All around Australia horses are getting haircuts. It's necessary if a horse is going to do hard work in cold weather and the basic body clip, done with care, makes horses comfortable and healthy.

But there's more to clipping than meets the eye, when it comes to the final preparation of our show horses there is more to clippers and blades than most people ever consider.

The main question is…

what size blades does one use ?

For those looking for a slick, showring finish, size really does matter. You may be at home with the large body clippers, they are fine for the purpose of just that, but you should give some thought to the use of the smaller clippers and blades.

Small handheld clippers are able to take a range of blades, and they enable you to clip smarter and smoother. Small clippers and blades are used around the head and lower legs, as they are easier to manoeuvre in small areas and different directions.

Most professional clippers prefer clippers with the ability to accept different sized blades.  These are usually available as:

  • size 30 blades – 0.25 mm cutting length
  • size 15 blades - 1 mm cutting length
  • size 10 blades - 1.5mm cutting length
  • size 8.5 blades -  2mm cutting length

The above blades are all about 4.4 centimeters in width and are fine for most ponies and horses, but if you are working with Miniature Horses or very small ponies, you may find it easier to use blades that are smaller in width again.

Helpful Hints to get that sharp look

  • Around the muzzle use size 30.

  • Around the jaw, for smoothing and thinning the hair by using the clippers in a combing effect, size 10.
  • Under the head size 30.
  • Clip out stars and blazes. This will depend on the length of hair. Thin hair - size 15, or size 10 for thicker hair.
  • Outside ears, clip in the direction of the lie of the hair and use size 15 to neaten and thin the hair.
  • Around the edges of the ears use size 30, to give a sharp look.
  • Inside the ears, use size 30 or size  15
  • Bridle paths, use size 30, for a neat finish.
  • Socks, use size 10.
  • Finish around the coronet band with size 15.

You can use the smaller clipper blades also to tone do scars and splints, carefully taking away and blending thick hair.

  • Tip…. Place a generous amount (well not to large that you can’t get into the ear to clip it and not small amounts that could lodge further into the ear, were you can’t get it out)  of cotton wool inside the ear so no debris gets inside. Apart from comfort of no loose hairs falling down this also deadens the clipper noise and many horses will turn out to be more accepting of the trimming.

Purchasing Clippers

When purchasing a small set of clippers keep in mind that they will last for some time, high powered but compact and smooth operating is what you should look for when you consider small clippers.

Once again quality is expensive but in the long run a far better choice, as they are more likely to our perform and last longer than the cheaper hand held clippers.

With the more expensive units you are paying for a better motor, cooling system and overall performance. The set we use here have been clipping for the past 10 years.

If you’re after more precise clipping techniques then the ability of your small clippers accepting a range of blades is far better.

Remember: don't place unnecessary strain on the motor regularly wash the blades in Blade Wash during clipping this flushes out any particles that get caught between  blades.

The moment the blades appear not to be gliding easy through the hair, remove them and have them sharpen, sharp, clean blades will give you a smooth, clean finish.

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