http://www.foreverhorseclippingbyhelen.co.uk/

Forever Horse Clipping by Helen, The Willows, Alva (2026)

07/10/2026

📍 October Clipping 📍

🍂 🎃🐎October clipping is in full swing now that my truck is finally back on the road again!

Thanks to everyone for your patience. It took longer to fix than originally thought, but we’re finally back up and running. 🚛💨

A big thanks to Alan at Millermods Auto Repair Shop in Tilicoutry, and James and Gordon at Towbars2U , for working through the long list of issues and getting me safely back on the road.

Your help and hard work are much appreciated! 👏🍂🎃🐎

Now that I finally have my transport back on the road, I can safely start booking people in again! 🚛✂️

I’ve got a few spaces left for October, so if you’re looking to get your pony or horse clipped, drop me a message to get booked in. 📩

Now… let’s get those ponies clipped! 🐴🍂✂️

05/10/2026

Inside-Out Clipping Aftercare: Protecting Your Horse’s Cellular Health

Clipping is a vital part of seasonal equine management, but the process triggers a temporary spike in the stress hormone cortisol—even in horses that stand perfectly still. Cortisol suppresses telomerase, the natural enzyme responsible for repairing and maintaining a horse's chromosomal health. When combined with the physical depletion of the skin’s protective lipid barrier, clipping can leave your horse feeling physically irritated and biologically stressed.

To help your horse recover quickly, use this Inside-Out Aftercare Routine to lower cortisol, repair the skin barrier, and defend their cells against oxidative stress.

💧 Step 1: The Outside Solution – The Hot Oiling Wipe-Down

Directly after the clippers turn off, your horse’s skin is stripped, dry, and highly sensitive. Stray, clipped hairs trapped against the skin cause continuous physical irritation that keeps stress levels elevated.

The Protocol:
1. Fill a bucket with comfortably warm water (not scalding).
2. Add a few drops of a botanical grooming oil containing soothing essential oils like Lavender, Chamomile, or Neem.
3. Soak a clean microfiber cloth in the mixture and wring it out completely until it is just damp.
4. Vigorously wipe down your horse's freshly clipped coat.

The Benefit: The heat and aromatherapy instantly lower your horse's heart rate and cortisol levels. The oil lifts away micro-hairs and replaces the lost protective skin lipids, preventing the post-clip itch.

• Top Product Recommendations: Hairy Pony Essential Oil Coat Conditioner or Supreme Products Professional Hot Oil.

🥕 Step 2: The Inside Solution – Antioxidant & Adaptogen Support

To halt internal cellular disruption, we must neutralize the free radicals generated during the stress of clipping and help the adrenal system clear out excess cortisol.

The Protocol:

Introduce a high-potency Omega-3 oil and adaptogenic herbs into your horse's feed starting one week before clipping and continuing for one week afterward.

Key Ingredients to Look For:

• Ashwagandha & Astragalus: Powerful adaptogenic roots that actively support telomere preservation and help bring cortisol back down to baseline.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Camelina or Ahiflower Oil): Systemically calm cellular inflammation and provide the raw building blocks for a healthy, shiny new coat to grow in.

• Top Product Recommendations: ExcelEQ ProElite Camelina Oil or Thunderbrook Ahiflower Oil.

💡 Pro-Tip for Sensitive Horses

If your horse is a known "active coper" (fidgeting, dancing, or sweating during clipping), their cellular system takes a heavier hit. Consider giving them a fast-acting mood stabilizer, such as Premier Performance Calming Cookies or a sachet of Zylkene Equine, roughly 30 to 60 minutes before the clippers turn on. This prevents the initial cortisol spike from happening in the first place!

🧴 The Topical Hot Oils

• Hairy Pony Essential Oil Coat Conditioner: This is completely natural, containing a pure blend of Jojoba and Coconut carrier oils mixed with Ylang Ylang, Rose Geranium, and Cedarwood Atlas essential oils. It is entirely free from silicones, parabens, and sulphates.
• Supreme Products Professional Hot Oil: This formula focuses on moisturising oils, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), and Collagen to naturally rehydrate and repair the skin barrier.

