Best sedation for clipping?

[Alyth]

Sadly, this is my impression too but it is only an impression. I also wonder if there is a cultural element ie. it's what is done at some yards? In the rush getting the job done becomes the overriding factor and the horse becomes almost a pain/awkward in that mindset.
I know I have been and still am guilty of doing stuff without thinking or reviewing it and looking for alternatives or if it's working and 'better' for the horse.

I have to say I am saddened that is the way things are done nowadays....I am really feeling that I will abandon coming on here and posting as it seems very few people are actually thinking about the effects they have on their horses....and most seem quite happy to ridicule my ideas....but I am glad I am here and now and not coming back to be one of their horses!!! How on earth can we get people to THINK KINDLY?????

 

[Rebels]

I've never wanted to sedate to clip, I'm very against it with my own horses but when you have a horse that is so distressed that he ended up on the floor when I ran them on the other side of the yard then you need to consider other options. This was a horse from a professional eventing yard, they had always doped him. He had to be clipped in order to fulfil the job I had bought him for without having detrimental health effects. My solution in the end was spending 3 weeks clipping every day with mini trimmers until he stopped going mad but I was kicked (badly) several times. If he was anything else but mine and handled by anyone else or on a yard where other people may have been affected then it wasn't feasible to have a 17.3wb throwing itself around. If you have to clip, you have tried and failed to desensitise for any reason then surely getting the procedure done quietly and quickly is beneficial. Though I agree in ideal circumstances it should be progressively reduced. My next project is an ex race horse whose attitude is to go up, whip round and flee as she doesn't like the actual cutting of the hair. I managed unsedated last year but it took 4 hours before she stood, every time the clippers cut the hair she left the building. I know her and and I know my aim so that marathon session worked (she fell asleep in the end as the adrenaline faded) but that would not work for every horse as some escalate their behaviour. I guess just know your horse and act accordingly prioritising safety and learning.