Adventures of Megatron: Top Clipping Tips!

This month, brand ambassadors Lauren and Mega put the Aesculap Durati Battery Horse Clippers through their paces… Normally Lauren has to sedate Mega while clipping, so we’re intrigued to see how she got on with this battery clipper set sedation-free!

For Mega’s second clip this season, we gave the Kerbl Aesculap Durați Clippers a go – it was also Mega’s first clip without proper sedation, so a true test all round!

As these battery clippers are cordless, they were super quiet and lightweight compared to mains-powered clippers. This made them really easy to use, and quiet enough for Mega to stay relaxed and happy without any sedation.

These clippers are ideal for trimming or for part clips, but with an amazing 3-hour battery life I was able to clip Mega’s entire body with them! They also come with a spare battery so that you never run out of power, as you can charge one while the other battery is in use.

I found that the blades glided through Mega’s coat really easily (the Durati is compatible with all A5 snap-on blades) and left a really smart finish to Mega’s freshly clipped coat. 

Lauren’s Top Clipping Tips:

Before Clipping

• Safety is always key when clipping, particularly if you are clipping a new horse for the first time, or a young or nervous horse. Make sure you wear sturdy footwear, and if you’re clipping an especially nervy or flight horse then a riding hat is always recommended!
• There’s nothing worse than being covered in horse hair after clipping (it can get so itchy!) so make sure you wear clothing that hair is less likely to stick to. Coveralls are a great choice.
• Make sure you check the tensioning of your clipper blades are correct - if they’re too tight, this can cause excess pressure and generate heat.
• Prepare your horse for clipping by giving them a good groom or body wash - this really makes a difference to the finish of your clip. A greasy coat means your blades will struggle to cut through the coat and leave lines where the teeth have worked hard to get through. Spraying a coat sheen/shine spray is a great way to give your blades a helping hand at gliding through thicker, dry coats.

During Clipping

• Remember to use clipper oil on the blades every 10 minutes or so – a lack of lubrication can cause the blades to overheat. Make sure you use the correct type of oil (WD-40, engine oil etc. can damage the internal workings of your clippers!).
• Keep regularly brushing the clippers to ensure they don’t get clogged with hair.
• Take a break - great opportunity for your horse to rest and give your clippers a chance to cool down!
• Clip the coat in long sweeping movements for a clean finish.
• Use trimmers or smaller clippers for hard to reach areas or for creating neat lines around the legs or on the face.

After Clipping

• Remove the blades and brush out as much hair as possible from the clipper head.
• Clean the blades using a specialised blade wash to prevent any bacteria build up.
• Send the blades off for clipper blade sharpening - this way you’ll have sharp blades ready to use next season!
• Remember to have your clippers serviced regularly.
• Hot clothing after clipping is a great way to remove any clipper oil residue, grease and excess hair. I love to use NAF love the skin he’s in wash.