• ⚠️ Safety Note: fresh skin is highly exposed after a clip. Clients should always perform a 24-hour patch test on a small area of skin before coating the entire horse, as individual animals can occasionally show sensitivity to specific natural essential oils.

🥕 The Internal Oils & Supplements

• ExcelEQ ProElite Camelina Oil: This is a clean, natural, cold-pressed plant oil derived from Camelina sativa seeds and husks, enriched with natural olive skin extracts. It is a highly pure source of Omegas and Vitamin E.
• Premier Performance Calming Cookies: These are formulated around natural bases like Chia seed and flaxseed flour, using natural herbs (like peppermint and fenugreek) and amino acids (like L-Arginine). They contain no fillers, binders, or prohibited substances.

• ⚠️ Safety Note: These cookies are bound with molasses. Both Premier Performance and veterinarians advise that if a horse has a clinical history of Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) or Laminitis, the client should consult their vet before feeding them.

🏆 Competition and Regulatory Safety (FEI / BETA NOPS)
For clients who compete, the internal options are incredibly secure:
• ExcelEQ ProElite is explicitly certified 100% competition safe and free from banned substances.
• Premier Performance Calming Cookies are manufactured in the UK in a BETA NOPS accredited facility. This means they are strictly tested to ensure they do not contain any Naturally Occurring Prohibited Substances (NOPS) and do not use ingredients like valerian, which are banned under FEI clean sport rules.

03/10/2026

🐴🌿 SO, AFTER ALL THAT RESEARCH… WHY PRO-EQUINE? 🌿🐴

Following on from my last post about what we actually put on our horses' skin, I’ve been looking much more closely at the products I use — and I wanted to share where my research has led me.

For me, it’s not about saying that conventional horse shampoos are “bad”, or that every synthetic ingredient is something to be afraid of.

It’s about asking a simple question:

If I have a choice, why wouldn’t I choose something that is thoughtfully formulated with my horse’s skin and coat in mind? 🐴💚

That’s what has really stood out to me about Pro-Equine.

🌿 A focus on natural ingredients

I really like the philosophy behind using naturally derived ingredients where possible, rather than automatically reaching for a long list of synthetic ingredients simply because they are commonly used.

🧴 Simple and transparent

After looking at ingredients more closely, I’ve become much more interested in knowing exactly what I’m putting onto my horses.

I don't want to choose a product simply because it smells amazing, produces mountains of foam or leaves a super-slick finish.

I want to understand what is actually in the bottle and why it's there.

🐴 Because we wash our horses regularly

This is probably the bit that has made me think the most.

Before clipping, many of us give our horses a really thorough wash — sometimes repeatedly throughout the year.

So these aren't products that are necessarily being used once in a blue moon.

We're putting them directly onto the skin, over and over again.

That makes me want to be a little more thoughtful about what I choose.

🌱 Natural doesn't automatically mean better

And this is really important.

I'm not saying “natural = safe” and “synthetic = dangerous”.

It isn't that simple.

A natural ingredient can cause a reaction, and a synthetic ingredient can be perfectly safe and useful when properly formulated.

For me, it's about choosing products where the formulation, ingredients and purpose all make sense — and where the manufacturer is transparent about what they're putting into the bottle.

✨ And then there's the practical side…

Ultimately, a horse shampoo has to actually WORK.

It needs to clean a dirty horse.

It needs to rinse properly.

It needs to leave the coat feeling good.

And if you're clipping, you need that lovely clean, manageable coat that makes the whole job easier.

That's why I'm particularly interested in Pro-Equine.

It's not enough for me to see the words “natural” on a label.

I want a product that combines good ingredients with good performance.

And from everything I've been looking into, I think this is the direction I'd like to take my own horse care.

🌿 Less unnecessary stuff.
🐴 More consideration for the horse.
🧴 More transparency about what we're using.
✨ And products that still do the job properly.

So, for me, Pro-Equine is becoming the way forward.

I'm going to keep looking at individual products and their ingredients because I think that's where things get really interesting.

And I'd love to know…

👇 Have you used Pro-Equine?

What did you think?

Which product is your favourite?

