Scared of EVERYTHING

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team_taos

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Hi all,
Advice needed please...
I've recently got a new horse (December) and he is quite a wary sole. He's come on since I've had him and riding is fine. He is terrified of clippers, scissors etc. Now his old owner had him for 4 years and she could clip him and cut his feathers off but he will not let me do either! He is a cob X so has quite a lot to feather but I want to cut them off. I'm looking for ideas to help him overcome his fear/gain trust in me. I've tried to do a little bit everyday to get him over it but it doesn't seem to have changed!! HELP please!!! Thanks. Abby
 
I don't know if I'm gonna be of much help. But I adopted two rescue ponies last year. These little souls had a terrible start and were nursed back to health at a rescue centre before coming to me. They have a lovely life with me now. Peace and quiet. Food, lots of space and a warm cosy shelter. When they first arrived they were nervous like little kittens. Frightened of everything. Especially the older one. The baby was inquisitive so a bit braver. I have just had to build up their trust in me. Every day I try to do the same thing at similar times. I keep to a fairly tight routine. They seem to know what's coming next ! I've been very quiet around them. Talked to them constantly. I know that sounds daft but they know my voice now. I'm very slow around them. I am able to be in their shelter when they are both in there with no worry. I can walk around the back of my little one with no worry. My older one I have to still go carefully. They let me pick their feet without too much fuss. This might not seem much to anyone with horses with no nasty pasts like mine. But everyday I do something new and they are ok with it, it's a big step forward. So what I will say is. Gain his trust, it takes time. But the more you desensitised him the easier it gets in my opinion. It will come but you Gotta have patience. Good luck.
 
Thank you for this reply - and how lovely that you rescued those little guys. Yes I think you are right. I've owned my other horse for 11 years and you forget about the relationship you build over the years. Will just keep being patient and must not get disheartened! Thanks again :-)
 
I fed my horse with an electric toothbrush in another bucket underneath to help get used to the sound and vibration of clippers helped a lot. I also stood him tied up with a haynet next to other horses whilst they were being clipped so he could watch. It maybe that the old owner clippers were quieter, could you try one with a battery pack, they tend to be easier and less frightening than those with a cable.
 
We've got an ISH who is just a natural worrier and very sharp. Having had a difficult background - and just being him - he won't cower or flee if he is afraid. He'll attack you. Which can make him difficult - if not downright dangerous - to handle. When he first came clipping was an ordeal for all of us. But slowly slowly over time he came to trust us more and more and now he is pretty much great to clip except when you get near his head which needs a bit more care (and we have never managed more than a half head in 4 years!!) It is just about being calm and consistent. We found you can't move fast, raise your voice or even flinch. Building that relationship. Our lad is such a bright button - we've nearly sold him a few times when I felt we would not get there; and I kept a famous brand lasagne packet pinned over his stable at one point as a reminder of where he was heading if we couldn't come to terms with him. But he is so gifted in the ring. And actually really loving when he isn't trying to kill you.
 
Magnesium deficiency? As though they are running on adrenaline the whole time? If your grass/hay is deficient they will show behaviour they didn't in their old home. Easy to eliminate as a problem, just a couple of weeks on a good magnesium supplement should show changes if that is the problem
 
Mine was scared of clippers but I watched a video about it and listened to my horse, and now is straightforward to clip. I clip him in his stable because he is calmer there. And I don't tie him up. And I use Moser Avalon cordless clippers which are quieter and less vibration.
To start with I just ran the clippers outside his stable, then inside. He would fidget about, when he stood still I turned them off as reward. I gradually did more - holding them near him, with my hand on him and clippers on my hand, then clippers on him (but not cutting). Everytime he stood still I turned them off, patted him. Then did a bit more each day.
I can now clip him no probs, as have built the trust. I don't clip head as he doesn't like it, or his legs, but I can trim them no issues.
I would say with scissors, let him see them, smell them. When he is happy, move them so he can hear them "cutting". Rest your hand on him whilst "cutting". Same technique as above.
 
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