# 10 blade # 50 blade No blend
Clipping and
By Melissa Powell and Brooke Sheridan
Coming from the “ big ” horse world ( just as many of you have ) I ’ ve been a seasonal or event clipper . My clipping experience included only whiskers , bridle paths and fetlock feathers when the need arose . Consequently , I was amazed to realize how much clipping a Miniature owner is expected to do , not only for the show ring , but for other activities such as therapy , parades and general good health and comfort for the horse living in warm climates . Owners can invest a small fortune in clippers and blades , making this equipment a significant part of the expense of owning a Miniature .
High Blend , no makeup
Luckily , the Miniature horse industry has its own resident clipping expert , Brooke Sheridan , also known as Brooke the Clipper Girl . Although she might not look old enough to have 16 years of experience , the staggering number of show clips Brooke accomplishes each year yields her more than enough practice to know what does and doesn ’ t work when clipping a Mini . Accomplishing more than 300 clips at Worlds and Nationals every year along with her- by appointment , state by state schedule she keeps throughout the show season makes for one busy girl !
Brooke recently gave AMHA Annual Meeting attendees a free seminar on clipping in February where questions bombarded her from do-it-yourself groomers like myself , who were keen to learn some tips for a better clip . Here are a few of Brooke ’ s tricks of the trade that she shared :
✓Clean , clean , clean and dry . Bathing is best but if you can ’ t , use a cattle bloweryour Mini might be a bit leery at first , but the hair blown clean clips almost as well as shampooed hair .
✓Pre-clip or first clip of the year- use a 10 blade . This allows you to check for fleas , lice , fungus or other health problems before your show clip .
✓Clip in this order- neck , body , legs , then the head . If the horse is skittish , start with the rump / hips .
✓Use a 201 Clamp as your twitch . Purchase these at any hardware store , stays in place and will not mark up or injure the horse .
✓Try to keep the horse happy and positive . If you must twitch , do it only onceusually when clipping ears and legs . Try holding the tail up on a fidgety young horse , instead of a twitch .
75 % of a good clip is your equipment . Don ’ t scrimp on clippers or blades . Your choice of clipper is a personal preference , but when prompted , Brooke will choose an Andis 5-speed clipper over other equipment .
✓Clean your clippers often . Canned air blows and cleans them quickly and easily .
✓Oil your clippers every 15 minutes while clipping . Oil is best , just a few drops . Cool Lube spray can damage your clippers and WD40 will ruin them as well .
✓Cordless clippers are convenient . Great for touchups and easier for babies who might be nervous of scared of the cord .
16 Miniature Horse World JUNE / JULY 2016