And if you haven't tried it yet, would you be interested in seeing me break down the individual products and explain what's actually in them, what those ingredients do, and why I think they could be a good option for our horses? 🌿🐴

As always, this is about sharing my own research and experience rather than saying that every other horse-care product is unsafe. Every horse is different, and any horse with a history of skin sensitivity or reactions should be treated individually.

01/10/2026

🐴✂️ HORSE CLIPPING CLIENTS — I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU! 🧴

Before I clip your horses, I know lots of you give them a really good wash — but what are you actually washing them in?

And, more importantly…

👉 Do you ever look at the ingredients on the bottle?

I've been doing some research into horse shampoos and grooming products, and I'm really interested in how many of us choose products based on how well they clean, how shiny they make the coat, how nice they smell… without necessarily looking at what's actually in them.

I'm looking into whether we should be paying a little more attention to what we're putting onto our horses' skin — particularly when we're washing them regularly before clipping.

🌿 Some ingredients I'd personally be interested in avoiding:

SLS – Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
A powerful cleansing/foaming agent. It can be irritating to skin and is widely used in products where lots of foam is wanted. Research shows SLS can disrupt the skin barrier, particularly at higher concentrations or with prolonged exposure.

SLES – Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Another cleansing/foaming surfactant. It can be milder than SLS depending on the formulation, so it's not necessarily something to panic about — but it's one I'd personally look out for if I'm trying to choose a particularly gentle formulation.

MI – Methylisothiazolinone
This one really caught my attention. It's a preservative used to stop water-based products spoiling, but it has been associated with contact allergy/sensitisation. The EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety specifically raised concerns about its use in rinse-off cosmetics because of its potential to induce contact allergy.

MCI – Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Another preservative in the same family, often found alongside MI. Again, the reason I'd choose to avoid it isn't because it's a "poison" — it's because of the concern around skin sensitisation/allergic reactions.

Artificial fragrance / “Parfum”
Fragrance isn't automatically bad, but "parfum" can represent a mixture of fragrance ingredients without telling you exactly what they are. If I'm looking for a really simple, natural product, I'd rather know exactly what is providing the scent.

Silicones
These can give a lovely silky, slippery feel and make manes and tails easier to brush. They're not inherently dangerous, but if we're specifically looking for a genuinely natural and biodegradable product, they're ingredients I'd want to investigate rather than automatically assume are natural.

Parabens
These are preservatives. They're legally regulated and aren't automatically harmful at the levels permitted in products, but they're another ingredient some people prefer to avoid when choosing a more natural formulation.

🌱 So what WOULD I look for?

Ideally:

✔️ Simple, transparent ingredient list
✔️ Plant-derived cleansing ingredients
✔️ Naturally derived conditioning ingredients
✔️ No SLS/SLES
✔️ No MI/MCI
✔️ No unnecessary synthetic fragrance
✔️ No silicones if we're aiming for a genuinely natural formulation
✔️ Biodegradable ingredients where possible
✔️ A product that has actually been formulated and tested properly — because "natural" doesn't automatically mean safe!

And this is where it gets interesting…

There are already some horse shampoos on the UK market that are marketed as 100% natural, including products from Pro-Equine and Biteback Organics. I'm going to have a proper look at the ingredients rather than simply taking the marketing claims at face value. 🌿🐴

BUT I WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!

👇 What do you wash your horse in before a clip?

🧴 What shampoo do you use?

🔍 Have you ever looked at the ingredients?

🌿 Would you choose a genuinely natural alternative if it cleaned just as well?

🐴 Has your horse ever reacted to a shampoo or grooming product?

Picture for attention.
And would you be interested in me putting together a simple list of ingredients to look for and ingredients to avoid, so you can actually understand what's in the bottles sitting in your tack room?

Let's see what everyone is using! 👇

I'm not suggesting that every ingredient listed above is dangerous or that conventional shampoos are unsafe. Some have very useful functions. This is about understanding the ingredients and making an informed choice, particularly for horses with sensitive skin.

24/09/2026

🐴✂️ THINKING OF CLIPPING YOUR OWN HORSE? HERE ARE A FEW THINGS TO CONSIDER…

If you’re thinking about having a go at clipping your own horse this season, there are a few things worth considering before you get started.

