21/08/2026
I’ve spoken about this before, but never really gone into it properly. With autumn only weeks away and clipping season just around the corner, I feel like it needs saying and I’m sure a lot of full-time professional clippers will understand where I’m coming from.
Clipping isn’t a hobby for me. It’s my career.
I’ve been clipping full-time and freelance for over 9 years, and before that I worked on eventing, dressage and racing yards. Horses are quite literally all I’ve ever known.
Over the years I’ve put thousands of hours into learning my trade. I know my machines, my blades and the different coat types. I know what blades and clips will suit different horses. I’ve learnt how to work with nervous horses, young horses, difficult horses and horses that need that little bit more patience.
We are basically the barbers of the horse world 😂✂️
And just like any skilled trade, you’re not only paying for the hour or two that I’m standing there clipping your horse. You’re paying for the years it took me to know how to do it properly.
Being self-employed and freelance, I’ve gained and lost plenty of clients over the years. That’s part of the job and I completely understand that everyone has budgets.
And I KNOW money is getting tighter for everyone. Every saving counts at the minute, and I would never judge anybody for struggling or needing to watch what they spend.
But PLEASE, if money is the reason you’re thinking of going elsewhere, talk to me.
I’m always happy to help where I can. Maybe I can discount that appointment slightly, work something out, or even let you pay me on payday. I’ve had clients do that before and I genuinely don’t mind. I’m not a bad person and I’m not here to make life difficult for anyone. I’m approachable, I understand that circumstances change and, at the end of the day, the horses come first. ❤️
I would much rather somebody speak to me and say, “I’m struggling this month, is there anything we can do?” than feel like they have to disappear because somebody else is £10 cheaper.
That’s why I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t disheartening when you hear that someone has gone elsewhere purely because it was £10 cheaper — especially when they admit they aren’t bothered about the finish.
My prices might sometimes be a little higher. But there’s a reason for that.
You’re paying for my experience. My knowledge. My equipment. My reliability. The countless hours spent maintaining machines and blades. The years spent learning horses and learning how to get the best possible finish while keeping the horse comfortable and safe.
There will always be “pop-up” clippers who appear when clipping season starts and there’s quick money to be made, then disappear again.
But for those of us who do this professionally, year after year, this is our livelihood. We invest in our businesses, our equipment and our knowledge because we want to provide a professional service that owners can rely on.
I will never be the cheapest clipper around and I am okay with that. I’d rather charge what reflects my experience and the standard of work I provide than try to compete on who can do it for the lowest price.
So as clipping season approaches, please remember to value your professional clippers. Behind that set of clippers is often years and years of experience that you don’t see. And if times are tough, talk to us. You might be surprised how understanding we can be.
Amelia
💗💗💗
(And if you’ve actually made it to the end of this very long post 😂 thank you for taking the time to read it all!)
