You’ve retrieved your horse clippers from summer storage and you’re back at the yard, ready for that first clip of the winter season. Your horse is prepped, the blades are attached, and the tension is set—everything should be good to go. But as you switch them on… nothing. Or worse, they’re running but not cutting as they should. It’s a frustrating situation, but there’s no need to worry. Whether your clippers won’t turn on, are struggling to cut, or simply aren’t performing properly, most common issues can be resolved quickly with a few simple checks.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through essential troubleshooting steps for heavy duty horse clippers, to help you get back from a clipper not working at all, to effeortess clipping as soon as possible.
Contents
Clippper not working? Follow these Steps:
1. The Clipper Won't Switch On
If your clipper wont switch on, the issue is often electrical or battery-related.
- Check the length of the clipper cable to look for breaks in the wire covering. If your horse has accidentally caught the cable with their hooves, they can damage and split the cable. We can easily replace damaged clipper cables at our repairs centre.
- If everything is intact on mains powered clippers, check the fuse in the plug. Always use an RCD when using clippers to keep you and your horse safe.
- For cordless clippers, check the battery has full power by placing it in the charge cradle. The indicator light will turn green when the battery is fully charged. Next, check the inside of battery inlet on the handset to see if there could be anything obstructing the battery from connecting with the handset properly.
Clipper not working still after these checks? Contact our team to send you clipper for repair thruoght the link below.
2. The Clippers Are Turning On But Not Cutting
If the clipper is continually used with the tension set too tight, the excessive pressure will cause wear and tear to the motor and the cog which joins the motor to the clipper head. If the cog is worn, the clipper may be running but the blades will not be moving or may stutter when attempting to clip. The clipper usually makes a high pitched sound too just like this.
To check the condition for the cog:
- First, unplug the clipper or remove the battery.
- Use the double ended screwdriver in the carry case to remove the clipper head to check the ridges on the cog.
This is easy to do and you can follow our YouTube guide here. If your cog has sheared teeth, it can easily be replaced at home. Contact us to get a replacement cog and make sure you you fit the new cog the right way up to avoid shearing the teeth again.
3. The Clippers Are Not Cutting Properly
If your clippers are running but not cutting as they should, the problem is usually linked to the blades.
- Incorrect blade alignment: Check the clipper blade is fitted the right way up. This may sound obvious, but is a surprisingly common issue when you've not used your handset for a while. It's easy to make simple mistakes. For Masterclip A2 cool ridge blades, the larger part of the blade (the comb) must be set with the ridges facing up. Take a look at our YouTube guide here.
4. The Clipper Blades Are Chewing or Pulling The Hair
If the blades are on the right way up, the tension is set and is as loose as possible, but now the blades are not cutting well or chewing the coat. Here are some common causes:
- Dirty blades or trapped hair: Remove the blades and give them a thorough clean. Them replace them on the clipper and apply enough clipper oil or Andis spray.
- Blunt or worn blades: If they are still not cutting after a good clean, swap to a freshly sharpened or new blade.
- Make sure your blades have been sharpened by a specialist sharpening service, such as Shear Ease Ltd. (Take a look at the photo below that shows a badly sharpened blade!)
- Always have a spare, sharp clipper blades to hand that matches your first set incase your blades go blunt mid-clip (and especially to avoid the embarrassment of a half-clipped horse. Ooops!)
Top Tip: When clipping clean, pre-bathed coats, your blades should remain sharp for several full clips and give the best results. However, if you are unable to fully prepare the coat beforehand, there is a good chance that you may need to use a second blade to finish the clip.
If bathing your horse beforehand is not an option, a good thorough groom and hot clothing will help to remove the worst of the dirt and grease from the coat and get a decent finish.
4. The Clippers Are Getting Hot Quickly
Clipper overheating can generally be attributed to insufficient lubrication or the tension being set too tight.
- Clipper oil must be applied to the blades every 5 minutes during clipping to keep them lubricated and running freely.
- Heat can also be generated inside the clipper head if the components are dry, so be sure to add a few drops of oil into the holes on the clipper head at regular intervals as well.
How to tension Masterclip A2 clippers;
- Tighten the tension screw until it will no longer turn.
- Then using the arrow on tension screw as a guide, turn the tension screw anti-clockwise for 2.5-3 full turns.
- Test the clipper on the coat. If the blades are clipping well, you could even adjust the tension a little looser.
TOP TIP – Always set your clipper tension as loosely as possible while clipping. This reduces friction, minimises wear and tear on the handset, and helps your blades last longer. If the tension is set too tight, the clipper blades will blunt much faster than they should.
There are other causes that can contribute to clippers becoming overly warm. Take a look at our blog here for more tips or contact us if you're continually experiencing your clipper overheating here.
5. Clippers Don't Cut Unless The Tension Is Done Up Tight
If you find that you need to tighten the tension more than usual for the blades to cut properly, it may be time to replace the tension set. You can purchase a new tension set from us here. To extend the lifespan of your tension set, avoid storing your clippers with the tension fully tightened.
5. The Clipper Has Started To Leave Clip Lines
If your blades are cutting well but are leaving lines or sound louder than usual, it's worth checking the inside of the clipper head to look at the condition of the blade cushions, blade runners and rubber comb grommet. Worn or missing parts inside the head can cause the blades to sit unevenly, resulting in excessive movement and vibration during use, even when the blades are tensioned correctly. Watch our handy video guide below.
Final Clipper Check: Get Back to Smooth, Stress-Free Clipping
Before you get started, it’s always worth carrying out a final clipper check to make sure everything is running smoothly. Most common issues - whether it’s poor cutting performance, overheating blades, or power problems—can usually be traced back to simple causes like incorrect tension, blunt blades, or a lack of regular maintenance.
Taking a few minutes to inspect your clippers, remove any built-up hair, oil the blades, and check your tension settings can make a real difference to performance and the overall clipping experience for both you and your horse.
If your clippers are still not working as they should after these checks, it may be time to replace worn parts or consider a professional service. Keeping your equipment in top condition will not only extend its lifespan but also ensure a smoother, safer clip every time. You can find our clipper servicing and repairs details here.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our friendly and knowldgeable team are here to help you get the most out of your clippers.
What is the best product to keep clipper blades cool?
When you are tackiling very thick coats or have a ot of clipping to do, somethimes extra cooling action is needed. A reliable cooling and maintenance product is Andis 5-in-1 Cool Care Spray. It helps to instantly cool hot blades and has added dinfectant and cleaning action - great for cleanign up blades between horses or livestock.
Why have my clippers suddenly become loud?
If your clippers have suddenly become louder than usual, it’s often a sign that they need more lubrication. A lack of oil in the clipper head can cause increased friction between moving parts, leading to extra noise and reduced performance.
To fix this, apply a few drops of clipper oil directly into the oiling points (head holes) and along the blades, and run the clippers briefly to allow the oil to distribute evenly. Regular lubrication will help keep your clippers running quietly, smoothly, and efficiently. Take a look at this video to see the difference!
If the noise continues after oiling, it may indicate worn internal components that require servicing.
How do I clean my clippers properly?
Regular cleaning not only keeps your clippers running smoothly but also helps prevent common issues such as poor cutting performance, overheating, and unnecessary wear. Take a look at our blog here for our simple methods and best tips.
