My gelding has been twitched every the previous owners trimmed his ears for a show. How can I get him used to the clippers w/o him blowing up? He see the twitch and leans back and doesn't want anything to do with it! How can I help him get over this. Any suggestions? I show and I am by myself, so twitching him is going to be very difficult by myself. I'd rather him just be calm and not use anything at all! How can I condition him to the clippers? Just keep buzzin them around his head every day? HELP!!
My gelding has been twitched every the previous owners trimmed his ears for a show. How can I get him used to the clippers w/o him blowing up? He see the twitch and leans back and doesn't want anything to do with it! How can I help him get over this. Any suggestions? I show and I am by myself, so twitching him is going to be very difficult by myself. I'd rather him just be calm and not use anything at all! How can I condition him to the clippers? Just keep buzzin them around his head every day? HELP!!
I'm having the same problem myself. I was given a beautiful show mare. And like the gal who asked the question, I am by myself as well. It really makes a difference in what you can and cannot do safely. I was spoiled by my first horse who let me do anything without hesitation. Starting over with a horse with issues is a real eye opener. Thanks for all the great suggestions. I think I'll get right to work on that...
I'm having the same problem myself. I was given a beautiful show mare. And like the gal who asked the question, I am by myself as well. It really makes a difference in what you can and cannot do safely. I was spoiled by my first horse who let me do anything without hesitation. Starting over with a horse with issues is a real eye opener. Thanks for all the great suggestions. I think I'll get right to work on that...
To answer your question is not easy, because all situations are quite different. I would try trimming his feet with the clippers, and starting down low, then slowly working your way up his body. If you start at the head, you will probably make the horse uncomfortable. Let me know if this helps. It is a method that I used on my horse.
To answer your question is not easy, because all situations are quite different. I would try trimming his feet with the clippers, and starting down low, then slowly working your way up his body. If you start at the head, you will probably make the horse uncomfortable. Let me know if this helps. It is a method that I used on my horse.
I have two horses that have been eared prior to me purchasing them. I show both so they need to be clipped. I never start at the head, start at the legs and work up. It gives him time to get used to it. Then work up to the head. Never get mad and lose your patience. The horse wins if you do. Go slow, speak to him. Stop and pet in between. Remember if you are clipping for a show, do it weeks ahead of time so you don't rush. Gradually clip weekly until he looks pretty good. I never use a twitch, but I will use my hand to cup his muzzle and clip the sides of his nose. With the ears, I don't even clip, but pretend to clip starting with the bridle path area to get him used to it prior to clipping. One idea that has not been mentioned so far, when clipping the head, be taller than the horse. Stand on a bucket. For some reason the horse accepts it better. Never clip hard tied. It takes time and patience doing this "regularly". Good Luck!
I have two horses that have been eared prior to me purchasing them. I show both so they need to be clipped. I never start at the head, start at the legs and work up. It gives him time to get used to it. Then work up to the head. Never get mad and lose your patience. The horse wins if you do. Go slow, speak to him. Stop and pet in between. Remember if you are clipping for a show, do it weeks ahead of time so you don't rush. Gradually clip weekly until he looks pretty good. I never use a twitch, but I will use my hand to cup his muzzle and clip the sides of his nose. With the ears, I don't even clip, but pretend to clip starting with the bridle path area to get him used to it prior to clipping. One idea that has not been mentioned so far, when clipping the head, be taller than the horse. Stand on a bucket. For some reason the horse accepts it better. Never clip hard tied. It takes time and patience doing this "regularly". Good Luck!
I have ahorse that you could not even touch his ears. Now I scratch inside his ears and clip inside his ears. It takes awhile if your prepared to take your time. I would have the clippers running near him not near the ears to where he is comfortable and not reacting. slowly and day by day (repitition) you will get closer and closer. Eventually rubbing slowly up both sides of his next only to where he is comfortable. He must be able to learn to trust you and as you would be aware his ears are sensitive.Never punish him. Firm but fair. ensure you blades are sharp and the clippers are not hot.Believe me it can be done but you will need weeks of patience but the end result is a quiet horse allowing you to clip his ears.
