It is important to follow a basic clipper care routine which will ensure your clipper’s durability and usefulness through many clipping seasons. By following the few simple steps outlined below you can minimise the mechanical stresses on all clipper parts while in use and help ensure that your clipper investment will pay dividends for many years to come.
Start with a clean horse
It may sound obvious, but you will be surprised at how much a thorough bath and drying of your horse’s coat will extend the longevity of your clippers. A dirty or wet coat will dull the clipper blades unnecessarily and can jam your clippers.
Correct blade adjustment
Use the right size blade for the clipping job and adjust the blade tension as needed. Most clippers have at least two settings for different cutting lengths. Use the adjustment tool on the clippers or change your blades for closer clips such as trimming whiskers or for longer clips such as trace clips.
NOTE: If your clipper is not cutting cleanly – do not tighten the blade tensioning! This will only take the blades closer together, run them hot and overheat the machine, and eventually strip the motor. Instead, stop clipping, clean your blades and clipper, assess if the blade needs sharpening or replacement. Oil the blades on top and down the sides before proceeding.
Each clipper brand has a recommended blade tensioning process. Consult the manual or contact your nearest Western Shoppe branch. Our stocked Equi-Tek and GTS brands: Turn all the way in and then release 1 and 1/2 times. Use the mark on the screw as your point of reference.
Clean clipper blades during a clipping job
It is important to periodically clean the clipper blades while you work. Gently brush the clipper blades with a small brush to remove loose hair that gathers in between the teeth. You should also apply oil throughout long clipping jobs to keep the clipper parts running smoothly. Use only purposely made clipper oil which can be purchased from your tack shop.
Use a coolant
When working on extended clipping jobs such as mane hogging or a full body clip, use a clipper coolant to keep the clippers from overheating. Periodically check the clipper blades with your hand to gauge whether the blades are heating up. If the clipper blades are hot to the touch a good spray coolant will cool the clippers immediately and prevent the clipper blades from becoming uncomfortably hot for your horse.
Protect the electrical cord
During clipping it is important to take extra care of the clipper’s electrical cord, ensuring that neither you nor your horse accidentally steps on it. A frayed or damaged cord is potentially dangerous and must be replaced as soon as possible.
Clean the clipper after use
Oil the clipper blades after each clipping job to prevent corrosion of the blades and to help keep them in good working order. Periodically the clipper blades should be removed from the clipper and briefly soaked in blade wash. Dry them thoroughly before putting them back onto the clippers.
Keep clipper blades sharp
As soon as clipper blades become dull they should be replaced or sharpened to avoid putting unnecessary added stress on the clipper motor. This will ensure fast and neat clipping jobs with every use. Rusty blades or blades with broken teeth should be discarded and replaced instead of sharpened.
Proper clipper storage
After each use, ensure that all clipper parts are clean, wind the clipper cord loosely and store the clippers in a clean, dry environment. Avoid damp or dusty conditions, as this may cause rust or corrosion of clipper parts.