✨ Get your clippers ready
Before you start, make sure your blades are clean, sharp and correctly fitted. A good set of clippers makes the job much easier and more comfortable for both you and your horse.

🧹 Clean them after every clip
Horse hair gets everywhere! Give your clippers a thorough brush after use, paying particular attention to around the blades and moving parts.

💧 Oil regularly
Keeping the blades well lubricated helps reduce friction, heat and wear. Check your manufacturer's instructions for where and how often to oil.

🌡️ Keep an eye on the temperature
Clippers can get warm during clipping, particularly if you're doing a full clip. Have breaks when needed and check the blades regularly so they don't become too hot for your horse.

🔧 Look after your blades
Clean, sharp blades will give you a much better finish and make the clipping process easier. If your blades are pulling hair rather than cutting smoothly, it may be time for a sharpen or replacement.

🛠️ Don't forget the annual service
Even if your clippers seem to be working perfectly, having them serviced and checked once a year is a good way of keeping on top of maintenance and spotting potential problems before they become bigger (and more expensive!) issues.

🐴 And of course, think about your horse too. Some horses take clipping in their stride, while others need a little more patience, preparation and reassurance. Take your time and make sure both you and your horse are comfortable.

And I think my wee supervisor Hamish was quite enjoying watching me get everything cleaned and ready! 🐶😂

Now, off I go to a new client today to feed and muck out — always nice to meet some new faces (and horses!) 🐴❤️

22/09/2026

Then vs now… and the reality of living with CPL. ❤️

Yesterday I went back to see Amy, and while there has been such a huge improvement over the last couple of years, unfortunately her legs were looking a little more swollen again.

And that’s actually something I think is really important to talk about when it comes to Chronic Progressive Lymphoedema (CPL).

Because this isn't a condition where you simply “fix” the legs and move on.

CPL is a lifelong condition affecting the lymphatic system. The lymphatic drainage in the lower limbs is compromised, meaning the legs can be much more susceptible to swelling, inflammation, skin changes and secondary problems. There is currently no cure, so management is about doing everything we can, consistently, to keep the horse comfortable and slow progression.

And there are so many things that can influence how those legs look and feel.

Weather.
Wet and muddy conditions.
Heat and humidity.
Changes in movement.
Skin irritation.
Small wounds.
Infection.
Parasites such as feather mites.
Changes in routine.

All of these things can potentially add another layer of inflammation or make managing the lymphatic swelling more difficult. Heavy feathering can also make it harder to see what is happening underneath, while moisture and skin debris can create an environment where secondary skin problems and mites become more difficult to control.

And then there is movement.

Movement is such an important part of managing CPL because it helps support lymphatic flow. That’s one of the reasons Amy living out 24/7, when the weather allows, has been such an important part of her routine. Daily movement, alongside skin care, feather management and keeping a close eye on the legs, all form part of the bigger picture.

So yes… yesterday the legs were a little swollen again.

But that doesn't erase the progress.

It doesn't mean everything we've done hasn't worked.

It means this is CPL.

It ebbs and flows. There are good days and harder days, and sometimes the environment throws another challenge into the mix.

The important thing is recognising those changes early, adjusting the management when needed, and continuing to work with the horse rather than expecting a permanent “before and after” result.

Yesterday we also had to consider another reason for a little extra concern — Amy had started to look lame on her front right, so my client had the vet out to assess her. That is being treated as a separate issue unless the vet advises otherwise, but it was absolutely the right thing to have her checked.

For me, this is why the last two years have never been about a quick transformation.

It’s about routine.
Observation.
Movement.
Skin care.
Consistency.
And adapting when things change.

CPL doesn't disappear.

But with the right management, patience and a team willing to keep putting the work in, we can give these horses the best chance of staying comfortable and enjoying their lives. ❤️

And Amy is a perfect example of why you don't give up just because there are bumps in the road.

17/09/2026

🍂 AUTUMN → WINTER: TIME TO THINK AHEAD 🐴

As the seasons change, it’s easy to think about rugs, feed and clipping as separate jobs — but they’re all part of the same picture: keeping your horse’s skin healthy, dry and comfortable through the wetter, colder months.

