Tips needed for clipping a nervous cob

[cobstar]

Does anyone have any additional tips for me! Henry is fine having his mane and tail hogged and is not afraid of the noise of the clippers but when I go anywhere near his legs he keeps snatching them up quickly so he risks getting cuts on his legs. I have tried to keep the clippers against his legs as recommended but he is so quick snatch them up I have a hard time tring to avoid cutting him and have to swipe the clippers away!

Have tried the usual suggestions like leaving them running hear him, laying my hand on him with the clippers over the top, twitching etc. but the only think I can do is sedate which means he learns nothing!

The clippers are my own Hauptner 2000 (which are supposedly the quietest on the market) so I obviously have them handy for practising getting him used to them. I have also sent them away for sharpening and a service to make sure they are in tip top condition so no risk of them not running right.

Any tips gratefully received!

 

[AmyMay]

I think that it's the vibration of them that can make some do this. I know of a little horse that did this - wasn't frightened, just didn't like his feather clipped.

Can you do his feather with scissors and a comb instead???

 

[cobstar]

i tried last time with scissors and comb and it took me hours over several days. He is quite a hairy cob bless him. Would love to leave the hair on but I am sure in a month he would look like Snuffelupagus off sesame street!!!!

 

[fairhill]

My mare does this - she can be clipped everywhere but her legs, which are the bits that really need it. My mum now uses scissors on them, they look like norah batty stockings, but it's much safer.
She kicks out because her skin is really flaky and sensitive on her legs, and the clippers have hurt them in the past.
The only time we managed to get hers clipped was with sedation, but even then I needed to be quick on my feet to avoid her kicks.

Good luck!

 

[amzy]

I have exactly the same problem - will happily be hogged and clipped elsewhere but NOT on the legs. He has rather bad, flakey skin there and will not tolerate clippers when standing. HOWEVER, if we lift a leg up and then clip it he isn't so bad but don't ask me why LOL. This, however, is easier with two people - one to hold the leg and the other to clip. If I'm on my own then I just use scissors but it does take a lot of time and isn't so neat.

 

[mandagus]

Turn the clippers on and hold them against his skin, start off on his neck.... does he react ok to this? If so remove them and reward.

The point is - is when you put the clipeprs on and he messes around stay with him and as soon as he stands still or relaxes remove them as a reward.
He then learns that if he stands still they go away and this will help him feel confident about the situation and more in control.
Also helps him to learn to stnad still for things and it all gets done quick if we stand still.

Gradually move down his shoulder and to his legs using this process. Maybe every day you might get further down his legs and his confidence grows.

It may take a while but patience is the key here and by the end of it you will have a horse de-sensitized to clippers.

In your first session you might not get all the way down his leg but even if its just the top of his leg it will be a start.

Then when you come back the next day he will have had a chance to think about it (latent learning) and feel safe and confident.

So jus to confirm - hold the clippers aginst his skin, stay with him whilst he moves and things, as soon as he relaxes then take away and reward.

As soon as he is ok with this you can then start back at the top of the leg and repeat the process but actually go against the fur this time.

Go in the school and practise on a lunge lnie that way if he definitley feels the need to leave he can but it will be in a school and not the dangerous confinement of a stable.
You may end up with a patchy horse but he will eb ahappy hrose and if people laugh at him then tell them to fcuk off

 

[Rainbowrider]

I had a cob exactly like this and I found that if I lifted her leg up and placed her foot on a sturdy upturned bucket, she would let me clip her legs off.
Although I also think it's just not worth it if you are risking being kicked or hurt.

 

[SpruceRI]

Maybe he's ticklish? One of my girlies are ticklish under stifle/belly area and kicks upwards. I've given up clipping those bits because it's not worth me or her getting injured. Certainly try getting someone holding your cobs' alternate leg up, or even holding up the leg your clipping. Or else....give up!