I switch it out to a #10 which cuts close and its smaller. The blades are easy to switch and the clippers are dummy proof. I had never picked up a pair of clippers, and I went clipping away. Looked just like the job the professional did. I always paid someone at the show barn to do it on Sweetheart (she used the same clippers and clipped 6 horses a day, 6 days a week). When I got Moose I wanted to do it myself, so I ordered the clippers because everyone recommended them. I've had them 3 years, used them about every 8 weeks on 2 horses and NEVER had any issues. The T-84 blade lasts about 8-10 clippings and the #10 I've had for 3 years. The clippers were about $130 from jeffersequine.com and free shipping and...they come with a DVD (or when I bought them they did) but I never used it, it was really that easy.

One key thing to remember - oil the blade frequently; before, during and after clipping.
Member:
maggienm

Posted on Friday, Jan 18, 2008 - 10:00 pm:

Hi Lynne, I use the Oster clipper also, I put the blade oil in a small container so I can dip the blades in it. Then when the oil looks dirty I can throw it out and refill the container.
I didn't dip the blades nearly often enough and dulled a couple blades before I figured out to dip the blades every couple minutes when doing a body job. maybe it is because the hair is so long and thick??
I have used a large tip felt pen to mark the area I want to clip.
I use a cordless clipper on the face and around the ears. Interestingly I have gone through several blades for the corded clipper but am still on the same blade with the cordless.
You can find trace patterns on the internet.
New Member:
lynnebc

Posted on Saturday, Jan 19, 2008 - 1:40 am:

Thanks everyone for your advice. When the horses have been clipped in the past I have seen the girls use the Cool Lube but I hadn't realized how important it is to keep the blades oiled and clean. I will also get some tape so that I can move it up and down until I am satisfied with the trace pattern.

Most of the tack stores around here carry the Oster range but I am also going to check out the Andis and Groomer's Edge.
Member:
aannk

Posted on Saturday, Jan 19, 2008 - 10:49 am:

I use the double k clippers. Quiet, cool, and you can use clip on blades. they are the ones vets usually use to get the surgical clip.
Alicia
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Jan 19, 2008 - 11:30 am:

CynthiaG put the tape and ruler recommendation in the Care Tip section, it if sure to garner you some free membership time.
DrO
Member:
cgby1

Posted on Sunday, Jan 20, 2008 - 9:00 pm:

Thanks Dr. O,

I will be sure and do that.

Cynthia
Member:
cgby1

Posted on Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 - 8:32 pm:

Dr. O

I posted in the Care and Tips section as you suggested but I had to put it in 2007. There isn't a 2008 and I didn't see a way to create one.

Cynthia G.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008 - 9:07 am:

Thank you Cynthia,
We have created an appropriate section. I went to see if the tip had made it to the newsletter and don't see it though I think it should we will get it in the next one and credit you with a free month of membership.
DrO
Member:
hpyhaulr

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008 - 9:59 am:

I seem to remember another thread a while back where someone recommended using a WalMart vibrator (no joke)in a massaging motion to get the horse prepared (less reactive) for clipping at a later date.
Member:
cgby1

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008 - 1:18 pm:

Hi Cyndy,
I also saw that tip and I think it's a good one. On the road to the Horse, Stacy Westfall( I think that was her name) used the homemedics vibrator to desensitize her horse so that she could clip him.

Cynthia
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