How do I clip a horse??

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Could someone please explian the most effective and fast way to clip a horse?My mare has lots of whorls in her coat. Are these hard to clip? What kind of blade should I use? Also, my horse has a very brittle tail that is harsh to the touch. Store-bought moisturizing products don't seem to make much of a difference.Is their a home-remedy that would work?

-- Edie (lucricausa@highland.net), January 25, 2002

Answers

years ago a freind of mine that showed horse's took baby oil to the mane and tail of a Palomino they wanted to show. It took a few weeks but worked very well for her. She would work the oil in, by hand, completly soaking it, comb and leave it in. She did this every other day for about 4-wks. It turned the mare's course mane and tail so soft it was hard to believe it was the same animal.

-- Tim Allen (www.goathillfarm50@aol.com), January 25, 2002.

I received a video on clipping horses when I bought my last pair of clippers. You can have it for the price of shipping if you want it.

-- shari (smillers@snowcrest.net), January 25, 2002.

Edie, Your mare sounds interesting. Is she a Bashkir Curly? What part are you planning to clip? Clipping in January? Tell us more please. By the way, baby oil is great stuff on a horse. It doesn't stay greasy and does the job. Washes out naturally eventually if your horse is outside. I was thinking that lanolin (from the pharmacist or a sheep keeper) would be good stuff for a harsh mane/tail. Don't oil the saddle area tho! LOL.

-- Susan in Northern Michigan (cobwoman@yahoo.com), January 25, 2002.

You need good clippers to body clip a horse- the small fetlock, and bridle path clippers just won't do it. I think mine are Sunbeam A5 gold, or something like that. Do you just want to do a clip so they cool out quicker, or do you show? If just to cool out quicker do a hunter clip- under the neck, chest, between the front legs. Leave the hair on the legs from gaskin down. If you're going to show do a full clip, only leaving the saddle area covered with winter coat, lately I've been taking that area off too and using a thin felt pad under the regular pads to avoid rubbing. It looks nicer when it grows out. I've never had a problem with whorls in the coat, but I don't have any experience with Baskir Curly horses, if that's what you own. Oil your clippers well, and use Cool Lube to keep the motor cool. Whatever clip you do you'll have to blanket the horse to keep it warm.

On the mane and tail being rough, I've had good luck with Cowboy Magic products.

Feel free to e-mail me if you have more questions.

Stacy in NY

-- Stacy (KincoraFarm@aol.com), January 26, 2002.


We clip our horses in the spring for shows.I use an oster a-5 with a number 10 snap on blade(have a spare)we go against the grain or against the way the hair grows.In the whorls you clip into them.WE have used big cattle clippers to body clip,then the little ones for detail,I would suggest that for a full size horse.Its easier on your clippers if you bath your horse the day before,then we bath them after as well.by the way mine are minis ,good luck and call the chiropractor...;) teri

-- teri murphy (Dnsmacbeth@aol.com), January 26, 2002.


I have tried a lot of things to make mane and tail hair softer and also to make it grow faster and not tangle and the best I have found is Vaseline Intensive Care hand lotion. (Not of course the same as vaseline the ointment.) I smear it in liberally and leave it in. I think biotin vitamin supplements might make a difference in the brittleness. Good Luc

-- Leslie in MW OR (leslie@webolium.com), January 27, 2002.

I've found the product Cowboy Magic to work quite good at detangling manes and tails and adding softness. Most horse supply stores sell it now.

-- Holly (NYHorse@hotmail.com), March 16, 2002.

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