Introducing clipping to a youngster

1985

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How do you go about this? So far I have been getting a friend to hold the clippers at the stable door/at the other side of the stable, whilst he gets a very thorough grooming, just to become accustomised with the sensation and the noise. And have also asked friends to clip thier horses just outside his stable (next door but one). Is there anything else I could do, or any tips of how to go about it?

Thanks
 
pony nuts
smile.gif


worked for us, mare had to choose to get herself close to the clippers to get a nut (just one!)
so started with them off- her touching them/getting close, then on, then off and on her (she got a nut for standing) start at shoulder then move about, and then on her shoulder and on. (nut for standing.) and then move them about.

she is now fine, though doesnt like top of her neck being done.
 
Tie him up next to a very quiet horse while it is clipped.
Also, run the clippers next to him, gradually geting closer. Progress to running them over his body, first of all switched off then switched on. Dont even think about clipping any hair off until the horse is accepting the running clippers being run all over his body.

Thn start with a small clip. stop before the horse has had enough. You must make sure that the blades are very sharp and cool them regularly, to avoid pinching/burning. That is disasterous for a young horse new to clipping!
 
clipped mine last year for 1st time, ended up doing her 4 times and she was brilliant. I had put the ground work in with her through the late summer/ autumn tho. I had the clippers running whilst i brushed her everday and then graduated to running them along her skin, turned off, after every grooming session so she got used to the sensation. When it was time to clip she was used to the sound and feeling and was perfectly behaved, except for near her ears so we still twitch her to do that bit.
 
as Kitsune said, introduce them while grooming to start with.
you can just have them running and in your pocket or something while you brush so they get used to the noise then start stroking them on the shoulders, then all over, then start clipping!

i do all of the above over about 2 weeks (everyday) and i can clip all of my youngsters with no headcollar, no fuss.
 
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