Full Clipping - The Face.

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graciemoo

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OK, so my friend and I clipped Buddy about 3 weeks ago now (a Trace clip). We tied him up and started his shoulder, but when we went onto his neck he pulled back a little, and then a little more, until he had complete tension on the lead rope.

Because I think it is the first time he has ever had a clip, I wanted to make it a calm experience for him, so we agreed to give him the sedation (less than recommended but a little). However, I think he spat most of it out. So although he was calm for the rest (apart from when we turned him around to do other side and started again) I don't think he actually had all that much sedation.

So anyway - to the point!
I am going to take everything off in the next few week - what is the best way to approach the face? I know some don't like the vibrations. He shook his head when we did behind his ears for the Trace. And I don't want any bad experiences.

Any tips?
 
Leave the face on - or just do a half face.

Very few horses need the whole face taken off. And if he is still a little nervy about it you could ruin him for life....
 
Just take your time - are you planning on removing all of his face fur or just half of it? All horses are different - my TB hates being clipped and is really quite difficult, however, her face is the easiest bit to do (with the exception of ears)!
 
Perosnally I wouldn't have resorted to sedation at all, have never had to use any yet! I think the best way to go about it is to be firm but calm. When we got my sister's horse he (as far as we knew) had never been clipped and he wasn't overly keen - mainly because it is a strange sensation for them I guess.

We just ignored his protests (although it wasn't much really, just a little bit tense). I think she only did a low trace that first time but, since then he stands and falls asleep and has a hunter clip now. He is bette behaved than my horse who has been clipped for years but then he's just impatient and a fidget!

If starting on the face, clip under the chin first to gage a reaction - generally I find unless a horse is really panicked by it all they quite like the sensation uner their chin. Also, it means if they really don't like it and you can't go on noone can really see! Then clip the cheek. If the first attempt then I would only clip up to the cheebone (ues that as your line) and jsut do a half face. I wouldn't try going to clip the whole face initially. I clip my horse's face but cannot clip his ears as he just won't have it! so i try and clip as much as i can around them and trim the edges as it were.

Just do a little at a time, be confident and calm and you shouldn't really need to use calmers/sedation.
 
Don't tie him up, just hold him in the stable put the clippers near to his face a turn on until he stands still and reward him by turning them off again and giving him a pat, turn the clippers back on a put them a little bit closer and do the same again, when he stands still turn the clippers off. You might have to do that for a few days until he lets you clip the face but it will let him settle and realise that when his good the clippers get turned off.
 
For the first few clips don't do the face. The bones in the face are near the surface and the horse does not like the vibration. When you have clipped a couple of times just try the lower half of the face and build up gradually.
 
Personally, I would leave the face on or just do up to the bridle line, thats what I do with my chap. He is excellent to clip but is VERY funny about his ears. I just dont think it is worth the hassle as it doesn't make much idfference.
 
Yeah stick to either the chin or half the face for a first attempt. The eye sockets are a bugger to do anyway! hehe

I have to clip my horse's face, he gets thick coarse hair and has a white blaze and it just looks grotty and horrid if not clipped. I couldn't allow him to go out in public! Plus, my horse is a bit weird and likes the vibration of the clippers on his face, esp if you just rest them on his muzzle!
 
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Personally, I would leave the face on or just do up to the bridle line, thats what I do with my chap. He is excellent to clip but is VERY funny about his ears. I just dont think it is worth the hassle as it doesn't make much idfference.

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Same as mine - I only do half the face and there is no difference.

Piaffe, your horse's topline in pic 5 is amazing.
 
I do a M&M clip on Melly - full body clip but leave on all the face and legs as I need her beard and feathers for showing, and she is only just getting used to clippers near her head. Last year I had to finish her neck with hand powered clippers, this year she let me clip right up to her ears and do a bridle path...it takes time and patience. x
 
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