I know I read an article or blog post by one of the UL rider’s grooms about body clipping and some ways of reducing being covered in hair by using baby powder or something? I can’t find it n ow, but would appreciate anyone’s “special” tips in making the process scratchy. All suggestions are welcome. 
I found a rain suit (pants and jacket) at a local outlet store. I have reserved it for clipping. I zip the jacket all the way up, and pull the pants over my boots. I never get that gross itchy feeling anymore.
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I’ve just learned to embrace the itch. Hair is just going to get places it shouldn’t, there’s no way around it. I usually have multiple horses to clip, so I do them all at once at the end of the day when I can go change afterwards. I tend to wear less clothing, rather than more, as I hate when hair gets under my sleeves. I’d rather just wipe down with a damp rag when done, and change shirts until I can get to the shower. I’ve been known to clip wearing a tank top at 45 degrees. 
If you can manage it, try to clip the horse when wet (not damp, but WET). The hair will simply fall to the floor instead of blowing back at you. It can also make it easier to see lines and missed spots. Beware though that as the horse starts to dry, clipping can get difficult and ugly…get him wet again or wait for him to completely dry before you continue. BTDT!
Tip #1: pay someone else to do it.
Haha of course not, we are all frugal eventers here. Con a working student to do it for you. Oh wait… you don’t have one of those. Ok, get a painter’s coverall suit (including hood). Prepare to be full of hair anyway. Embrace it. Then go see eye doctor for the slice you got in your retina from a horse hair (true story). Luckily it cleared up with antibiotic drops.
Tip #2: wear goggles.
Tip #3: buy a pair of 99 cent cotton gloves - these will be your dedicated clipping gloves and live in your clipping box. For after 2 hours of clipping in an unheated barn, your fingers WILL be cold. Ditto buying a dedicated “hair” hat or headband. Don’t bother washing these items. Just keep them til next year; they will feel awful when you put them on, but it will all be the same after 5 minutes of clipping.
Tip #4: if your horse hates being clipped, start with an easy bit (shoulder/neck), move to the tough bits (legs, head) and finish with the easy bits. You can stay less hairy by starting mostly with legs & head, as it’s mostly finicky with not much hair, then finish with all the big expanses of hair.
Tip #5: Are you sure you can’t con someone else into doing this? :lol:
Clip wet.
[QUOTE=EventerAJ;7811383]
I’ve just learned to embrace the itch. Hair is just going to get places it shouldn’t, there’s no way around it. I usually have multiple horses to clip, so I do them all at once at the end of the day when I can go change afterwards. I tend to wear less clothing, rather than more, as I hate when hair gets under my sleeves. I’d rather just wipe down with a damp rag when done, and change shirts until I can get to the shower. I’ve been known to clip wearing a tank top at 45 degrees.
If you can manage it, try to clip the horse when wet (not damp, but WET). The hair will simply fall to the floor instead of blowing back at you. It can also make it easier to see lines and missed spots. Beware though that as the horse starts to dry, clipping can get difficult and ugly…get him wet again or wait for him to completely dry before you continue. BTDT![/QUOTE]
THis is a great tip. I never would have thought of that so now I can’t wait to try this out on one of my horses, though I am typically dangerous with clippers, according to my trainer.
I tried the wet clipping and it didn’t work well, at least with my lister legends. I keep two pairs of clippers on hand and alternate so they don’t heat up. I also do the nylon track suit. My listers don’t blow hair in my face like the oster clipmaster , but they heat up faster.
I agree rain suits are handy.
Although I was body clipping in 90 DEGREE weather last weekend :dead: and there is no way I could handle that kind of heat in a rain suit!!
I just wear something with a tight collar (like a men’s cut small T shirt), some yoga pants (that come down to my shoes), a hat, glasses - and go at it.
I used baby wipes to get the hair of my skin (and face!!)
And I bring a change of clothes to the barn. A FULL change, including a fresh bra and underwear - because hair can get EVERYWHERE :eek:
Oh - and I switched from using a Oster Clip master - with that horrible fan that blasts the hair right at you - to an Andis ACG, and I will NEVER go back to a clipper with a horrible blower like the Oster!
-oh, and I tried the “wet clip” method. Didn’t like it at all!
