Getting extremely sensitive-skinned horse used to clipping?

B

BeckyD

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 September 2004
Messages
4,213
Location
Milton Keynes
Visit site
I have a bit of a problem. Ronnie is fine with clippers - their noise, vibration etc, but cannot stand it when they actually start to cut. When I bought him he was immaculately clipped, except his ears which the owner said she couldn't do at all. But she said he was fine to clip - a year on she seems to have been honest about him in other ways, but god dammit he will NOT be clipped.

How do I acclimatise him to the clipping sensation? He literally goes mental when they start to cut. I had him sedated by the vet last year and he was still twitching and squirming. I have Moser (Wahl) Avalon clippers which are supposed to be really good for sensitive horses, but they don't seem to help any.

Really don't want to go to expense and trouble of vet sedation every time...
 
will be interested in any replies because my mare is exactly the same even when she is sedated she sweats and she is so ticklish!
crazy.gif
 
I assume your other horses do not object to these clippers ? I only ask because my TB is absolutely fine until/unless the blades are a bit blunt or not adjusted properly and I assume they must snag and pull the hair, because she will get restless about the whole thing and start being silly. I now keep a set of blades just for her and get them re-sharpened every other clip, even though they ought to last longer.
 
My clippers have only clipped him (brand new, didn't even get more than an inch clipped before he tried to kill me, and believe me he's not joking), but he's had 3 other sets try to clip him and reacted the same to all of them. I will see if someone else will try mine on their horse, just to check (I'm sure they are ok).

Thanks for suggestion, def worth looking into.
 
I've got a tb like that and I doubt there's anything you can do except sedate them - mine can't even bear being brushed unless it's with a very soft bruch and no way could you ever clip him.
I just leave mine as long as possible so as to only clip him once a year whcih works fine. IMO it's not worth the risk to horse or yourself to do anything else.
 
I'm the same as Bonny. My mare is very ticklish - fine with the noise etc but as soon as you clip her skin starts twitching and she won't stand still. I've given up on getting her used to it - far easier for her and me to just sedate her. Usually double the recommended dose of Sedalin keeps her quiet enough. And, like Bonny, I usually get her clipped in early December so I only have her done once.

x
 
I have a very thin skinned hackney mare who suffers from severe sweet itch - whether this has anything to do with the trouble I have clipping her I have no idea but I have done everything properly - ran clippers near her for a year but as soon as they touch her skin she will try and kill you and seriously try and kill you.

She also does not like to be groomed very much either and I think this all has something to do with the thin skin.

Sometimes its not worth trying to persevere - Its too dangerous.

Unfortunately sedalin does not work she has to have "heavy duty" intravenous sedation.

Safety is more important than trying to clip a horse who does not want to be clipped. After being kicked in the head a few times when I did try I just get the vet out and sedate her and just get the hair out as quickly as possible!!

It doesnt matter if the "lines" aren't quite correct - at least you'll still be alive!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top