WHILE YOU’RE CLIPPING…

Oil blades at least every 10 minutes and keep a check on how warm the blades are getting. Keep a spare set of blades handy to change over to when doing the head and sensitive areas, so you can be certain they’re totally cool. Use proper clipper oil, not WD40, cooking oil or linseed oil etc. It needs to be a light oil to enable the blades to continue to cut correctly. Use a blade coolant and lubricant if blades are starting to get very warm. Do not immerse clipper blades in any type of liquid to cool while still running. The safest solution is to change to another set of blades which are cold. Keep the clipper cable over your shoulder while clipping — this keeps it away from feet and legs. If your horse does tread on the cable, check the cable isn’t split before continuing. Clip in long lines, going against the coat, applying an even pressure. Slightly overlap each line you’re clipping to avoid unsightly tram lines. If the blades struggle to cut, check the blade tension or change to a new set to see if this helps. Don’t force them through the coat — this will pull on the coat and upset your horse. It’s quicker and easier to use a set of small trimmers to tidy up any difficult or sensitive areas.