[QUOTE=vali;7811737]
… My listers don’t blow hair in my face like the oster clipmaster …[/QUOTE]
I use the Lister Star’s and they are incredible! I find that I really don’t have that much hair on me at all, because they don’t blow hair everywhere like Osters. They do get a bit warm, but I just take breaks.
So as to save me from starting another thread on clippers on the Horse Care forum, I’ll ask here, since we’re on the subject. I am seriously considering buying a very gently used pair of Lister Stars for a steal. But I’ve never used them Listers myself (have seen them in action and have seen the reviews here). I worry that they won’t hold up to the my level of use after some of the things I’ve seen. So, can they deal with maybe 3 or 4 “normal” clips a season plus one gnarly, woolly beast clip? I usually clip Toby 2 or 3 times, Neigh (the woolly beast) once, and may occasionally pick up a clip job here or there. Can they do it, or do I need to get the bigger ones?
So as to save me from starting another thread on clippers on the Horse Care forum, I’ll ask here, since we’re on the subject. I am seriously considering buying a very gently used pair of Lister Stars for a steal. But I’ve never used them Listers myself (have seen them in action and have seen the reviews here). I worry that they won’t hold up to the my level of use after some of the things I’ve seen. So, can they deal with maybe 3 or 4 “normal” clips a season plus one gnarly, woolly beast clip? I usually clip Toby 2 or 3 times, Neigh (the woolly beast) once, and may occasionally pick up a clip job here or there. Can they do it, or do I need to get the bigger ones?
I have older lister star clippers (I’ll have had them for 10 years :disillusionment: ) I haven’t had any problem with them minus getting warm. I’m planning on clipping 4 horses (one being a Fjord, so incredibly hairy!) next week or the week after. I do have multiple pairs of blades for mine though. Don’t know if that helps at all, but they have been good clippers, though I find them a bit heavy. I have a bit of a problematic shoulder, which happens to be my dominant side. I have to take breaks to give my shoulder a break, not so much the clippers needing one.
ETA- anyone have any tips for clipping a chestnut??? Last time I clipped a chestnut he looked like edward scissor hands had a few to many drinks. Why did I not buy another dark bay!
[QUOTE=yellowbritches;7812002]
So as to save me from starting another thread on clippers on the Horse Care forum, I’ll ask here, since we’re on the subject. I am seriously considering buying a very gently used pair of Lister Stars for a steal. But I’ve never used them Listers myself (have seen them in action and have seen the reviews here). I worry that they won’t hold up to the my level of use after some of the things I’ve seen. So, can they deal with maybe 3 or 4 “normal” clips a season plus one gnarly, woolly beast clip? I usually clip Toby 2 or 3 times, Neigh (the woolly beast) once, and may occasionally pick up a clip job here or there. Can they do it, or do I need to get the bigger ones?[/QUOTE]
Yes, they can handle all of that. I clipped my hairy yak of a horse 2 times last year, and once this season already and the blades are still sharp.
I got mine for a STEAL on eBay - just over $100 and brand new. (Yes, $100.) Box was sealed! Not sure how that happened but I’m glad it did.
[QUOTE=North Dakota;7812015]
ETA- anyone have any tips for clipping a chestnut??? Last time I clipped a chestnut he looked like edward scissor hands had a few to many drinks. Why did I not buy another dark bay![/QUOTE]
Tips for a good clip (any color horse!)
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Sharp blades. Two sets preferred, so you can swap out when one pair gets hot.
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Clean horse. Any grit or dust will dull your blades faster. Give him a bath and (the only time I will ever say this) coat him with show sheen all over.
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Technique. Use short “scrubbing” motions against the hair in oblique directions as well as straight against growth. Don’t just cut in long, slow sweeps (that invariably wiggle if your horse twitches). You can go a lot faster with short 4-5" strokes, overlapping your swipes. Work in patches: mid neck, lower neck, shoulder, girth area, belly, etc. To erase clipper lines, hold the clippers so that you cut at a 45-degree angle to the clipper tracks. For example, on the horse’s barrel: instead of clipping along a line from tail to shoulder, run at an angle from belly to wither.
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Consistent pressure. Keep the blades flat and firm against the skin. Avoid pressing down and digging the blades into the skin-- that will leave a small welt which LOOKS like a track mark and will drive you nuts trying to clip it out…it can’t be done because it’s raised skin, not hair. Not to worry, it will disappear by the next day.
