| Anyone who has ever had a horse with a full or part | | | | can be sure that by sticking with the best suppliers, like |
| clip knows they are a lot easier to keep well groomed | | | | Wahl, Andis, and Oster that your clippers will be safe - |
| than a horse with a think woolly coat - especially when | | | | and that's important anytime you use electrical |
| they've been rolling in a bit of winter mud! But those | | | | products around horses. |
| that show all winter long, they also know the frustration | | | | Try to choose clippers that give you a good choice of |
| of trying to get a good shine on a clipped horse. Those | | | | blades. If you need to clip a very woolly horse, you'll |
| short, thick hairs just don't seem to ever glow the way | | | | need to start with large, broad blades to get through |
| a summer coat does! | | | | the hair. But for touch-ups, repeat clippings, and to get |
| But there are a few tricks - the clippers you have in | | | | the best possible finish, you will want to choose the |
| your horse grooming supplies can make a big | | | | smallest blades you can. That's why regular clipping is |
| difference, and there are a few other handy tips to | | | | essential for show horses that really need to shine - |
| get a show ring shine on a winter horse. | | | | you want to be able to use the smallest set of blades |
| Step one - when and how you clip | | | | in your clipper supplies! |
| The first thing you need to know is that a horse just | | | | Here's a selection of some of the best choices of |
| clipped will be at its least shiny. The short, thick winter | | | | horse clippers from the top suppliers: |
| hairs will have blunt ends after clipping, and they won't | | | | - Wahl horse clippers. The Wahl Liberty Clipper is one |
| want to lie flat. If you need a shine for a particular | | | | of the best cordless models, With low noise and |
| event or show clip at least two to three weeks before | | | | vibration, it's ideal for sensitive horses, and when fully |
| so you have some time to get let the hairs grow out. | | | | charged you can get up to 2 ½ hours of clipping |
| How you clip will affect how much shine you can get. | | | | time. As with all Wahl clippers, a full range of blades |
| To get an even finish, you need to clip against the lay | | | | are available, including a fine set to get the maximum |
| of the hair, but this will cause the ends of the hairs to | | | | shine! |
| bend upwards, causing a dull finish. It's important to clip | | | | - Oster horse clippers. The Oster Golden A5 |
| in small sections, and after each section go over the | | | | two-Speed Clipper gives you a choice of blade |
| hairs with a damp brush to get them flat right away. | | | | speeds for different types of clipping. The 'normal' |
| Keep a clean, soft brush in your horse grooming | | | | speed is best for a careful finish or precise edges, and |
| supplies specifically for this purpose. Use warm water | | | | the 'fast' speed gets through a thick coat quickly. You |
| to smooth the hairs flat after each section is clipped. | | | | can use the same blade sets and attachments as |
| Spraying the hairs with some leave-in conditioner also | | | | most Oster clippers, so combine a set of fine blades |
| helps, or you can put a little baby oil into the water | | | | with the precision settings to get a professional finish. |
| bucket to help smooth the hairs down. | | | | - Andis horse clippers. The Andis AGC Super 2-Speed |
| Another factor is temperature - when a horse is cold, | | | | is great value choice and still gets excellent results. The |
| the hairs stand up on end to trap warm air. When you | | | | two speed motor, like the Oster Golden A5, gives you |
| clip, after you've finished a section and have smoothed | | | | the quick option if you have a lot of horses to do or |
| the hairs down, make sure you keep your horse | | | | need to get through a heavy coat. The Andis has a |
| warm. A light cotton blanket or sheet laid over the | | | | super-cooled motor, so unlike other clippers it doesn't |
| newly clipped sections won't catch the hairs, and will | | | | need any air vents - this means you don't get a draft |
| keep your horse cosy - and the hairs flat. Likewise, | | | | blowing the unclipped hairs around, and so you can get |
| keep your clipped horse warm before you go into the | | | | a really smooth, even finish. Not only can you use a |
| arena at your show! | | | | range of Andis blades, but this Andis model is |
| Step two - have the right tools for the job | | | | compatible with Oster A5 range, so you can be sure |
| To get a good shine, you need the smoothest possible | | | | you can always get replacement blades. |
| finish from your clip. If you are clipping for shows, or | | | | Step three - maintain your horse clippers |
| clipping frequently, that means you should invest in the | | | | Finally, to get the smoothest finish and the best shine, |
| best horse clippers you can afford for your horse | | | | you must take good care of your clippers. Clean the |
| grooming supplies. Most major equine clipper suppliers | | | | blades as you clip - hairs caught in the blades will lead |
| offer both corded and rechargeable models, and each | | | | to rough edges! Keep the blades oiled, and let them |
| has their own benefits. Cordless horse clippers are | | | | cool down if they start to get hot. For the best shine, |
| usually quieter, and you don't risk getting tangled up in | | | | you want the hairs cut as cleanly as possible, and that |
| the cord - or not being able to reach all parts of your | | | | means sharp blades. If a good shine is important to |
| horse, so they are good for fidgety or nervous horses. | | | | you, then keep a few sets of blades in your horse |
| If you don't have easy access to electrical sockets, | | | | grooming supplies - that way you always have a |
| you may have to opt for a rechargeable model. | | | | sharp set for each clip, and you have spares for when |
| Corded models have the benefit that you don't need | | | | you need to get the blades resharpened. |
| to recharge them, so if you have a big horse or one | | | | Properly maintained, your clippers can be one of the |
| with a very thick coat, several horses to clip, or need | | | | most useful tools in your horse grooming supplies. For |
| to clip often, a corded model is probably more | | | | a hard working horse in winter, or one that needs to |
| convenient. | | | | dazzle in the show ring, a good quality set of clippers |
| First, always choose clippers from a reliable | | | | and replacement blades will be the first step to both |
| manufacturer. This way, you will get a good warranty, | | | | your horse's comfort, and to your success! |
| and replacement blades will be easy to find. Plus, you | | | | |