Earlier this year I bought some Wahl KM2 clippers. The barn had a pair of little clippers, but the girls didn't clean them so they stopped working. I wanted something small enough that I could do touch ups (feet and bridle path because I leave whiskers) but also big enough that I could do the body clipping (I don't ever intend to do a full body clip on him). These were stocked at our local tack shop and came with a wide blade, so after a month of going in and looking at them I finally broke down and bought them.
Narrow blade (I forgot to take pictures)
These weren't the easiest clippers to body clip with, but they weren't terrible. I should have started on his belly since I could fuck that up without anyone being able to see it, but I wasn't that smart and started on his neck. It took me a few tries to get used to the way they clipped, so his neck looks a little funky. I am hoping that disappears with time.
All he wants for Christmas is his own mini that doesn't kick
And maybe an owner that can clip better
I can't speak to the durability of these clippers yet, because I have only had them about 6 months and have used them a total of four times now. But overall I am very happy with them. If I was doing a full body clip or clipping multiple horses I wouldn't want to use them for that, but with my one horse and blanket clip I was fine. They are light weight and easy to maneuver, so it was a painless task (Stinker also gives zero shits which is super helpful).
Why stand for conformation pictures when you can chew on your lead rope?
Previously, I posted about my struggles to find a blanket that fits (link here) and I am still on the struggle bus. As a quick review Smart Pak's high neck blanket (rubs shoulders, their regular blanket rubs (shoulders and neck), Schneider's Storm Shield (rubbed shoulders), Rambo high neck (hung too low despite length being correct), and Amigo (rubbed shoulders and withers). Also, two different style shoulder guards did not help. Still with me?
Evidence I am still not getting him to work all the way through his topline
Based on previously recommendations these are the ones that have been suggested and I haven't tried yet: Schneider's cutback model, Schneider's neck attached model, and Weatherbeeta's. I think I have at least figured out what is causing the problem. My theory is the shoulder gussets don't extend up enough to compensate for his front end action. So the million dollar question (and yes it does feel like a million dollars in blankets) is what do I do? Do I buy them all and return what I don't think will fit? Do I say screw you horse your don't need hair? Has anyone tried a bossy bib shoulder guard? Does someone make custom blankets/want to trade me a horse that is normal shaped?
The only semi decent picture I got before I got frustrated and stopped trying
I think on your last blanket post I recommended a tough one shoulder guard -- is that one of the ones you tried that failed? My barn has had such good luck with those that almost every blanketed horse has one now. And they're cheap, so I count that as a win! If that's one of the ones that failed, then I have no advice 😔
ReplyDeleteYou did and it is 😭
DeleteWell double damn 😕 none of my horses are shaped anything like Stinker, and so far I've had good luck with my hodge podge of assorted blankets I've collected over the years. Sorry I can't be more useful 😔
DeleteI'll trade you if you want one shaped like him 😂
DeleteJust move up here and you can test my blankets 😉 haha.
DeleteOne of the girls at my barn swears by her bossy bib shoulder guard. She's got a TB that gets awful rubs from absolutely everything (think spur rubs from just the heel of her boots).
ReplyDeleteIn my experience, Weatherbeeta fits wider horse better. William has one and is getting minor rubs and he's normal shaped, just narrow.
I actually sent bossy bib an email yesterday about the fit and what size I should get.
DeleteMaybe it's a narrow problem because he isn't super wide. Everything that fits length wise looks big and everything thing that fits up and down isn't long enough.
I've tried 3 different blankets and a shoulder guard and Henry has still gotten rubs. This year I bought him HUG style blankets... we'll see if that works.
ReplyDeleteLet me know what you think of them. Or you know I will pester you about them in a bit once its sort of cold. :)
DeleteUghhh I still have to buy a blanket but I am really hesitant to do so, especially after reading this. The weatherbeeta I ordered was like a tent on him, but it was a smaller size than the Schneider that I tried on him that was also too big...so I have no idea what brand to order or if any of them will work well for his saddlebred-ness.
ReplyDeleteLeo is built more like a normal horse than Stinker is. LoveLaughRide has a saddlebred too and she recommends the Amigo and I also got that recommendation from multiple other saddlebred people. Everything slopes to the rear on Stinker so I don't know if I will be able to find a true solution to my problem.
DeleteI've heard good things about the bossy bibs too. How frustrating about all the blanket rubs!
ReplyDeleteI think that will be my next step before I run screaming and throwing all my money at blankets....
DeleteHe is looking sharp in his clip tho!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI just came across this post and wanted to chime in that I have a Bossy's Bib and that has been THE solution for my mare's rubs. She is not built like your guy, but was getting rubs from just about everything (Horseware regular cut blankets did help somewhat since she was getting rubs from gussets). I found the Bossy's Bib to be true to their word that it will not only prevent rubs but also let hair grow back on existing ones.
ReplyDeleteThat is good to hear, because I ordered one this week.
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