Clipping help... please..

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showjump

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My star 4 year old turned into the devil! Since i have had him i havent found anything that bothers him... until i started to clip him last night!
He was fine on his neck and shoulders (not keep near his head) but i when i touched his side he tryed to kick me. I mean back leg out to the side high in the air, as to get me. (well he did clip my hand but only just)
So i give him some sedalin and left him for 20 mins, and tried again. No chance.
So what should i do he has no hair on his neck, chest, but hair near his head and the rest of him. I only want to achieve a trace.

Now if i had though for one minute he would react like this i wouldnt of bothered or i would have done it differently. But now im stuck. I dont think its the nose, more the feeling.

Any ideas?
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Aw what a shame, I bet he looks a right twit!

I have had our horse for just 5 months (mare) and have been mortified as she's tried to kick me (admittedly not really tried very hard) when I've done rugs and things, also she kicked my daughter in the head when she fell off once, which has put the willies into me... it's quite disheartening.... I guess we have to look at them as horses at the end of the day and not take anythign like that too personally.

Anyway I am rambling and digressing.

Could you get someone to hold up a leg at all? If you have someone that experienced willing to do this...

Whilst he's looking so daft, you'll just have to embark on the day after day gradual process, trianing him to accept the clipper. Feed titbits, hold clippers close, go away, come back, when he keeps still, go away, when he fidgets, get a close as you can safely. etc.
 
I just did not think he would be like this, he been so good with everything.
We were feeding him mints, and treats, and my friend held him instead of tying him up. I dont think holding a leg would work think he'd try to rear or just make him panic more.

Hmm he really does look like a twit!
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Yes, probably right there, if you really want to finish him off properly. Hope he doesn't manage a kick on the sedation. Perhaps somewhere in his fuddled mind he will then learn to accept clipping for next time.
 
Yes think you're right. How much Sedaline *should* have worked? I only had some left from when my other horse needed it.

How long does sedation by the vet last for? Also doesnt it make them sweat??
 
3 or 4 mg sedaline should have worked but it is not effective if they are really bad.

I know a few people who have horses sedated and there is generally no problem with sweating. You need to discuss with the vet how long you need the sedation to last and they will treat accordingly.
 
I have never seen one of mine sweat on vet's sedation. I have had about 4 different horses sedated for teeth.

I heard from a friend, re clipping, that they give you about 40 mins or so.

That's good, that you have a friend to help hold him.

How annoying though, that you have to sedate to clip. You are certainly not alone though.

I haven't clipped ours before, and I have been told by previous owner "be careful she doesn't cow kick you!"
 
you could try with a pair of the very small clippers, the ones with a 1" blade. i've hunter clipped a very difficult horse with them with no sedation, and because they were so quiet, he accepted it.
otherwise, proper veterinary sedation is the answer. sedalin doesn't work on a lot of them, if they get a real adrenalin rush.
 
Its the first time ive had one that needs sedating! I am hoping once its been done he might realise its nothing to be afraid of. Its just not like him, usually he takes everything in his stride.
It annoying because i had started him before i got to his belly which is where the problems started!
 
I used the small ones, (weil I think, purple, very tiny blade so it'd take for ever!) on my previous horse's ears once as he didn't like the huge ones up there (can't blame him!) and he was happy with those.
 
Well its worth a try! Will let you all know how i get on. Im hoping even from last night he might now realise its not that bad. Fingers X'ed anyway!
 
I used to give my horse half a tube of sedalin and would have to wait 2 - 3 hours befor starting clipping. He would be at his sleepiest 4 hours afterwards (just in time to do his head). He was very ticklish especially around his little boy bits (he grows very long furry knickers!). I can pretty much do him without sedating now , but took several years to wean him off the sedalin. Maybe you need to give it a bit longer to work?
 
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