We live in wet countr but most temps stay around or above 32. (Western WA). My mares get worked 4-5 days a week, always to a sweat. Then they sit under their coolers until they are cool. This can take awhile. Does anyone trace clip their barrel horses? Or any other variety of clip? I have never done it and don't want a disaster. Not worried about the clipping itself, I would have someone come show me, but more so the too cold or health factors involved with it. I don't want to create problems, trying to see if I can make HER more comfortable? Thanks!
I ride mostly distance now and trace clipping is really helpful for cooling out and keeping them clean when riding through the winter. We have pretty mild winters most years. And I am able to blanket when needed. I do something of a modified trace clip. I'll see if I can find a picture.
TrailGirl - 2014-12-08 2:16 PM I ride mostly distance now and trace clipping is really helpful for cooling out and keeping them clean when riding through the winter. We have pretty mild winters most years. And I am able to blanket when needed. I do something of a modified trace clip. I'll see if I can find a picture.
Pictures would be great! Thanks! I'm trying to find someone around me that has done it so I can watch the first time! What size blade do you use?!
We compete in eventing now but we body clip ours, everything but their legs. They have numerous sheets and blankets and are stalled when it's super cold or raining. Makes it much easier to cool them out. Have someone who knows how to clip show you the first couple times - it takes a lot of practice to do it well!
Posted 2014-12-10 8:22 AM Subject: RE: Trace Clips
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Posts: 1182 Location: Do I hear Banjos?
I can't seem to find a decent picture of one of mine clipped. But...here is a link to a diagram that may help. For mine I did a combo of the Trace and Irish. I did the Irish clip but stopped and didn't clip any of the head...like the neck/head on the trace clip. This version helps them cool out and with the girth area clipped it is MUCH easier to keep it clean and prevent rubs when I can't rinse him off in the winter.
As for the blade...I think the clipper you use makes ALL the difference. I have a Lister Star and it is fantastic! MUCH easier and neater results than with my little standard Oster. My blade is adjustable but I think most use a #10 blade. Some tipe would be:
- The cleaner the horse is the better it goes and the longer the blade will stay sharp. -Horse must be dry -Cross tie the horse if possible. Easier to work around them and keep them facing forward. - Clip against the direction of the hair growth -Overlap strokes -Oil the blades and allow them to cool pretty frequently. - Draw out your pattern on the horse with a bar of soap. Once you get that even it's easy to just clip within the pattern and get both sides even. If you have a grey horse try colored chalk maybe? -if you do it on a windy day...Do not wear chap stick.
We have pretty mild winters, but my 20 year old gelding grows a super long, thick winter coat every year and takes forever in the spring to shed so I gave him a trace clip a couple of years ago. Made a HUGE difference in his comfort and made it easier on me in the long run! It wasn't pretty but it worked lol. I've never clipped a horse on the body before so I was super nervous. After a couple of beers I thought "this is easy"!!! I'll try to find pictures for y'all to laugh at...at the shoots when they introduced me they'd say "here comes Lindsay, don't give her alcohol and a pair of clippers"...
Trace Clips