[QUOTE=North Dakota;7812015]
ETA- anyone have any tips for clipping a chestnut??? Last time I clipped a chestnut he looked like edward scissor hands had a few to many drinks. Why did I not buy another dark bay![/QUOTE]
I have a chestnut!! I just clipped her last Tuesday. During the process, I was thinking about how much more difficult it was to clip her vs my grey. I think the dramatic color change is the main reason why chestnuts are so problematic. I wanted to clip her entire face this year. She sweats more on her face than anywhere else on her body, so I sedated her this time. She was much less tempermental, making the job a lot easier. Other than that, my suggestions are sharp blades and patience!
I just finished clipping two horses wet. It was amazing. The hair just rolled off and the horses never fussed about hot blades because the wet hair prevented them from heating up. No lines anywhere. The only thing I will change for the next horse is wash and rinse one side, clip and then do the same on the other side so that I avoid dry hair. I will never dry clip a horse again. This method is so much easier, cleaner and faster.
EventerAJ- Thank you! especially the consistent pressure. I find that I put a little to much pressure on at the beginning getting that welt, any suggestions on how to minimize this?
This is the first chestnut that I’ve owned, I had a collection of bays and a grey previously, even if I clipped them really badly they looked okay after a week, max 2! The last chestnut I clipped, did not look better in 2 weeks, now this was years ago, and I’m hoping that the clipping between now and then has improved my skills!
I may give clipping wet a go, depending on weather!
I use one of those disposable painting/hazmat looking suits over my clothes! You can pick them up at any hardware store, though one size fits all is a bit of a stretch, be prepared to roll the sleeves and look as though you could hide 2 more people inside! I’ve purchased them online for the past few years and get a package of 10. You will not look glamorous, but you will not be super itchy either. I don’t know if I could clip without them now! I do not miss horse hair in my sports bra!
Other tips have mostly been mentioned. . . I don’t clip wet, but I do use either Showsheen or the Calm Coat pre clip product. They seem to help the clippers glide through the hair a bit easier. A super clean horse is a must also. I do try to keep 2 sets of blades for changing out when one gets hot, cool lube helps a little.
I do like the Lister Star clippers, and am coveting them, but unfortunately, I will have to wait until my current clippers die. . .
Has anyone tried these?
I won’t buy Osters. Too much flying hair and those suckers are heavy after a bit. I’ve never tried the Lister Star clippers. I have the smaller Andis AGC (the maroon ones) and love them, but they are slowly dying. I have them serviced regularly but he can only work so much magic on clippers that weren’t cared for properly for the first ten years of their life. 
This is all good advice. Now tell us how to do legs. I always do a full bod clip but leave legs. This year I’m contemplating the legs bc of course he’s a chestnut and perhaps one of the hairiest TBs on the planet so his legs look silly all furry and feathery! Do I use my Osters or little face clippers? Makes me nerrrrviss.
[QUOTE=RiverBendPol;7813768]
This is all good advice. Now tell us how to do legs. I always do a full bod clip but leave legs. This year I’m contemplating the legs bc of course he’s a chestnut and perhaps one of the hairiest TBs on the planet so his legs look silly all furry and feathery! Do I use my Osters or little face clippers? Makes me nerrrrviss.[/QUOTE]
When I do legs, I do as much as the horse will tolerate/I can mange with the big clippers, then finish with small clippers. For Toby, that means getting to his knee/hock, then pulling out the little ones, because he does NOT tolerate the big clippers any lower (TBH, he doesn’t appreciate big clippers ANYWHERE). I’ve had a few horses that I can run the big guns up their cannons and maybe hit the big chunks along the tendons, but a lot of horses just find that too intense of a sensation. But it is handy to do if you’ve got a real feathery horse.
Also, I am lazy and Toby is intolerant, so I’ll often take a couple of days to do all four legs. He might look silly for a couple of days, but it saves my back and his patience. I also used to use clippers that got wicked hot (Andis…I’ll never use them again), so I could only manage a leg or two before they got too hot for either of us.
Oh, a tip! Which is especially good for legs. CLEAN and Show Sheened (let the Show Sheen dry first). Makes it much easier to get the clippers through the hair. Especially on fuzzy, fuzzy legs (I will rub it in on really fuzzy coats and hair, like on Neigh or legs).
