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Home /Grooms life/Why you should charge more to clip dirty horses

Why you should charge more to clip dirty horses

15th September 2023
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Have you started clipping? Or maybe you have been clipping all year. Are you presented with dirty horses to clip?
 
We often hear, "oh, I bathed him yesterday, I don't know how he got so dirty overnight!?" Some familiar?
 
With the cost-of-living crisis showing no signs of easing, prices are rising everywhere. While everyone is looking at their finances, many freelance grooms have started to charge a ‘dirty horse fee’. Have you considered the extra costs involved with clipping a dirty horse? 
 
When a client books an appointment for clipping, send them this short guide to clipping preparation which also explains why you need a clean, dry horse.
 

Why it costs more to clip dirty horses

 
Dirty horses are difficult to clip, the clippers must work harder which causes excess strain on the clipper motor and leads to servicing charges or even replacement of clippers.
A dirty coat can quickly cause blunted blades and often break the teeth; it is possible for up to 4 newly sharpened blades to be used to clip just 1 horse! 
Increased labour, clipping a dirty horse takes longer to complete.  
 

Why you shouldn’t clip a dirty horse

 
Dirty horses are unsuitable for clipping because the mud, dust, and debris embedded in the horses’ coat will encourage tugging of the hair and cause excess heat from the blades, both of which will be uncomfortable for the horse, as well as spoil the quality of the clip by adding lines in the coat and risk additional equipment costs.
 

Preparation is the key to perfect clips

 
Ideally a horse should be bathed the day before clipping, to ensure the coat is clean and dry. If it isn’t possible to bath the horse, a thorough grooming is essential. Use plenty of elbow grease, make sure you notice an increase in your own body temperature, so you know you have put enough effort into the grooming. 
 
Use a hot towel after grooming the horse, to remove any remaining dirt - the steam penetrates the coat and provides a deep clean.
 
Hot clothing is an effective method of removing grease the day before clipping, as well as after clipping to remove any excess clipper oil and loose hair. 
 

What you need for hot clothing

 
1 or 2 x small buckets.
 
1 x flannel or very small towel, micro fibre cloth or sponge.
 
1 x gentle no rise soap.
 
1 x larger towel for drying off if needed.
 

How to apply

 
Add the gentle no rise soap, (use an amount according to the instructions on the soap bottle), in the bottom of the bucket with an additional 2-3" of water. Make sure the water is as "hot as your hands can bare".
 
Take the flannel or sponge and dunk into the solution, squeeze out thoroughly and wipe the horse all over, including against the natural lay of the coat, to reach right to the bottom of the hair.
 
Make sure you rinse the towel regularly, ideally in a bucket of clean water to remove the dirt, before dipping back into the hot wash bucket to refresh, wring out the excess water and repeat cleaning the coat. 
 
   

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What the personal accident policy covers you for:

  • Whilst at work
  • All stable duties – mucking out, grooming, washing off, turning out
  • Clipping
  • Riding – including hacking and jumping
  • Hunting
  • Lunging
  • Breaking in
  • Holding horse for a vet and other procedures
  • Travelling horses both in the UK and abroad
  • Competing in line with your job including: jumping, dressage, eventing
  • Injuries that may happen to you whilst you are teaching - but you must also be grooming as part of your duties and not be a sole instructor

What the personal accident policy doesn’t cover you for:

  • Riding in a race, point to point or team chase
  • Stunt Riding
  • Accidents occurring whilst travelling to and from work
  • Riding and competing your own horse (but you can upgrade when applying for membership to include this)
  • Public Liability – this is a separate insurance policy - the Freelance Groom Liability Insurance
  • Care Custody and Control – this is a separate policy - the Freelance Groom Liability Insurance

If you require additional cover then please contact KBIS directly.

   GROOM  RIDER  EMPLOYER

When you are working for other people you do most of the following; muck out, turn out/catch in, tack up, groom horses, exercise Horses (including hacking, jumping and schooling), in the care of your employer/client.

 
YES

 
NO

 
NO
Predominantly ride horses for other people including schooling, exercising and competing.   
NO		  
YES
YES
 Provide grooming services for someone else either full time or on a freelance basis i.e. an employer or a client.   
YES
NO
NO
Employ staff – have an employers liability policy in your name NO NO YES
Buy and sell horses NO YES YES