About Melody 

The Horse barber – the back story 

The Horse Barber service is a concept created by Melody and one that developed out of necessity and pure passion for her craft.

Her equestrian clipping business was born in 2012 during her time at University.

‘Necessity is the mother of invention’ is what they say, and finding a source of income, at that time, was an absolute necessity! The business was born in time of need and it has more than surpassed itself, from the seed that it was. 

 

how did it begin?

Melody began clipping horses at the age of just 9 years old in the mid 90’s. She has a passion for horses as well as a passion for Art and Design, She Graduated from the University of Salford with a BA Hons Degree Graphic Design degree in 2015.

 

She is self taught and began clipping her Connamara pony ‘Misty’ (pictured below) who suffered from cushing’s disease, to assist his comfort and wellbeing. The basis of her work as she began clipping as a business, ensured the wellbeing of horses she was clipping and her sympathetic and gentle approach catered to the needs of even the most nervous horses. 

This quickly saw her business grow and become inundated with clients and people with horses who needed her help.

 

 

Melody has Misty to thank for the beginning of her horse clipping journey.

Fast forward 20 years and she has become the first horse clipper from the UK to offer her creative and traditional horse clipping skills in the form of education and training, as an equine clipping educator, both nationally and internationally, Melody showcased her horse clipping techniques in the USA alongside renowned American clipper company Andis for 2 years running 2017 – 2018 and continues to deliver the first of its kind equine clipping education both in person and online.

Melodys passion and unique approach to her craft quickly gained the attention of media world wide, in the from of both online and print press, magazines, blogs and newspapers including the Times and the Telegraph, TV publications including CNN and the BBC.

a gap in THE market

Melody identified a huge need for education and training in the industry of horse clipping and is the first to offer her experience and style of training to horse owners in need. as well as catering to traditional clipping, Creative clipping is becoming more and more widely accepted and awareness of horse clipping benefits is at an all time high.

Melody offers a different approach to horse clipping as has previously been known, largely due to her passion for craft, horsemanship skills, knowledge and understanding of different horses and coat types as well as a passion for art and design. All of this has helped her to identifiy new and better ways for the future of clipping horses safely and effectively, as well as creatively.

Melody envisions an improved future of horse clipping and by providing her training, she wishes to create a safer and happier environment during the clipping process, for both horses and their handlers / owners alike.

 

To get a better understanding of Melody as a person and what drives her, click on the Clip collection where you can find an in-depth look into each of her major creative clipping projects.

Expect the unexpected!

The Horse Barber Melody Hames helps equestrians go from feeling overwhelmed & daunted when it comes to clipping, to confident and assertive in their approach, by developing their knowledge of horse clipping practices & overall horsemanship skills.

𝑴𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒐𝒘𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒔. 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒖𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒂𝒓𝒆, 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒄𝒉 & 𝒄𝒓𝒂𝒇𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒆𝒓.

'So It wasn’t until after I finished and published the clip that I realised, The Gingerbread men were all doing poos and now I cannot unseen it....'

Click on the clip collection : the gingerbread horse for the full story 

People & Horses Melody Has Helped

I had a brilliant first one to one session with the one and only amazingly talented and seriously lovely Melody Hames
I am so grateful and this is just the start of our journey I’ve made a friend and mentor for life in Melody and having the day spent with my best boy who was an absolute superstar bonding was wonderful
Watch this space! 
- Joanna Walmsley, Essex

Rachel speaking about her beautiful but anxious dressage mare;

“When I bought her it was one question (about clipping) I didn’t ask !! Only to be told later “it’s a vet job !!!!” . A few confidence and technique build-up training sessions with Melody The Horse Barber, lots of patience and mutual trust and I can do her solo now”

- Rachel Wall, Lancashire

Melody used my mare for some case study work on clipping nervous horses. The time she spent with her has made me more aware of not restricting her too much at her head. Whether that is walking from the field to riding. My mare is so much better and I actually achieved a full clip with her a few weeks ago 

- Jo Laycock, Lancashire

Melody I’s not only good at her job she is knowledgeable on different horse coats,eg PPID horses. Nothing is to much trouble for her and if you have any questions or uncertainties Melody will happily chat with you about them.

- Jillian Parkinson, Mottram Tameside

Melody came to my boys and clipped them. I decided after to have a go myself. Was on hand to give advice and tips. Especially a clean coat. But I think her talent is amazing. Her war horse clip that she did in remembrance for all veterans was truly beautiful. Melody is defo the best horse barber and one of a kind

Elise Brown, Clitheroe

I’ve watched Melody florish for many years, and follow her heart and dream. The end result being a true professional in her work. I notice when Melody enters a stable she is touching and talking to your horse, she knows exactly where they are sensitive and deals accordingly. Even whilst clipping she is tapping or stroking your horse as reassurance. As for the clip…. We needed a full clip with blended legs and face. It is perfect. But she still wasn’t finished. Melody went on to give my horse a warm sponge over and wrap her up nice and warm. I really wouldn’t have anyone else. A beautiful, thoughtful lady inside and out.

Suzanne Whitworth, Norden Rochdale