HELP. I need advice on my two year olds feathers-he needs them cut.

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Sammie&Spoilt

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Hello. I need a bit of advice on how to cut my two year old's feathers. He's wpb, so needds them cut for the showing season this year. I've been doing small sections, however he will not keep his leg still. I've tried picking his leg up to cut his feathers off, but he's having none of it. It really is starting to annoy me now. All of our other horses's feathers are cut off apart from his. GRRRR. :confused:
 
I'm going to be shot down for this, and it's not personal OP, but please, do yourself a favour, teach the bugger some manners.


Take your time, don't focus on just trimming, but get him used to having feather/legs touched, clipped, it will pay off. Did when my traditional wouldn't let me brush/oil his.
 
Some horses can be quite funny about their feather being touched. We used to have a little cob on our yard who was just a saint - but go near his feather, and he went ape.

Check that your scissors are nice and sharp - so not tweaking him, or perhaps think about using trimmers....
 
If they are v long, chop the length off first with scissors quickly & get him used to having the shorter hair brushed, then trim properly with comb & scissors. Sometimes with full feather, its just that they aren't used to the sensation of having stuff close to the skin, & cutting the worst off first means its easier to see what you're doing.
 
Thank you. He's a two year old ~(colt) and is a little *****. I agree, he needs to learn manners, but it is really difficult as we're battling with who's boss. And believe me, he's not getting way with it. his feathers are about 1-2 inches long, the idea of holding up thye oppositeleg really is a good idea, we've done it once before but the little bigger just umped up and put all his weight on us. so did it again and kicked us, so couldn't do it as was in pain, then tried it again, did it again, so this time he got a slap. GRRR why did I buy him. Hahha, i love him lots. thanks for all your help. Will post pictures when it's done:D
 
Spend a lot of time handling his legs - as a colt he is reacting to what in horse language is an aggresive act on your part.

If you watch colts play fighting they grab each others legs.

Try using the special horse razors - they do a good job of feather.
 
brighteyes said:
Geld him. For a start. Then learn horsemanship.
Click to expand...


That's a bit mean! Two year olds can be little buggers - no matter how experienced the handler is.

Yes, he does need to be gelded, but for the moment - the problem at hand needs to be resolved. I'd spend a few days running a comb through his feathers, and praising him for putting up with it. If he creates, take the pressure off, give him a scratch, and then start again. Pick his feet up, and hold them a little bit longer than he wants you to (handy hint, it's easier to keep hold of waving feet if you you hold the toe!).

Don't force him to take too much - a few goes with each leg before finishing on a good note will be plenty for a baby. You just need to focus on doing stuff to his legs/feet, until he finds it all very very boring.
 
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