Oh no...clipping accident

[Loubiepoo]

Decided that I would have a go at clipping my boy myself this year for the first time. Read all the guides / tips that have been posted on here, everything was going fine until I have gone to do at the top of his front legs (armpit area!) and I have gone and cut him with the clippers, there were three bleeding lines and a bit of skin hanging off, I feel so bad, he was such a good lad too, stood nice and quiet all the time for me. Just feel relly bad that I have injured him

 

[amandathepanda]

Poor pony, give him big hugs, a yummy carrot or 6 and I am sure he will forgive you. First time I clipped a horse out I scalped his stifle... it does get easier with practise, honest!

 

[Sags_Deer]

sounds like you may have been going in at the wrong angle and not holding the skin tight where necessary. you should really get someone to hold the front leg forward and hold the loose skin. not nice for your poor neddie.

 

[carthorse]

Be careful around this area and remember next time he will remember. You need someone to pull the leg forward and you go to the opposite side to do it. If you are worried about this area , then leave it , no one will notice and if you catch him again he will get a phobia.It is the most difficult place to clip

 

[Stella]

Must say that I only do as much of that area as can be seen because it can be difficult and my girl is ticklish there. I feel better that than risk upsetting her! Poor boy - he will forgive you though, but will probably be wary about the area next time.

 

[I_A_P]

yes next time make sure you get someone to hold up the leg to pull the skin taught-if he is really difficult to do there then leave it-my armpits on my horses never look perfect unless i can easily see what i am doing and its easy to get to.

Unless you are confident dont do it!

 

[Loubiepoo]

Thanks for your replies, he does get really sweaty round there which is why I thought I'd better try and do it. I did have someone holding his leg forward but it just didn't stretch the skin out enough. I think I will leave it next time, or get someone else to do it!!

 

[Sags_Deer]

just watch how other people do it, you should be okay if you hold the skin tight tho and maybe stretch the leg more forward. also if your horse is senstive do that area ealier on so blades dont get too hot. otherwise whack so sudocream on the existing nicks. im sure your horse will forgive you.

 

[skewbaldpony]

I think someone must have done the same to my dd's ponio, he was perfect to clip until I got to his off stifle and then he did his nut, we had to hold a front leg up, and there was some scar tissue lurking under the skin there!
So I would second the advice to 'look out next time' but I'm sure he'll forgive you. My cob's ripped himself to shreds on a bramble bush several times this autumn, but it hasn't stopped him blackberrying!!!

 

[happihorse]

You need to really pull his leg far forward and up to stretch the skin flat to clip under there. Get someone to hold his leg forward and up and then grap a handful of his flesh / skin and pull it out flat. It is a really awkward place to clip, but if you fiddle about enough pulling the flesh smooth before clipping, you shouldn't go wrong. I hate clipping there - it is always the worst place to do! Don't worry about nicking him - watch his girth doesn't rub and stop it from healing though!