*deep breath*
I've decided to full clip Connor this winter, and no waiting around until December to do it like last year. The pros outweigh the cons for both of us, and I don't want to have a single two-hours-to-cool-out-after-my-7pm-lesson incident like last year. Not fun for either one of us.
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| Cute and fuzzy: Cute is endearing, the fuzzy part gets challenging in the winter. |
And I need will need your best, your strongest, your most recommended clippers in order to get through this twice this winter:
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| Austen calls it the "hair shelf". His coat hairs really are that long in winter. Hardy breed and all that. |
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| He's going to look so weird when he's entirely that salmon color...oh well. |
So, those of your who body clip, what brand of clippers do you have? My little Wahl Stable Pro's won't cut it (ha, sorry.) Why do you like them? What don't you like about them? How often have they been repaired (blade sharpening excluded)? Bonus, how much did you pay for them, and did you get a good deal?
Aw! That's my favorite picture. That belly hair was ridiculous!
ReplyDeleteThis will be the best decision you ever made! It makes a WORLD of difference! Mystic sweats a lot anyways and grows winter hair like none other. It will make winter a lot easier!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the vote of confidence, that helps since I'm still nervous. I live so far away from the barn and only see him four days a week, but I'm diligent about checking the weather and the barn staff will do blanket changes if I ask them, though I don't like to. I think it will be better for both of us since we'll be working harder than ever this winter.
DeleteI have a pair of the old black oster clipmaster clippers. They are excellent and powerful, clipping those hairy ponies easily. I have used them to body clip Roz multiple times and Tarra has used them for Mystic multiple times. I can do several horses with out getting the blades sharpened. The downsides are that the clippers are big and heavy. They also have an air vent that blows hair in your face. I hate it!
ReplyDeleteI'm already planning to sell mine to Tarra and buy a new pair of good clippers when Emi is ready for body clipping. Right now I'm not clipping Roz anymore. I'm looking at the Lister Star Clippers. They look good to me! I think clippers are a great investment. There's nothing worse than not having the right tools to get the job done!
I agree, I feel the same way about clippers as I do my saws for working on the house. I want to buy good ones once, and that's it. These Wahls were given to all of us in college as part of a course, definitely not my first choice. They're good for Cob beards though, you'll need an in-between clipper for beard trimming if you do get the Listers.
DeleteOk, BEST CLIPPERS EVER:
ReplyDeleteLister Legend.
http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=56e0dfb6-59ce-4b69-95de-7f5374439ccd
I've clipped more than a dozen horses with Osters, and I can tell you that the Listers are 100000x better. No wretched fan blowing hair in your face. They're quieter, lighter, and easier to use. They're more expensive, but imagine being soaked in sweat with tiny hairs blowing into your face for the 3rd time this winter, and it's totally worth the price.
NOTED: You do have to buy different blades, as the Andis/Oster blades are NOT interchangeable. The Litser blades are slightly more expensive. That said, I believe I clipped four dirty horses on one set of blades and they were still sharp enough.
If you need more convincing, I clip a LOT of horses (yay show barn) and this is the set I'm buying myself this year.
This is exactly the information I'm looking for. I should have said, "I need to clip a wooly mammoth that will probably be dirty." They might be out of my price range this year, but long-term, that is what I want. Thank you!
DeleteI have a pair of the Andis HC Clippers that I bought from Supreme Show Supply for $240. They only gave me that deal because they didn't have the pair I wanted (Andis Progress Clippers) in stock.
ReplyDeletehttp://supremeshowsupply.com
I love my clippers. They barely got hot, would clip pretty much anything with ease I think, and aren't terribly loud considering how heavy duty they are. That said they were a little heavy towards the end of my clip job and when I clipped Hue's belly the clippers kind of blew hair at me - I like the blowing when it's not on his belly bc it keeps the path clear.
As for the progress those things are the best. My old trainer has a pair and those clippers are the lightest body clippers I have ever seen. She can also clip a really hairy horse with those in like an hour. It is impressive.
Happy hunting - its not fun to examine the pros and cons since there are a lot of options out there!
I remember you got a great deal on those, but I didn't remember how good til I looked them up. Holy cow! I am adding those to my "probably can't afford it this year, but next year..." list. I don't mind clipping, and would totally clip other peoples' horses to pay for that.
DeleteYeah. If you shop around you can get some great deals.
DeleteAlso just wanted to say I am pro body clip when horses work hard through the winter and you have the appropriate blankets and care. I never had to wait hours and hours for hue to dry and with the right blankets he should have no issues with the lack of natural warmth. I am a big neck cover fan- I think it makes a huge difference for the horses when it's really cold.
No clipper recommendations since I had someone else body clip Riva twice last winter - but it was the best decision to have her full body clipped! Made those cold winter evenings post ride so much easier!
ReplyDeleteThat makes me feel better. I'm so nervous! But I've got a good blanketing situation this year, so I think we'll be okay...
DeleteLast year was he still sweating when you trace clipped him? I remember when he had a bib clip and he sweated quite a bit but I thought a trace clip was better. That way you wouldn't have to worry about a neck cover.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.peasridge.co.uk/clipper-advice/clippers-clipping-advice-horses-types-of-horse-clips.shtml
This website has lots of different options, not that it should prevent you from buying a new pair of clippers!
I forgot how hairy he was!!! I have my trainer clip Henry so no clipper suggestions sorry! But it seems like you have some great info from other people :)
ReplyDelete