Is it really possible to desensitize a clipper phobia horse

Reading with interest - my boy seems to be 'ok' once we've got going; but certainly is not relaxed and can't get near his head and daren't try his legs. It seems to be the noise with him. Just wondered if anyone tried cotton wool in ears?
 
Whatever you do, please be careful! Sometimes it's just safer to sedate. I live with the consequences of a bad clipping accident several years on......
 
I got kicked just below the knee which shattered the tibial plateau. I was told I would never ride again and would always walk with a limp but have just started eventing again this year and can walk fine! I used to be a serious runner though and can't do more than jog a few steps. I still have the pins and plates in my leg and am making the most of riding before I need a knee replacement in a few years. Count myself very lucky but I wish I hadn't persevered and twitched the horse. I guess I was just unlucky.
 
Have you tried putting ear plugs in his his ears? I clip a lot and do a pony who is twitchy the minute you turn the clippers on. Last year I popped sheepskin ear plugs in his ears - different pony. Clipped him yesteray and put the ear plugs in straight away. someone came up and asked if he was sedated!!!! Give it a go. You may be surprised. You can either make them by cutting an old sheepsking numnah up or buy them from Courtlea numnahs. You have to really push them in hard but they don't seem to min. Good luck
 
another who wonders if its a problem with blades.
do you clean them every few strokes, dip them in meths to cool and wash the hair out of them (when running) then squirt with clipper oil/wd40 and use sharp blades at the right tension?

is his coat clean? if hes particularily greasy it will pull on his skin making him uncomfortable.

this is why we prefer horses who havent been clipped before- if they havent had someone cock it up they are 99/100 fine as long as you give them chance and do it right to start with.

saying that we've never sedated anything, never needed to!
 
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