Desensitisation - clipping.

[loopeepee]

Ok, so mum has said that she really doesnt want to fork out the £150 it costs to have Sullivan sedated and clipped, if she doesnt have to. And also if his fear can be overcome then thats surely for the best. And it really is a fear, with his old owners (who are lovely) the lady who looked after the yard clipped him - and also beat him up. Therefore even the sound scares the living daylights out of him, and because he is usually the kindest pony around there is no way you can tell him off, because he is truely petrified.
Therefore, she has put me in charge of trying to help him. I suggested recording a tape of the noise of clippers and playing it quietly whilst he is in his stable for gradually longer periods of time. Also putting those mini (the teeny tiny ones!) clippers in the bottom of his rubber feed skip with something over the top and then his feed.

Any other suggestions would be great because he really has to learn that Im not going to beat him up at all, and that he can be clipped without being hurt!
Thanks guys

 

[brightmount]

Monty Roberts tackles this issue with a hairdryer, getting the horse to accept something that makes a similar noise but just produces a pleasant warmth. Obviously you'll have to take it gradually, but I've seen Monty do this twice with complete schizo horses and within 20 minutes he has introduced the clippers, the hairdryer still running and masking the noise of the clippers - if this makes sense.

 

[brightmount]

Just to add, I've looked at the 2006 tour dates and you might look into the possibility of your horse being a demo as this is one of Monty's favourite demonstrations. The Essex date on 21 October would be nearest to you geographically.

Info to apply is on this page (scroll down to DO YOU HAVE A HORSE SUITABLE FOR ANY OF THESE DEMONSTRATIONS?)

http://www.montyroberts.co.uk/content.asp?id=4&doc=93

 

[loopeepee]

OOOhh, that would be something really interesting to do - I shall have a looksee, and talk to Mum and sister (as it is her pony!). Thanks for that.

 

[Oaksflight]

Mine recently did a monty roberts demo for loading, not with the man himself but some of the people he's trained. Couldn't recommend it enough, mine now walks straight in to trailer and horse box. He's as bad as yours for clipping, when he gets used to the noise, if you get mini clippers or a shaver, then put him on a lunge line and pref. one of the monty roberts headcollars, then press the razor next to them on, and keep it next to them until they eventually calm down, then once you can touch him all over with it, give him a treat and end. This is what one of monty roberts trained behavourist did to my friends mare, who is now fine to clip.

 

[Louby]

My horse was also very scared of being clipped. He hasnt had a bad experience as Im the only person to have clipped him but I struggled for two years, dicing with death. I then bought some cordless Moser Avalon clippers and at last I can clip him. I think although he was scared of the clipper, he was more scared of the wire. These small clippers can do a full clip but sound like a trimmer and theres no more panicking hes going to leap on the wire.

 

[BethH]

I used an electric toothbrush in a feedbucket and put a feed bucket on top with food in it! It is amazing what they cope with when a hard feed is involved, Ryan got used to the noise and the vibration whilst having a lovely meal - and no plug sockets required! The other thing I did was buy a fab very simple clipper - is is called Avalon i think, by moser, it is about the size of a ladyshave, really quiet and battery operated, is £180-190 but very good for a 1 horse owner, holds a really good charge and I can fully clip Ryan without re-charging, also doesn't get very hot. Hope that helps!

 

[TequilaMist]

Cordlessones worked for my daughters pony who used to go nuts .She even lets her face get done.
Did know someone who used a vibrator to desensitise her horse to clippers!!Used to rub it over horses body.Did work tho not suprisingly she did get some odd looks and remarks !!!Your mum might not be keen on that idea tho!!

 

[SSM]

I'm in the same boat!

I bought a 'human' clippers set from Lidl - every evening I stand in the stable while she is eating with them running.

The first time I turned them on she shot to the back of the stable and turned her bum on me

I perserved and I can now hold the clippers, running anywhere on her body. Will borrow a full size set and do the same thing.

Good luck

 

[loopeepee]

Right well tomorrow will be my first day of trying then (I am competing him today....eek, have done so for a yr and a half as he is Nellie's pony!)

Am going for the electric toothbrush/teeny tiny trimmers in feed bucket approach. I just hate scaring the poor lamb because he is usually the most well behaved pony you would meet.

 

[brighteyes]

I think I have heard it all now! What a fab idea. Now, how to apply it to farm traffic problems.........

 

[Sparklet]

Battery operated clippers run at a much lower frequency than electric ones and many horses tolerate those. Much safer too if you have a worried one.