Does anyone have recommendations for how best to create neat squares while body clipping (ie leaving hair where horses may get spur rubs)? I have attempted this a time or two before, but my squares always come out looking fairly jagged.
TIA!
You can use masking tape to mark off the squares if you want guidelines. I have done some basic designs like hearts and initials and usually just use smaller clippers to do the initial outline.
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The lines that are horizontal - start about 1/4" bigger than you want to go, and do it in one steady run. Step back. Is it straight? Is it level? Adjust from there, using the “corner” of the blade to make minor adjustments.
For the lines that are vertical - you have to more or less nail this first try. Use a plumb line if you have to to get a marker line, on both sides of the shape.
For the side nearest the head, make a “scooping” motion with the clipper to land the blade exactly where you want it to start cutting. Blades pointed straight at the skin perpendicularly, then level them off to start cutting. To me, this is the easier side because you can see exactly where the clippers made contact.
For the side nearest the hindquarters, you’re going to do the same thing, but scoop “out” of the hair. Clip close to your line, then lift the clippers off the skin, or back them up if you’re going to use scissors to make a straight line with the longer hair. You want the hair at the edge of the shape to be trimmed, else it will never look crisp. I would start by scooping out early, then creep it in to the desired line. You can always use scissors to clean up any floofy stragglers, but the clipper line will be the clipper line, no adjusting after the fact.
I hope this made sense, it’s hard to describe what I do without hand motions 
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Thank you both! Really great suggestions. 
Fingers crossed that I’m able to execute them well. 
I do a lot of partial and trace clipping and I measure and mark my lines using a sewing measuring tape and chalk or dry erase marker depending on the color of the hair. Once I’m sure it’s even side to side, I use blue masking tape to tape my lines. I can’t draw/clip a straight line to save my life…You will have to fuss with the edges where the hair doesn’t grow straight to or away from the tape.
