If you are using an
electric clipping machine, ensure that the cable is
in good condition with no obvious marks or wire exposed.
Check that the plug is OK and always ensure you have
a circuit breaker attached. You can get the plug in
variety or one that is permanently connected to the
clipper. This really is an essential bit of kit, and
anyone using a machine without one fitted are putting
themselves and their horse at risk. If you are using
the battery rechargeable clippers that have a short
curly lead connecting to a battery pack around the waist,
check that the plug-in connectors fit properly.
The rechargeable clippers with no trailing wires are
the safest all round machines to use, and require little
maintenance as the machine is in a totally sealed unit,
so no hair and dust can get in and cause damage. They
also have a fool proof blade system, in that it is self
tensioning, so no need for tension sets and remembering
at what point they have to be tensioned.
However, this and all clipping machines need the blades
checked and kept clean. We advise after clipping, to
remove the blades from the machines, brush them off
with a soft brush or cloth and put in a protective box
or envelope. If the blades have been dropped and teeth
are missing in the middle, then it is best to discard
or use them for mane thinning. If it is just a tooth
at the end that has been broken, generally these can
be sharpened and re-used, but care must be taken not
to nick the horse as they can still be quite sharp on
the corners.
After every two to three clips, you may feel that the
blades are not clipping quite as well. Normally if the
coat is clean, a set of blades should manage up to about
five clips, but generally speaking two to three is average.
If this is the case, it is best to send them away for
re-sharpening. It is money well spent to use sharp blades.
One of the many problems that blunt blades cause is
clipper-shy horses. Having hair pulled when clippers
are used is not a pleasant experience, and most horses,
will react unfavourably the next time they are clipped.
Always remember to oil blades before, during and after
clipping. Before you start clipping, run clipper blade
oil along the teeth and either side, and in any oil
holes, wipe off any excess with a soft cloth. When oiling,
use clipper oil in preference to the aerosol spray,
other types are generally too heavy for this type of
machine. Depending on the type of clipper, you have
you will then have to oil very regularly, ie about every
five minutes during clipping. Oil liberally between
the teeth, the blades at the back and the guide blocks.
Trimmers, normally just require oiling across the blades.
This ensure that the blades are kept well lubricated
which in turn cause less stress to the motor and keeps
the machine cool.
Brush off any excess hair before re-oiling, an old
toothbrush is ideal for this. NEVER dip blades in petrol,
paraffin or diesel or any other liquid to cool off or
clean, it is extremely dangerous and strips the blades
of their lubrication. This will also cause the blades
to blunt quickly.
If the blades are being put away for any length of
time, lightly oil them before storing. Do not wash off
with water as this will cause rusting almost immediately.
If the blades heat up quickly, it is worth checking
that the tension has been set correctly for the machine
you are using. Manufacturers design clippers slightly
differently to their competitors, so it is no good thinking
that one way of tensioning a machine is going to work
for all machines. Check with the manufacturer's guide
before use or speak to a reputable clipper dealer who
will be able to give you the correct advice. Incorrect
tensioning causes a lot of frustration but can be easily
resolved.
If you look at a tension set which comes with most
clippers except the rechargeable tension free Laube
Lazor clippers which I mentioned before, you will see
that it comes in three parts - the nut, spring and bolt.
If you do not have all three parts, or the spring is
warped or worn out, the tension required to work the
blades at their optimum will not happen. Again, problems
like "my blades are chewing up the coat", or "its leaving
patches of hair", or "its just not clipping but the
blades are moving" are quite usual problems that are
encountered. A spare tension set is worth keeping, so
that clipping can continue.
Once the clipping has been completed, the machine
can be brushed off and if possible, remove the air filter
to clean out any trapped hair. This should be done regularly
as hair builds up very quickly and will then cause the
motor to heat up and eventually damage the machine.
Remove blades, brush off any excess hair and store in
a safe dry place.
It is advisable to have your machine serviced by a
professional engineer at the end of each clipping season,
and more frequently if it is being used several times
a week during the winter months. It is also worth keeping
a set of spare blades, so clipping can continue when
blades go blunt.
Be prepared this season, so that clipping can be as
trouble free as possible. It is one of the least pleasant
jobs going, but with equipment that is reliable and
in good order, will make the job easier in the long
run, and without compromising safety of the horse, handler
and operator.
If you would like a free leaflet
on "Everything you need to know about clipping and more
…." and 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
