My horse is getting worse to clip.

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BFG

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Each time i clip he is getting worse, when i got him 6 years ago he stood stock still and was clipped all over his body.

I have clipped him at least twice a year every year since but each time he is getting worse. I clipped him today which is his second clip this year although his coat had grown back and he was a complete grot bag. I think he is just really ticklish the whole time his lip was twitching as if i was grooming him but he wouldn’t stand still he was fidgeting the whole time.

I know he is better that a lot of horses and i don’t think i need to sedate him but i just wondered if anyone else had experienced this?

My blades are sharp etc so it isn’t that and i know he has never had a bad experience.

Why is he getting worse????
 
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How are you when you do it? Nervous, hesitant or not firm enough. How is the horse if somebody else does the clipping?

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I am very confident in fact sometime i need to take a min so he can catch up with me, if that makes sense (bull in china shop). I don’t stop when he moves around and normally he gives up. He isn’t scared in the slightest and isn’t a naughty horse he just fidgets when I clip from his front legs/shoulder back to the start of his quarters.

I have never asked anyone else to clip him so maybe i should to see if it is me.
 
Are your blades getting hot? My sister does a lot of clipping, and figiting is normally the first sign of hot blades.
Some horses can take them quite warm, my mares quite sensitive and if they get too warm she starts to mess about.

If they arnt hot, Id take it more steady, I agree you shouldnt take away the clippers if he fidgets, as he'll learn moving about means clippers go away. But he should be with you, knowing where youre heading next.
 
Maybe in your quest to be the fastest clipper in the west you have been a bit rough over the years. ie accidently poking him or not making sure the skin is taught when you clip etc.You must oil your blades regularly to keep them cool, give you and your horse short breaks and be considerate!!
 
Is he standing in the nude while you clip him?
If so, he is maybe getting cold, so try putting a rug or blanket over the bits you aren't doing.
Also, give him a haynet or feed or something nice so he builds up pleasant associations.
If he's tickly, try grooming him with a plastic curry comb to satisfy his itchiness, periodically.
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I like to do head and shoulders and then give a net of hay or hayledge (special treat) before continuing. I also make sure I am not in a draught. If weather is cold, I put a rug over the areas I have done.

My blades do get hot fairly quickly - due to the thick coat I have to get through, so every 10 mins I stop to let them cool right down and oil them. Miss Delia would get very upset if the blades got warm as she has sensitive skin.

Also if Stinky fidgets and/or hangs his willy, I take him in the school for a pee as this is what he is telling me.

Finally if the coat is dirty the blades even when sharp can tug a bit and upset some horses.

Have you tried doing a little at a time to see if this improves things.
 
Ok the theme hear seams to be that i slow down so next time i will make sure i have plenty of time and take myself off for a brew in between so he can have a rest and chill out.

He always has a net but isn’t really a greedy horse so it doesn’t keep him occupied.

I will put a rug on him while clipping that could have been part of the issue yesterday.

Thanks for all your replies..
 
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