Grooms Are Clipping Horses For A Good Cause
Tim Gaskell clipped 17 horses in 24 hours back in May, all for a good cause.
“Tim the Clipper Guy,” as he’s often known, was seeing so many of his groom and braiding colleagues out of work during the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Back in May, there was still so much uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, let alone any clear path to know when or where horse shows would start up again.
So Tim, 33, worked with the Equestrian Aid Foundation to raise money for a COVID-19 Relief Fund for those in the horse industry most impacted by state shutdowns and show cancellations. He clipped horses live on Facebook for 24 hours straight, and along the way raised over $10,000 for the relief fund.
“I was seeing so many of my fellow grooms and braiders out of work,” said Tim, who lives in Naples, Fla. “Unemployment wasn’t coming through, others were taking pay cuts. I thought, surely, there’s got to be something I can do.”
Now Tim has committed to hosting a second Clip-A-Thon this year, in an effort to raise another wave of funds for those in need. The Clip-A-Thon is bigger than ever, with a handful of professional grooms committed to help clip horses over two days on Oct. 26-27. In addition to body clipping horses, The Clip-A-Thon event will raffle off prizes donated by equestrian companies and figures like Shapleys, Amberway Equine, The Mane Monogram, and Liza Boyd.
“I don’t follow politics or anything. I just trust my gut,” said Tim, who has been clipping horses professionally ever since he moved to Florida in 2013. “There are shows that just aren’t happening this year – look at the World Equestrian Center in Ohio. I just had a feeling that people were going to be struggling this winter.”
The goal, Tim said, is to offer relief funding until the Equestrian Aid Foundation stops receiving applicants for it. He wants to surpass the $10,100 amount raised the first time around.
“This money is for anyone in the industry – grooms, braiders, trainers, show secretaries. Anyone in need,” he said. “I just really want to emphasize the grooms and braiders out there.”
“There’s still so many people struggling,” Tim added. “Not everyone can come to Florida in the winter. I’m just trying to stay positive and help out where I can.”
Want to help?
Donate to the Equestrian Aid Foundation’s COVID-19 Relief Fund Here.
Donate directly to The Clip-A-Thon or buy raffle tickets on the event’s Facebook page.