Clipping a sensitive horse

S

spotty_pony

...
Joined
29 July 2005
Messages
12,552
Visit site
I'm going to clip my boy in a couple of weeks as he is getting quite fluffy now and I'm not particularly looking forward to it! Last year, he hated it. I don't think he is scared, it's more the sensation of it that he doesn't like as he is very tickilish which made him jumpy, bargy and kick out. He ended up having to be twitched for the whole clip (a trace clip) which I wasn't keen on doing but it was the only way I would have been able to get the clip finished! :eek: Even then he would explode from time to time. I have spoken to my vet and he has given me some Sedalin to give to him beforehand to see if this will help him to relax a bit more. I have also decided to give him a full clip this time as it will be much quicker than messing about trying to get lines straight, etc.

So I was just wondering if you could tell me your experiences with using Sedalin when clipping sensitive horses. Also, would like to hear from anyone else who has a horse which is difficult to clip and what works for them.

Any advice much appreciated. :)
 
Sedalin = completely useless with my horse. Made no difference at all at highest dose possible. IV sedation much better but pricey!

Only thing that has worked with mine is time and patience. He had been twitched before which just made things so much worse; turned a scared horse into an angry one :(

Yesterday was the first time I have been able to clip without any tantrums. Has taken years to get here though. Don't think there are any quick fixes :(
 
Hiya, ive used sedalin quite a few times on different types of horses. I work with horses and do freelance clipping. Sometimes it doesnt have the desired effect and the horse is still difficult to clip but more than often it really helps.
The trick is when you give the sedalin and how long you leave before clipping. The best way to get the sedalin to work is to give it on an empty stomach ie. first thing in the morning, leave for a minimum of half hour but better got an hour in a quiet place ie the stable, then start clipping. I suspect as you managed to get him done with a twitch sedalin will help you out and will probaly make it easier for you. Most people make the mistake of giving the sedalin then getting the clippers striaght on the horse without waiting for it to properly take affect (no offence to anybody who says it doesnt work as i do understand it doesnt work for everthing) If you dont wait for it take affect properly and start clipping instantly they will override the seadative. Hope this helps and good luck.:)
 
My chap is exactly the same and hates the twitch as well.

I invested in a pair of Moser Avalon battery clippers so eliminated the flex, so if he moves around I can quietly stick with him and not worry about either of us being electrocuted!

I give him 3ml sedalin (14.2hh) and leave him quietly for an hour in his stable.

I then clip him in an open yard, not tied up and take it very slowly, with lots of breaks, and treats as we go along. I hold the lead rope loosely and if he fidgets then can keep clipping whilst he moves, and find that he will eventually stand still and accept it.

I also let him eat hay - some may not agree with this as he is mildly sedated, but I can monitor it whilst clipping and gives him something else to think about.

I agree that a full clip can be less stressful than lines as is quicker and a continous action, but mine does not like the clippers anywhere need his head and the top of his neck, so do a low trace to avoid these areas and that in iteself keeps him calmer.

Good luck!
 
I feel for you! Posted yesterday, in the same position with my very nervous mare.

Ditto roo2012 above though, I honestly think time & patience are the best way.

You said you plan to clip in a couple of weeks? I have spent the last 11 days (and counting ;)) very slowly de-sensitising my mare, with a little pair of battery trimmers. If I am in the stable with her, they are on! I can now run them over her body, down her legs etc without major issues. Still not keen from the withers up though, it's a work in progress!

I ordered a pair of cordless Liveryman Harmony clippers this morning, as they are supposed to be v quiet. I will introduce these slowly over a few days, before attempting to clip probably next weekend.

Not looking forward to it tbh, but hopefully tied up loosely with a fat haynet, we *will* get there!

Best of luck :)
 
Thank you for all of your replies. :)

My boy is not bothered by the sound of the clippers at all, it's the sensation of it that he doesn't like. I am hoping I will be able to manage with giving him the Sedalin plenty of time before I start clipping to give it a chance to work and then if he is still a bit jumpy I will twitch him as well whilst I do the parts he hates the most (his neck, chest and under his belly.) I am also going to give him his Likit because he absolutely loves it - so much so that he will empty my grooming box to find it! :rolleyes: So that should also help to distract him.

Does anyone know how many ml half a tube of Sedalin is?
 
Last edited:
SJ_Superstars said:
Thank you! The vet recommended I give him half a tube. (He is 14.2hh) Hopefully this should be enough to at least calm him down a bit.
Click to expand...


Ah that should make him quite dopey youll be fine. I did a 14.2 that usually rears and lashes out with his front legs when you get half way up his neck. I gave him 3 notches and he stood there as quiet as a mouse while i did half a head on him.:)
 
I always give lickits as bribes for clipping and trimming for our youngsters, and it distracts them a treat. I call it my humaine twitch. Worked for thefirst hot shoeing too. Just a shame I can't use it for when their teeth are done!
 
Sedalin no use on my sensitive skinned horse in fact I suspect it makes her feel unwell and so just confirms in her head how hateful clipping is.

Agree with desensitizing and this year I have 2 new tricks to try .....

Firstly to leave an equilibrium pad running while clipping the rest of her ( she quite likes the pad now)

Secondly I wondered whether giving her a few bute beforehand would make hew skin less sensitive?

Will let you know how we get on!!!
 
One of mine has v.sensitive skin, not really that bothered by the noise, i did him last w.end, blanket clip, one person with trimmers on his face with one hand while the other hand scritched his withers, one person holding a front leg up and scritching his neck then another holding his tail to one side to stop him lashing out when i got to his belly, all done very very quickly with lots of praise, i practice and practice but it dosen't make up for the real thing as he simply hates the vibration on his skin, he is fine with the Liveryman Element trimmers that i have and you can do a full clip with them, just takes hours to do whereas a quick go over with my big ones and it's all done.
 
Do you think if i exercise him, then when he has cooled down give him the Sedalin, give it time to work and then have a go at clipping him it would work better? My theory is, he might be calmer anyway having already been worked, so the Sedalin might have a bigger effect on him.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top