1. How many horses you will clip on a regular
basis, and how often.
2. Who will be using them? It is worth bearing
in mind that smaller people will find a slimmer clipper
easier to manage.
3. Do you have access to mains electricity? If
not, a battery operated clipper is the answer.
4. Do you have young or nervous horses to clip?
If this is the case opt for a cable-free, Machine. The
12 volt Lister Showman operated from a battery on a
waist belt, or from a lead attached to a car battery
is a good option. Although for the really nervous horse,
who cannot tolerate the noise of a large clipper, try
one of the small trimmers first, available in mains
or battery, and then progress to a larger machine when
the horse is comfortable. The range of clippers available
is extensive, but basically breaks down into four divisions.
Small trimmers, large trimmers, full size machines and
re-chargeables.
1. Small Trimmers
Mains or cordless for
trimming small areas, e.g. face, ears, fine leg hair
or any awkward places. A good introduction to clipping
for young or nervous horses. We have used for many years
the Moser Rex which is a mains trimmer, it has a lever
on the side which gives blade adjustment, particularly
useful for merging in the clip when used for clipping
heads. The Lister Meteor is another very good trimmer,
this is cordless, but with an attachment to work from
the mains if necessary. Lister offer the choice of fine,
medium and coarse blades with this trimmer.
2. Large Trimmers
These midway machines, have been designed for light
use on fine coated ponies and horses where part clips
and trimming are needed. Wahl have produced a very good
little machine called the Stable Pro which has been
on the market for several years, and now Moser have
also produced a machine called the Max 45 which alongside
the Stable Pro has been developed for the one/two horse
or pony owner. They take a little longer to clip with,
as the blades are not as wide as a full size machine.
However, they are quiet and light to hold, need no tensioning
and again, good as an introduction for young or nervous
animals.
Both machines allow the blades to be changed for a
narrower one, which then means it can be used in the
same way as a small trimmer, to get in the difficult
areas. They are both available as mains clippers.
TIP - It is useful to use a trimmer for all the difficult
places. These shown are re-chargeable - great for putting
in your pocket & taking to shows.
3. Full Size Machines
There are a good range of both mains, 12 volt and rechargeable,
to cater for all requirements.
Mains clippers are divided into two groups.
(i) Light to medium usage
This gives a good choice of clippers in this category.
All made by well known manufacturers and include the
Lister Neon, this is a new generation of clipper using
less power, creating less noise, but producing more
torque. Very user friendly with a slightly narrower
and lighter body than its predecessor, the Lister Stablemate.
Liveryman offer the Liveryman Arena, this
is a tried and tested machine, and was the original
machine that they launched the company with, and promoted
by the showjumper, John Whittaker.
It is a powerful 90 watt machine and is a very robust,
useful allround clipper. They have also, more recently
brought out the Liveryman Stallion. This again,
is a 90 watt machine, but has a new design to the hear
which makes it a lot quieter than the Arena, but still
just as powerful. This takes Heineger type blades.
Wolseley, who have been in the clipper business for
many years offer the Wolseley Swift. Again, a
good all round, workmanlike clipper. Similar to the
Liveryman Arena, and takes the same blade system.
Trimming ears - again
be careful - this 4yr old has taken it all in his stride.
Others are not always so easy.
(ii) Commercial/heavy usage
These clippers, have been designed with larger, more
powerful motors to cope with this kind of usage and
as such, are slightly heavier to hold and can be a bit
noisy. Mainly used by large yards and contract clippers,
the range includes the Lister Laser, a 170 watt mains
machine which can also be adapted for use on sheep and
cattle. Liveryman Mustang, a 300 watt mains machine,
which, like the Laser can be adapted for sheep and cattle,
and the Hauptner 2000. This is a German built clipper,
and out of the three mentioned, would be the slightly
smaller and lighter one to use. It has a powerful motor
and there are sheep blades available to allow for versatility.
It would also be the quietest of the three to operate.
4. Re-chargeables
At the time of writing, there are two good quality,
tried and tested machines on the market, namely the
Lister Showman and Laube Lazor. The Lister Showman,
manufactured in England by Lister Shearing, is undoubtedly
the best re-chargeable full size machine on the market.
Operated either from a battery pack around the waist,
or from leads off a car battery, it allows you approximately
3 hours clipping time and is a heavy duty machine. Very
economical to maintain, as there really is very little
servicing involved. The Laube Lazor, manufactured by
an American company, has very quickly made a name for
itself over here. We have stocked it for two seasons,
and have been very impressed with its capability and
versatility.
For the first timer or young person, it really is invaluable,
no tensioning is required, easy to hold and use, and
brilliant for nervous or young horses. It is probably
the quietest clipper on the market and has two speeds.
It comes with a wide, body blade, and this can be changed
for a narrower blade, for trimming any awkward places.
You do, however, have to allow a little longer on clipping
time, as the blade is not quite as wide as the Lister
Showman.
It is also worth remembering, that if you a replacing
a set of existing clippers, providing you have been
happy with the make, replace with the same make, as
your existing blades will fit on to your new machine.
If you change systems, you will have to change blades
too. However, as already mentioned, the Liveryman and
Wolseley machines do use the same blade system.
TIP - Trimming around the cornet band
makes a nice finish when clipping legs.
For Further information: on clipping, buying a set
of clippers and clipper maintenance, visit www.clippersharp.com
or contact
Clipper Sharp Clipper Services, Southwoods Farm, Culmstock,
Collumpton, Devon, EX15 3JX.
Tel: 01823 681076,
Fax: 01823 681076 or email: richard@clippersharp.com