One thing worth considering is clipping.

For horses in regular work, a thick winter coat can hold onto sweat for hours after exercise. That warm, damp environment can create ideal conditions for skin problems such as rain rot (Dermatophilus congolensis).

✂️ Clipping can help because it:
• Allows sweat to evaporate more quickly
• Reduces drying time after exercise
• Makes the skin easier to check regularly
• Allows topical treatments to reach affected areas more effectively
• Helps you spot small changes before they become bigger problems

But clipping also means taking away some of your horse’s natural protection.

🌧️ A clipped horse needs a little more thought when it comes to rugging:
• Never put a turnout rug over a horse that is still damp from exercise
• Make sure your horse is properly dry before rugging
• Choose rugs that are genuinely waterproof and breathable
• Check regularly for sweating underneath rugs
• Pay particular attention to areas that stay warm and damp
• Keep clipper blades clean, disinfected and in good condition to minimise skin irritation

And remember — more rugging isn't always better rugging.

A horse that becomes hot and sweaty underneath a rug can end up with exactly the warm, damp conditions we're trying to avoid.

🍁 As autumn arrives, take a few minutes to reassess your horse's routine.

Is their coat coping with the amount of work they're doing?
Are they drying quickly enough after exercise?
Is their current rugging still appropriate as temperatures change?
Are you checking their skin regularly?
And are you prepared for the wetter weather ahead?

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. The best winter plan is the one that suits your individual horse, their workload, coat, environment and skin.

A little preparation now can make a big difference when winter really arrives. ❤️🐴

Autumn is the time to think ahead — not wait for a problem to appear.

❤️ Photo is for attention purposes only ❤️

14/09/2026

:

🌿 One of the joys of watching horses naturally forage… 🌿

There is something so special about watching a horse browse and forage. Panda will happily stop and investigate the hedgerows, choosing little bits of natural forage along the way — and here he is enjoying some rosehips. 🌹

Horses are naturally designed to spend their days grazing, browsing and searching for food. I love being able to give Panda the opportunities to express those natural behaviours, safely and appropriately, rather than everything simply being presented to them in a bucket or haynet.

For Panda, with his PSSM type 1, his overall management is particularly important. Keeping him moving, providing appropriate forage and managing his sugar and starch intake are all part of keeping him feeling his best. I love seeing him able to enjoy those natural foraging behaviours alongside that careful management. ❤️

And then there are the moments that make me smile even more…

Panda and Amber will often stand on opposite sides of the stable door and naturally nuzzle each other. No encouragement, no interference — just two horses choosing to have that little bit of contact with each other. 🥰🐴

These are the little joys of horse ownership and being able to share them.

📸

I currently have space available for holiday cover, alongside my clipping services. If you need reliable, experienced care for your horses while you're away, please feel free to get in touch. ❤️🐴

07/09/2026

✂️ The perfect clip can be the WRONG clip. 🐴

Let me introduce you to Timmy.

Normally, Timmy stands quietly and practically falls asleep while I clip him. He knows the routine, and I can usually get his clip done in one go.

But this time was different.

Timmy has been on box rest for the best part of the year, and this time he was telling me quite clearly that he’d had enough.

He didn't want to stand.

He was taking steps away from me.

And that was absolutely fine.

I listened.

The clip I would normally complete in one go took two visits this time.

On the first visit, I did his neck, head and underneath his chest. We stopped there.

The rest was done on the second visit.

And then we stopped again.

Because sometimes getting the perfect finish simply isn't the priority.

Timmy is 28 and has Cushing's, and after such a long period of box rest, clipping can take more out of a horse in recovery than we might expect.

His coat was also noticeably coarser this time, so he needed more time and patience.

The original plan was to take everything off, just as we did in the photo from June 2026.

But that wasn't to be this time.

Instead, we've gone with a custom clip that Timmy was comfortable with.

His owner and I will monitor how he gets on with it, and if he needs another visit, I'm only a phone call away. ❤️

Because sometimes the best clip isn't the one that looks perfect.

It's the one that is right for the horse in front of you, on that particular day.

