Clipping a Nervous Pony

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Ealana

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Hi we have a 9 year old Haflinger mare who can be extremely bargy on the ground. Because she is living out she grows a very thick winter coat and this year it is particularly bad - as thick as it was in the depth of winter last year and already has her rain sheet on which two winters ago she never even had on in the worst of weather!! So because of her extra coat this year and because we still plan on doing a fair amount of work with her I was planning on giving her a bib clip but unfortunately she is extremely nervous with the sound of clippers and has ran my mother over before when trying to even turn on the clippers. Would people choose to sedate and clip her or not to bother and reduce her work sooner - she is already starting to sweat up with 20 min of walk/trot work out hacking ?? :\
 
Honestly I think you have left it too late this year.
Next year I would introduce her to clippers in the summer:
first when they are not on, let her sniff them and slowly start to touch her with them when they are still off. When she is completely happy with this start from the beginning with them on, first from a distance then gradually getting closer until she is happy to have them touching her all over when they are running.
For her first clip I would give her a small bib clip.
 
I think you'll have to do alot of work with her first. If she was mine I would start with a battery operated toothbrush, stand near her shoulder and switch it on and off then put your hand on her neck/shoulder and run it up and down so she can feel the vibration. If she is as nervous as you say it will take a while and lots of patience.
 
I wouldn't mess around - get the vet out and get her sedated, get the lot off and rug up well, she's hardy and will survive!! That way you have the option to ride and keep her work level up.
 
I dont think you have left it too late !!!

My gelding is 10 and nervous of clippers ( has been clipped 3 times in his life )( the last 3 years only)


i sedate him and have his sheath cleaned the same time.

i will gradually use sedaline and give him less and less does till i can clip him without.

I managed to clip part of his neck and shoulders ;last year before the vet came.



I would get vet to sedate him then clip him. No point in putting your self in danger round his ticklish spots .
 
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we've been working throughout the summer with a pair of hand clippers - the mini wahl pro ones - and we've got to being able to have them on and near her for about 5 minutes but then she freaks - even got to having them on her but again she starts to freak if i move them or turn them off and back on, we then have to start the process again, often being unable to get anywhere near as close as we were beforehand. She is completely fine with them turned off anywhere and will let us touch her anywhere - it's just the noise, even with very quiet ones.

I know that with a huge amount of practise we will be able to clip her but it's now while she's brought in a very thick coat within the last week that I was thinking about sedation or even just a magic syringe ??
 
Have you tried a bucket of food? I have used this with several funny horses and over the years they realize it doesn't hurt and eventually you don't need the food. Have even clipped ears and face this way that particular pony is now fab!
 
Definitely dope... in my experience if they're really upset then bribery with food won't do anything and the magic syringes wouldn't be strong enough for the kind of reaction you describe.
 
Make a tape/CD of clippers running, stopping and starting and play it every and all the time you bring her in to do something with her. Work on her ground work a lot so she is not in the least bit bargy and don't give her an inch of bad behaviour, at the moment she's a liability to anyone. Once she's done with the freaking out at the tape, introduce the real clippers at the same time just running them up her coat where you want to clip without being switched on. Don't faff about with them just pick them up as you would a brush and get on with the silent treatment; once she's good with them all over, then you can introduce them to her switched on (at the same time as the tape, always keep that running) If you've prepared her well - and she knows her ground rules you should have very little problem at all. I've done this with countless horses and within a few clips I can give them a full clip without a murmur. It does take time but that's the whole point, make it as 'normal' for her to have clippers by her, switched on and clipping as it is for you to brush her. Doping is the quick and easy route out and doesn't teach a horse anything other than it's more pleasant without a coat but how the hell did it get like that?!
 
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