clipping a nervous hairy cob

sue_ellen

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My new cob is wonderful but very hairy and desperately needs clipping even though its may! However when I tried he went mad, and I have been advised by my instructor and my vet to have him sedated for the first clip as it is going to be a big job. Does anyone have experience with this, will he fall over when I try to pick his feet up? My biggest worry is that once I have had him sedated I will always have to. He is only 5 and I dont think he has been clipped before. I dont want to do it wrong and cause more problems for the future
 
I don't see any harm in sedating - the horse might learn through the experience that there is actually nothing to fear and need less or no sedation next time.
The trick is to do it very regularly once you get started so it isn't such a major job each itme
 
I sedated one of my youngsters to clip him for the first time as Id bought him straight off the field and he'd never been handled let alone groomed, but desperately needed clipping and tidying as his coat was hanging in matted clumps and looked uncomfortable when he moved, and his mane was making him sweat it was so massive. I needed someone to keep him upright if he looked unsteady (a quick flick with the end of the rope was sufficient to stop him stagering forwards), but otherwise he was fine, it was very uneventful and he never needed sedating again. They can still make very sudden and unexpected movements under sedation though so don't get complacent!
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I had one like this could never get to the bottom of why vet sadated and he was still awake with head almost on the floor he double barrelled me in the stomach so be careful in the end he wen't to a home where she didn't clip I think in the past he was badly treated when first clipped and I think they beat him and had him on the floor also has he pink skin as they can be very sensative, anyway good luck be careful and let us know how you get on.
 
Thanks for getting in touch, vet is coming thursday so I will be careful, and will let you know what happens. Sue
 
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