And Timmy was very clear about what he needed. 🐴❤️

Have you ever had to change your clipping plan because your horse told you they'd had enough?

24/08/2026

🐴 PREPARING YOUR HORSE’S SKIN FOR MITES — ALL YEAR ROUND 🐴

Did you know that feather mites can be more troublesome as we head into autumn, winter and early spring?

For many feathered horses, mite numbers and skin irritation can increase during the colder months, with signs such as stamping, rubbing, biting at the legs, scurf, crusting and thickened skin.

The good news is that skin care shouldn’t only start when the itching begins — preparation and management are a year-round job. 🍃

🌿 SPRING & SUMMER — BUILD A HEALTHY SKIN ROUTINE

As the weather improves, take the opportunity to:

• Regularly inspect the skin underneath the feathers
• Check for scurf, crusting, irritation, thickening or changes in the skin
• Keep grooming equipment, rugs and brushes clean
• Encourage plenty of movement and turnout
• Support good overall health with appropriate nutrition
• Keep the skin conditioned without overdoing products

✂️ WHAT ABOUT CLIPPING THE FEATHERS?

This is an individual decision and there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer.

For horses with very dense feathers, carefully clipping or reducing the feathering can make it much easier to see the skin, keep it clean and dry, monitor changes and apply treatment directly to the affected area.

If mites have become established, removing the feathers may be necessary so treatment can reach the skin properly.

Clipping should always be carried out safely and with consideration for the individual horse. If the horse is painful, very irritated or difficult to clip, veterinary advice may be needed.

🍂 AUTUMN — START PAYING EXTRA ATTENTION

As temperatures drop and horses may spend more time stabled, this is a good time to increase your checks.

Look closely around the pasterns and behind the feathers.

Don't wait until your horse is stamping or chewing their legs before taking action. Early changes are much easier to manage than an established problem.

❄️ WINTER — KEEP ON TOP OF IT

Winter is when feather mites commonly become more troublesome.

If your horse has a history of skin problems, make regular leg checks part of your routine.

If the feathers have been clipped, it becomes much easier to see exactly what is happening and to keep the skin clean and dry.

🧴 CLEAN, TREAT, CONDITION & MONITOR

If the skin needs treatment, getting the product right down to the skin is important — especially with thick feathering.

Once the appropriate treatment has been used, don't simply forget about the legs.

Keep checking.

Keep the area clean.

Keep equipment clean.

Continue with appropriate skin conditioning where needed.

And keep an eye out for any return of scurf, crusting, irritation, stamping or rubbing.

Good management is about staying one step ahead rather than constantly chasing a flare-up. 💚

🌿 SKIN CONDITIONING

A suitable natural skin-conditioning oil or ointment may help support dry or compromised skin as part of an overall management routine.

If using essential oils, always choose horse-safe products, follow the manufacturer's instructions and patch test first.

Remember that skin-conditioning products do not replace appropriate treatment for an established mite infestation.

🧼 DON'T FORGET THE ENVIRONMENT

Mites can be present in the horse's surroundings, so hygiene is an important part of management.

Regularly clean grooming brushes, rugs and equipment, and keep stable areas and bedding as clean as practical.

If one horse has mites, consider whether other horses sharing the same environment may also need checking.

⚠️ WHEN TO CALL THE VET

If your horse is stamping, biting or rubbing their legs, or you notice scabs, crusting, hair loss, swelling, thickened skin or significant irritation, speak to your vet.

Mites aren't always visible to the naked eye and other skin conditions can cause similar signs, so getting the correct diagnosis is important.

💚 THE AIM ISN'T TO WAIT FOR A PROBLEM.

Know your horse's skin.

Check it regularly.

Keep it clean.

Condition it appropriately.

Reduce the feathering when necessary to allow proper access.

And most importantly — keep on top of the management all year round.

Because healthy skin isn't just a winter job. 🐴🌿

Prepare in summer. Monitor through autumn. Manage through winter. Keep checking into spring.

Forever Horse Clipping by Helen

07/10/2026

05/10/2026

03/10/2026

01/10/2026

24/09/2026

22/09/2026

17/09/2026

14/09/2026

07/09/2026

24/08/2026

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