I know you were all eagerly anticipating this, right?
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| Sorry for the lack of creativity and fun this year... |
Okay, maybe not.
With Pig back in "full" work and the weather in Maryland much more temperate than what we've been used to in Indiana, I felt a full body clip was warranted right off. Poor pony has been sweating just standing in his field, and probably feels much better in his newer, svelter, coat.
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| "Wait. Why am I back in this barn? 'Just to dry' you say? Don't lie to me!" |
This year I approached things much like last. I used dormosedan to take the edge of Pig's nerves, gave him a bath, and sprayed him down liberally with show sheen. The only difference was in the blades I used. This year I bought a faux body clipping blade, the wide Oster 10.
Unfortunately I realized the wide blade doesn't cut quiiiiiite the same as a regular Oster 10, as noted by the awful clip lines. I also barely made it through Pig's whole coat with one blade. I need to find a place that sharpens blades ASAP.
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| "Guys. I am so drunk right now." |
Even drugged it was a pain to get near Pig's ears. This horse is weird. I can do his bridle path with zero issue on any day of the week, but clip on his neck in the same area? All out war. He also gave me a hilarious impersonation of a drunk old man kicking. It was so slow motion, I had to giggle. He held his leg up in the air for a minute as if to say "Hey! Come over here so I can hit you with my foot!"
Sorry horse. Nope.
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| A quiet night at the barn... |
Overall I'm pleased with his clip. The warmer days of the last couple of weeks have made my timing seem right on. Hopefully he doesn't get too cold over his back as it gets chillier. That always makes him very tense.
Of course, my first ride after clipping him was sans saddle, as I had sent my saddle off to be flocked and repaired. Thankfully my creature was just as calm and good as ever.
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| "Lady, I am perfection incarnate." |
Anyone have issues with post-clip shenanigans?
It took me 3 years to be able to just run the clippers over Fiction's ears. He still doesn't like me pulling his mane near his ears. But bridle path? No probs haha. The clip job looks great!
ReplyDeleteHorses are ridiculous! I bet if I tried harder through the year, I could clip sans drugs. But, honestly, I don't care that much.
DeleteThis makes me appreciate my Stinker. He doesn't mind the clippers and the hardest part is getting him not to look at me when I'm clipping his neck.
ReplyDeleteHahaha "what are you doing? Is that a carrot?" I can see it now.
DeleteI'm jealous of how little hair is on the ground. My mare is a yak disguised as a horse. She has a similar clip but about 10x the hair.
ReplyDeleteTB hair FTW! In some places, you can't even tell I clipped him... except that he's a little more orange.
DeleteOmg drunken kicking is hilarious!! I'm not sure how mine is going to be for clipping, I'm still just thinking about whether I want to tackle that this year. I'm leaning towards it maybe in early December. It's going to rain a lot this winter so he'll need a blanket to keep him dry, may as well take some hair off. He's also been pretty good recently too. We'd probably just do a strip or trace clip though. I'm not brave enough to take away all his hair yet! And I'm only just assuming he'll be fine without drugs... he could freak like he did when I tried to get the clippers near his bridle path, which is now a mohawk because I WILL clip it, damn it.
ReplyDeleteYou can always start with the bib and just expand as you figure out what kind of work load you'll be doing. I think that's what I'd do, in your position.
DeleteI love body clipping! Courage doesn't really seem any different post-clip in terms of behavior, though he's definitely happier temperature-wise.
ReplyDeleteI tell people "my horse runs hot." And they tend not to believe me. That is, until it's 45 degrees and windy, and he's ripping his blanket off and sweating.
DeleteHampton is like that about his bridle path! I can clip on his neck near his ears, but try to get the bridle path? I get a "Oh HELLLLLL no lady!" sigh
ReplyDeleteHahahaha! Omg. Hampton. Y U so weird?
DeleteI am so grateful I have horses who give zero effs about being clipped. I just throw Paddy a haynet and he'll stand for as long as I need - nothing like a highly food-motivated critter.
ReplyDeleteJeaaaalous. Life is so much easier with a food motivated monster.
Deletelol drunk Pig says "c'mere you so i can teach yous a lesson!"
ReplyDeleteSO sad I don't have this on video!
DeleteI have a whole post full of gifs planned about Murray's post-clip shenanigans. Much lead changing was had!!! (Upside: this horse definitely has ONE TEMPIS BIATCHES)
ReplyDeleteAHAHAHAHA! Why does this not surprise me?
DeleteI am so lucky with my girls, they are both angels to clip. In saying that they are scheduled for haircuts this evening so here's hoping I won't be eating my words!
ReplyDeleteThe G man looks awesome, hope all goes well with the saddle
Lucky for me, Riva likes being clipped...hates being groomed though. I can definitely tell she feels better with the hair off - not silly, just more forward.
ReplyDelete