It's been a tough December for riding, I'd like to say that I'm the most dedicated horsewoman and I go out no matter what, but the honesty here is, with all of the craziness that society makes us feel around the holidays, myself having a city job, it was busy busy busy. As well as for the most part, it was so freaking cold. But, it's starting to warm up (thank the lord) and we've had a wet, but above temperature past couple of days thanks to the January thaw! Here is where I have to mentally tell myself it's going to get freezing outside again and that this isn't going to last.
It was warm enough to endure the barn for longer than three hours, which means I got to spend a pretty wild Saturday night with the worlds worst pair of clippers! When I first learned to clip horses I got to use a ginormous pair of clippers (the ones that feel like they weigh 10lbs) that would just zoom through anything, quite possibly the tough, hard to reach patches of your lawn. Then, I learned about Andis clippers when I moved to VA. Light, quiet, cool...amazing. I recommend these clippers to everyone, I used several different pairs and they were all great. I was able to do a very large 16H+ horse in easily two hours.
When I went to the tack store to buy clippers, it was on a whim; it was getting warmer last spring and I thought to myself 'it's about time' and I wanted a hairless pony so bad. So I spoke to the lady asking about Andis' which they didn't carry and she recommended the Oster A5's which she said were comparable if not just as good. Not. At. All. I shouldn't of acted so off the cuff to buy something which I was dropping a fair amount of money on, but, I'm in my twenties and I just can't seem to teach myself that lesson (maybe this year is my time).
What I don't like about these clippers: brand new blades, horse is as clean as a horse can be without having a bath in the winter, well groomed, and rugged appropriately, and on the first touch, these clippers just struggle. They struggled just doing little stuff, it took me so long to clip his face and thank god this horse is patient. I went as far as to buy another clipper head thinking that ~maybe~ the problem would be there, and nope. Realistically at this point I should have just thrown $250 out the window of my car while driving to the barn.
It was warm enough to endure the barn for longer than three hours, which means I got to spend a pretty wild Saturday night with the worlds worst pair of clippers! When I first learned to clip horses I got to use a ginormous pair of clippers (the ones that feel like they weigh 10lbs) that would just zoom through anything, quite possibly the tough, hard to reach patches of your lawn. Then, I learned about Andis clippers when I moved to VA. Light, quiet, cool...amazing. I recommend these clippers to everyone, I used several different pairs and they were all great. I was able to do a very large 16H+ horse in easily two hours.
When I went to the tack store to buy clippers, it was on a whim; it was getting warmer last spring and I thought to myself 'it's about time' and I wanted a hairless pony so bad. So I spoke to the lady asking about Andis' which they didn't carry and she recommended the Oster A5's which she said were comparable if not just as good. Not. At. All. I shouldn't of acted so off the cuff to buy something which I was dropping a fair amount of money on, but, I'm in my twenties and I just can't seem to teach myself that lesson (maybe this year is my time).
What I don't like about these clippers: brand new blades, horse is as clean as a horse can be without having a bath in the winter, well groomed, and rugged appropriately, and on the first touch, these clippers just struggle. They struggled just doing little stuff, it took me so long to clip his face and thank god this horse is patient. I went as far as to buy another clipper head thinking that ~maybe~ the problem would be there, and nope. Realistically at this point I should have just thrown $250 out the window of my car while driving to the barn.
I actually thought about quitting when I finished his right side, but the thought of having a half clipped horse was gross, as well as the idea of having to come back tomorrow and get just as frustrated again so we championed through. The best part of clipping? The moment you're all done, you put your horse away and think 'SHOWER'. But then you have to deal with the massive mess you made including, but not limited to; three poops, maybe a pound of hair, hay everywhere, and of course, a small carrot salad made by Hobbs.
I have emailed Oster - hoping that my dissatisfaction is some what pitied upon, but if not, I might have to call in reinforcements (obviously my mom).
I have emailed Oster - hoping that my dissatisfaction is some what pitied upon, but if not, I might have to call in reinforcements (obviously my mom).
No one else was in the barn to witness this mess. Thankfully.