My horse dislikes being clipped and received’t stand nonetheless — what ought to I do?

Jason Webb of Your Horsemanship is a UK-based Australian horse coach with a ardour for beginning younger horses, fixing equine issues and educating riders of all talents easy methods to strengthen the partnership they’ve with their horses. Right here Jason provides one horse proprietor recommendation on clipping a horse that isn’t eager on the method

Q: My horse dislikes being clipped and received’t stand nonetheless – “I’ve been avoiding clipping however with two native varieties that each get sweaty strolling across the block and a hunter trial developing, it must be carried out. My Welsh is the issue. I’ve had him since he was a teen — he’s lived a beautiful life and he was purchased him up with the clippers properly — they had been by no means was an issue. I used to clip simply his stomach free within the secure as a three-year-old to get him used to it. I gave him a couple of treats, he favored it, then I progressed to an even bigger clip the extra work he was in.

“The older he’s bought, the more serious he’s develop into with clipping. Now as quickly as I flip the clippers on, he runs again like a wild animal and his eyes come out his head. He received’t ever kick or rear, however he received’t stand nonetheless. They’re the identical clippers I’ve all the time used and my different horse doesn’t have an issue, however he’s an out and out drama queen (he’s the identical with each facet of life).

“I actually don’t need to pay for him to be sedated — do you could have any concepts on how I can repair this? I’d depart him unclipped, however we have now two enjoyable rides developing and he’ll get far too scorching in his winter woollies!”

Jason Webb solutions – This horse appears like a pure worrier, which implies it would solely take the clippers to pinch as soon as or for somebody to strategy him in another way or a bit of shortly to make him develop into suspicious. You’ll have to return to the beginning with this horse. This implies making certain your groundwork is strong and that you’re assured with the desensitising course of earlier than you even try and deliver the clippers close to him however it is going to be time properly spent!

Earlier than introducing the clippers, your primary groundwork should be ok to allow you to put your horse the place you need them to face. That is key as a horse that’s operating throughout you and who doesn’t respect your area or have faith in you’ll not cope properly while you begin desensitising work with them.

You want to have the ability to again them up, lead them ahead, and transfer their shoulders, ribs and hindquarters to every facet independently of one another. There are some easy workouts you are able to do to put in this primary groundwork and this may aid you managing your horse in on a regular basis conditions and are value placing a while into. I like to recommend a rope halter and 12ft lead rope for any such work. As soon as your groundwork is nice sufficient it is possible for you to to maintain repositioning your horse simply and with minimal fuss.

The second course of to undergo together with your horse is desensitising them to the clippers and the noise. I have a tendency to start out with different objects similar to plastic luggage and a bottle with some rocks in it with the goal of having the ability to transfer it throughout their physique. The top, ears and legs are essentially the most delicate areas of a horse so be certain they’re assured with contact on their physique earlier than progressing to those components. Do you have to discover a delicate space, attempt to keep the place you’re till your horse stops transferring and relaxes, then take away the contact or noise. This rewards your horse for stopping and standing.

When you could have been by means of the desensitisation course of with a variety of objects, you may attempt an electrical toothbrush or related system that makes a noise like clippers however on a smaller scale. Take a look at the clipper app on-line when you don’t need to use your toothbrush! You’ll be able to then transfer on to the clippers themselves – begin with them turned off, then transfer on to them turned on however together with your hand between them and your horse. Work progressively till your horse is ready to stand relaxed with the clippers making contact with their physique. Solely when you attain that time must you attempt eradicating any hair.

Here’s a video which may assist: yourhorsemanship.com/clipping-exercise/

For extra data on Jason Webb and his on-line coaching base Your Horsemanship, the place you may be taught a basis in horse coaching with on-line classes in groundwork, beginning, and ridden fundamentals, amongst different matters, go to his web site

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