Conference noted::equitation

    
    
    	Hi Andrea-
    
    
    	I own a pair of Oster (sp) clippers and they are great, I've
    	had them for about ten years.  My sister used to groom dogs
    	with them and they are still going strong to this day.  I can
    	get back to you tomorrow as to what size blade I have in them
    	and some more info if you need it.  I beleave State Line sells
    	them too, they are the larger ones though, not body clippers
    	but larger than the ear clippers that Oster sells.
    
    
    	Zina

    
    I love my Oster A-5 clippers (the gold ones).  I had a set last 18
    years.  They are sturdy enough that I have body clipped a few and fine
    enough to do great detail work.
    
    I still like the big Sunbeams for body clipping the best.

    
    Another vote for Osters.. I have had a set of the smaller ones for
    close to 20 years - they have snap in blades - I use #40s and #15s
    on my morgans... thick manes/bridlepaths need the coarser blades 1st
    and then I go over and do a finish job w/the finer ones.
    

    For  muzzles and ears, I bought a little battery powered clipper
    at K-mart.  It's called a "groomsman" - I guess it's supposed to
    be for men's beards, but it's real handy for horses (cheap too,
    $15.00)
    
    For the rest I''ve got a set of A2's that are about 10 years old.
    

    
    
    re.last
    
    
    i have the same one! i bought the detachable blades to change for body 
    clips, legs and a real fine blade... I HATED them!
    they never clipped right! not even the legs! i ended up taking
    out the adjust Wahl to finnish the job!
    
    
    
    	wendy o'
    
    

  	Let me start out by saying I've never really clipped a horse 
	before...never had the reason too, and all that hair *has*
	to be there for a reason......right?  Well, the suggestion was
	made that I practice clipping my mare, now, before the show season
	starts...just to see how my mare will react (she is funny about
	some things).

    	Started clipping this week and came to the conclusion that I am 
	missing something regarding clipping and blade selection.  I 
	have (well had - I burnt it out I think)the cheapie Oster ear 
	trimmer.  It did a good job on my mare's whiskers (I think I used 
	them 3-4 times over the past 3 years).  It was suggested that I 
	clip the white on her legs.  Jesse is a Paint, with lots of white 
	leg!
    
	So I decided to practice......Good thing I did too!  The first 
	clippers used (my instructors) did a nice job on the one leg 
	(although my mare wasn't to thrilled - the battle of the wills 
	begins).  Then I used my *wonderful* ear trimmer clippers on 
	the next leg.  Well, the end result was quite *special* (Thank 
	God I didn't do this right before the show)!!!
    
	I had to get another set of blades, went to the saddle shed and 
	figured I was to get a pair that matched the ones I had, struggled 
	to get them on the stupid thing and proceeded to do a *wonderful* job 
	on her back 2 legs.  One consolation, I won the clipper battle of
	the wills w/ my mare. ;^)
    
	Now I think back to my visit to the Saddle Shed and remember looking 
	at all the different types of blades.....and then read this note 
	about using different size blades for different jobs....makes sense 
	to me.
    
	So, now for the barrage of questions:

		Can any pair of blades fit any clipper?
    
    		What types/size blades should I use for face, legs, body, 
		ears.....am I missing anything (this is my first real 
		show season, and I'm nervous enough as it is...I don't 
		want to look stupid because I did a butch job on Jesse)?

		What type/size clippers should I be using and how much 
		should I expect to invest (I hope won't require a 2nd
		mortage or anything)?

		Any tips or suggestions?


	Incidentally, Jesse 2 front legs have started growing out, and
	actually look good (not pink) and they are so easy to clean!
	hopefully the back will do the same.....eventually. ;^)

    I have two pairs of clippers...Oster A5's (that's the one where the
    blade snaps on and off, the A2 is the one where the blade has to be
    changed using a screw driver) and a new second-hand pair of two-speed
    A5's.
    
    To do bridle path, whiskers and the inside of ears I usually use a #30
    or #40 blade; for faces and the outside of ears a #15, and for legs 
    either a #15 or a #10.  I always use a #10 (SEVERAL #10s!) for body
    clipping.  
    
    A tip to make clipper blades last longer is to dip them in Blade Wash
    when they start to get hot or when you want to get the hair out.  If
    you dip just the cutter part while the clippers are running, they turn
    them off the wipe with paper towel or toweling or whatever and then
    spray with Kool Lube they stay sharp much longer.
    
    And speaking of being out with the bugs, the May flies were out already
    earlier this week in the warm weather.  It's like someone opened
    Pandora's box!
    
    gwen

    I have always wanted to go "clip happy" on one of those
    fuzzy horses :-) ....mine doesn't grow much of a winter coat,
    so he looks somewhat normal all winter.
    I have a Oster A2, and you have to use a screwdriver to change
    the blades.
    A trick I learned on getting the muzzle whiskers really close...
    After clipping, use a Bic or Gillette razor and shave off the
    nubs.  Go slowly,so as not to nick the horse.  No shaving cream 
    needed! :-)  

    
    
    	re: .9   gee, she dosent' look *that* bad......
    
    	re: .10  is the #40 finer than a #10?
    
    	re: .11  good idea....
    

    The #40 is the smallest, finest blade.  It's the one a vet would use to
    prepare an area for surgery.  The #30 is just a little less fine - I
    really don't see much difference.  The #15 isn't fine enough, I don't
    think, for things like bridle paths and whiskers for a show, but too
    fine to body clip with.  The #10 is just right for body clipping.
    
    gwen