Preparing for winter

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malibu211211

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Paid the rest of the money for this winter's hay today (could of cried
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), tried all rugs on to make sure they fit beastie and have sent last lot off to be cleaned (damn it! no rug shopping needed
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) Have everything sorted for moving yards in a couple of weeks (yippee!!!
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)
Now all I need is for Monty to like the clippers and everything will be fine but how?
He is terrified of them even when they are switched off he snorts at them and refuses to come close
Any ideas please?
 
sometimes it is necessary to sedate. I have had to give in with a couple of horses over the years because them being 17.2+ it is just not viable to being pushed around, squished, and fighting a losing war
however, if you want to get the horse more calm, introduce them more often - get them out everytime u groom, and dont go near them, just play with them outside the stable so he can see. sometimes go in but dont touch him, let him see them, sniff them, watch them when they are on and off, and let him be aware of them. twitching helps aswell if u dont want to sedate, but remember that clippers are so dangerous 0 the great milton hated being clipped and was off for 18months after an injury whist being clipped..better safe than sorry.
 
I'd dope him and take as little off as you can get away with. For the first time I think it is best to just to make the whole thing as quick and stress free as possible. If they start getting worked up, twitchy and sweaty you can't clip anyway so it is better to be proactive and take the edge off before you even start.
 
When I bought Sherman in April this year he was incredibly hairy and everyone told me to clip him, even though it was late. He is very laid back and I thought it would be easy - silly me! He was a nightmare and I ended up getting the vet to sedate him, it was a big job as he was incredibly hairy and even with 2 of us doing a side each at the same time he started to come round before we were finished, but we did manage to get it done. I only had the vet as it was such a big job, every single bit of him needed doing. Because he is a cob bits of him like his mane and legs are going to need doing all year round so something had to be done. I started by getting the clippers out every single time I brought him in, and just left them on the wall, I didnt tie him up because that seemed to panic him more. He ran about and snorted a lot at first but I just ignored him, I couldn't go in the stable with him at first but after a few days he calmed down enough for me to groom him while they were there and we just went on from there in little steps. If he ever said "this is too much!" I just went back to where he was comfy and then tried again later. The thing with Sherman is, he does love his food, he is a cob after all! and I found that I could press things on a bit while he was eating. Anyway, last week I was finally able to actually clip his legs and hog him, and I didn't even have to use a twitch! Just a friend holding him and a massive bucket of food, when the food ran out I stopped and I had to do it over 2 days but the point is I did it and it was even better than I thought! So my advice would be to start now while your not under pressure to do it quickly, and let him set the pace and just keep at it. It took me about 4 weeks to do what I have described here, persistance is the key! Good luck!
 
As others have suggested just let him get used to them every day as you groom without switching them on.I think the smell of the clipper oil winds some up,i also wrap the cabble around them first so that it is not trailing.Rather than put the clippers on first i use an electric toothbrush, they are bit quieter and smaller and you can place them on the horse to get them used to the vibration.Obviuosly yours and your horses safety are paramount so if he is still scared then sedation is the best thing for him.
 
I'll have the same problem with TBx this winter - she hates clippers. I threatened to wax her last time...
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I borrowed a friend's wahl dog clippers last time and did her in five stages. It worked much better but she looked a bit odd until it was all done
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take clippers [ not switched on] into stable everytime you feed Monty and groom him. when he gets to the point of ignoring them "groom" him with them. when hes ok about this have someone hold then running near the stable door, when hes ok with this repeat all above until hes very relaxed bout it all. you can even make a cassette tape of running clipper noise and leave it playing near him.
it might all take a while but it should calm his fears and leave you with an easy -to-clip horse.
 
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