Use of Clippers for Horse Trail Maintenance === "Have Clippers, Will Travel"

[Robert H. Sydnor]

Dear Equestrian Colleagues:

         Attached is a brief three-page report on the use of hand clippers to trim overhead branches and lateral vegetation along a horse trail. 

          Reference is made to Julie Suhr's book title:   "Ten Feet Tall Still".    The safety goal is to create at least ten feet of overhead clearance for equestrians.     Often, it is possible to grab a low-hanging branch with one hand, then pull it down, cut the branch, and create about 11 to 12 feet of overhead clearance.   Train your horse to stand steady and not flinch while you are standing in the stirrups with no hands on the reins, and reaching upward with clippers.  Begin with simple twigs that are pencil-sized branches, and build confidence with your horse while continually speaking to him in a reassuring calm voice (like the "Horse Whisperer").

         This brief report is meant for light-duty trail maintenance on low-hanging small branches while being mounted and in the saddle.   Over a period of time, clippers will become dull.  So a section on sharpening the curved surface of by-pass clippers is included. 

         It is recommended that equestrians purchase by-pass clippers, rather than anvil clippers which do not work as well.  The optimum brand is Felco, made in Switzerland.  Felco clippers can be easily purchased from Amazon.com   The optimum sizes are #6 and #8.

        Corona by-pass clippers also work quite well.  Also obtain a leather holster which will remain in your horn-bag, and keep the sharp tips of the clippers from cutting other items in your horn-bag.

        Clippers will become contaminated when cutting poison-oak branches.  So a photograph of the Tecnu cleanser is included.  Use the Tecnu cleanser with an old toothbrush to clean the clippers and the inside of the leather holster.  Rinse these with clean water and let dry.

         A subsequent trail maintenance report will be prepared for ground-based heavy-duty trail maintenance with no horses present.     Conventional trail maintenance involves long-reach static pole-saws, heavy loppers, power hedge-trimmers, power pole-saws, power weed-eaters, and chainsaws.  This is an entirely different scope of work, and will be addressed separately.

         Equestrians are encouraged to carry hand- clippers and a folding 8-inch tree saw in the horn-bag while on routine day-rides.  Every little bit helps to create safe horse trails, so that both the rider and the horse are not hit in the eyes or the face.  You and your friends will benefit from trimming of low-hanging branches:   safety is of paramount importance for all equestrians.  The eyesight that you save might be your own.

        Respectfully submitted, Robert Hadley Sydnor

        A.E.R.C. Trail Master

        American Endurance Ride Conference

        Backcountry Horsemen of California, Mother Lode Unit

        

        RHSy...@gmail.com

        cell phone:   916-335-1441