Please help! Probs clipping ticklish horse

[moodles]

Happy New Year to Everyone!

Tried to give my youngster a trace clip today and he was fine to start with - not scared of the clippers and happy for me to do his neck and sides. As soon as I moved to do his tummy he started fidgeting and when I persisted he started kicking out and stamping etc. Moved back to neck and he was fine and even happy for me to clip half his head, resting his chin on my shoulder! Managed to do his tummy by getting someone to hold up a front leg but no chance of doing round elbows and between front legs as he started rearing with one leg held up. I did persevere but eventually gave up before someone got hurt. Did do neck again to try and finish on a good note as he was getting v agitated. He's a very good boy with most things and never been aggressive before. Clippers were not hot and were cutting well so not blunt blades.

Two questions-
Any ideas how I can tidy up elbows and between front legs. Not looking for perfection but they are ridiculously tufty! Friend has offered small battery trimmer but not sure he will tolerate this. Would a bic disposable razor be any good?

What do you think I should do next year? Not a fan of twitching but do you think this would work? Or should I ask vet about ACPs or sedation. Would that stop the kicking as have seen some horses still quite perky after ACPs. Would like to minimise the trauma for him so it doesn't become a real issue.

Thanks in advance for any ideas.
x

 

[Jesstickle]

Have you got and did you try your trimmers? Often nice quiet trimmers are less of an issue when starting on vulnerable areas like bellies. If you haven't tried that that would be my first port of call.

ETA oops. You haven't tried. I would. They are MUCH quieter and vibrate a lot less and you may find he hardly notices them compared to big clippers

 

[better half]

Leave his rugs off for a while and have another go when he is a bit colder.
His skin won't be so ticklish.

 

[Dizzydancer]

Try with the trimmers, they are much less quieter and much less vibration so he maybe less ticklish. I wouldnt bother using ACP if it is only for small area really as it doesnt actually stop them being able to kick out/rear they are just a bit trapped. I would personally just twitch briefly whilst you did tickly bits, he should then get used to it over time. Agree leave off rugs let him get chilly for a bit and reduce his ticklishness!!

 

[moodles]

thanks, will try tomorrow with trimmers and leave his rugs off for a while first. Thanks for the tip - would never have thought of that!