The summer is fading fast, and September is just around the corner which marks the beginning of the busy horse clipping season. If your clippers have been stored away over the summer, now is the time to give them a thorough check over to ensure they’re in good working condition and ready for use.
Whether you're a professional groom or a horse owner, ensuring that your horse clippers are in top-notch condition is essential for a smooth, seamless clipping experience and happy horses!
Missing or worn parts? Don’t forget you can find all spares for your Masterclip clipper and trimmer models on our website here or contact us to confirm your clipper model here.
Here’s our checklist to get your clipping season off to the best start.
INSPECT YOUR CLIPPERS FOR WEAR AND TEAR
- Check your clipper is clean and dry and has been stored away from damp.
- Look over the handset and power cable for any signs of wear or damage.
- If your clipper has removable air filters, take them out of the handset to clean.
- For older clipper models with a traditional Heiniger style head, remove the blades and take a look inside the head to ensure that the laminated springs are intact and the square bolt is in position.
- For newer A2 clipper models, check the tension set is complete - comprising of tension screw, spring and bolt and check the blade cushions, blades runners and anti-vibration grommet are in place and secure and not showing signs of wear.
- Watch our handy video guide here.
TOPTIP – Why not upgrade your clipper with our modern A2 clipper head? The Masterclip Ranger, Hunter and HD Roamer clippers can be quickly and easily upgraded with our new clipper head for easier use, easier tensioning, faster blade changes and are compatible with a range of premium clipper blades to give you a greater choice of clip. You can even change the head at home. Contact us here for more information.
Above: The modern A2 head on the HD Roamer and Hunter clippers
SHARPEN OR REPLACE BLADES
- Check that your clipper blades are not missing any teeth and are rust free. Replace any blades that have broken teeth.
- Ensure your clipper blades are freshly sharpened and you have at least 2 or 3 sets of the same blades for full clipping. This ensures you have a spare set ready to hand incase one set should go blunt mid-clip.
- Send blunt blades off for resharpening.
- Check the levels of your clipper oil and cooling spray are adequate and order more if required.
TEST YOUR CLIPPERS BEFORE THE CLIPPING MARATHON BEGINS
Before you start the winter clipping season, test your clippers on a small patch of hair. This will help you ensure that they’re working correctly and give you a chance to make any last-minute adjustments and avoid a frustrating first clip. If the clippers are leaving lines or not cutting evenly, it might be time to sharpen the blades or make other adjustments.
- Familiarise yourself with changing the blades and how to set the tension correctly as per the clipper manual to save time (and possible confusion) during clipping.
- Using an RCD, plug the clipper in and check it is working and running as it should. Listen out for any unusual noises -grinding or rattling sounds may indicate that something is wrong internally.
- For battery clippers, charge and test each battery.
STORE YOUR CLIPPERS PROPERLY
Proper storage is key to maintaining the longevity of your clippers. After each use:
- Clean the clippers and blades thoroughly.
- Oil the blades to prevent rust.
- Store the clippers in a cool, dry place, preferably in a case to protect them from dust and damage.
Above: Rust formed on the motor (clipper stored in a damp tack room)
READY, SET, CLIP!
By following these steps, most of the potential clipping issues will be identified and remedied before you begin your first clip of the season. If your clippers have not been looked at for a while, or you’re in any doubts, send your clipper to us for servicing by our dedicated workshop team.
Above: Before and after of a clipper service
Our technicians will replace any consumable parts, open the handset to clean it and remove accumulated hair to prevent overheating and PAT test your clipper to ensure they are primed ready for the busy autumn and winter clipping season. Servicing should be carried out every 2 years for the average user with one of two horses, and once a year for more intensive users. Book your clipper service with us here.
Blog updated August 2024