I have ahorse that you could not even touch his ears. Now I scratch inside his ears and clip inside his ears. It takes awhile if your prepared to take your time. I would have the clippers running near him not near the ears to where he is comfortable and not reacting. slowly and day by day (repitition) you will get closer and closer. Eventually rubbing slowly up both sides of his next only to where he is comfortable. He must be able to learn to trust you and as you would be aware his ears are sensitive.Never punish him. Firm but fair. ensure you blades are sharp and the clippers are not hot.Believe me it can be done but you will need weeks of patience but the end result is a quiet horse allowing you to clip his ears.
i have a suggestion that may help,its called presure on and off by your describtion the horse is associated clippers with pain by twitching,by feeding he will associate food as safty instead off you it will work its just a cover up in my opinin i would sugest hold your horse do not tie,get the clippers not on work close with him start near his sholder when he gives you the slightest sine off relaxing by ear movment breathing any sing step away give him a few seconds to think then start again each time go closer to his ear this will not take long this way it will build confidence in him towards you he will see you with respect with no pain. i belive in restrants but with no pain i belive work with a horse not against. mick from australia good luck
i have a suggestion that may help,its called presure on and off by your describtion the horse is associated clippers with pain by twitching,by feeding he will associate food as safty instead off you it will work its just a cover up in my opinin i would sugest hold your horse do not tie,get the clippers not on work close with him start near his sholder when he gives you the slightest sine off relaxing by ear movment breathing any sing step away give him a few seconds to think then start again each time go closer to his ear this will not take long this way it will build confidence in him towards you he will see you with respect with no pain. i belive in restrants but with no pain i belive work with a horse not against. mick from australia good luck
A great trainer (Kiff Parish) showed me this...At feeding time, remove the blades from battery operated clippers and place them in his feed. After he becomes comfortable with that run clippers over his face and ears. Don't attempt to clip him until this routine becomes non threatening. Have LOTS of patience..
A great trainer (Kiff Parish) showed me this...At feeding time, remove the blades from battery operated clippers and place them in his feed. After he becomes comfortable with that run clippers over his face and ears. Don't attempt to clip him until this routine becomes non threatening. Have LOTS of patience..
here in Australia we sometimes get a small ball of cotton wool and sew a long piece of cotton threw it , leaving the string hanging out of the ear push the cotton wool int the ear this dulls the niose of the clippers and when your finished and pull the string not only does the cotton ball come out it removes all cuttings aswell I wish you all the best,
here in Australia we sometimes get a small ball of cotton wool and sew a long piece of cotton threw it , leaving the string hanging out of the ear push the cotton wool int the ear this dulls the niose of the clippers and when your finished and pull the string not only does the cotton ball come out it removes all cuttings aswell I wish you all the best,
A lot of good suggestions and things to remember but what will work for you is to be as patient as you can and start with scissors. I usually cover the eye as well as I'm cutting with scissors. I used to be able to do a fabulous job that way. Start under the jaw and just clip away with scissors so your horse becomes comfortable with you. Then as they learn that they get a treat afterward they start thinking it's a good thing. Just keep working with your horse every day and when your ready get the Wahl clippers that are cheap...around 25.00 and they don't make much noise. Do as your friend mentioned above to squeeze the ear when you start to clip and do it fast the 1st few times so the horse knows it didn't take long and it didn't hurt. Sometimes that helps. The only thing I'm not sure about with the feeding time clipping is some horses don't want to be bothered while eating...although it's a great idea if you know your horse well. One thing that my horse likes and I would have never dreamed in a million years she would let me clean her ears with a wet rag. If your horse will get used to that it will help. The more you touch your horses ears the better off it will be. Parelli helps with that too with the stick. Rub her ears with the stick and her pole and face. They enjoy it once they know it's not going to hurt them.
A lot of good suggestions and things to remember but what will work for you is to be as patient as you can and start with scissors. I usually cover the eye as well as I'm cutting with scissors. I used to be able to do a fabulous job that way. Start under the jaw and just clip away with scissors so your horse becomes comfortable with you. Then as they learn that they get a treat afterward they start thinking it's a good thing. Just keep working with your horse every day and when your ready get the Wahl clippers that are cheap...around 25.00 and they don't make much noise. Do as your friend mentioned above to squeeze the ear when you start to clip and do it fast the 1st few times so the horse knows it didn't take long and it didn't hurt. Sometimes that helps. The only thing I'm not sure about with the feeding time clipping is some horses don't want to be bothered while eating...although it's a great idea if you know your horse well. One thing that my horse likes and I would have never dreamed in a million years she would let me clean her ears with a wet rag. If your horse will get used to that it will help. The more you touch your horses ears the better off it will be. Parelli helps with that too with the stick. Rub her ears with the stick and her pole and face. They enjoy it once they know it's not going to hurt them.
Two more suggestions that you don't already have..... 1. Make sure your blades are not dull...dull blades pull the hair and will cause discomfort to your horse... making him object. 2. With the clippers in one hand, use your other hand to cup around the ear and "close it"....trim just the edges of the ear until he gets used to it ....it will muffle the sound of the clippers, and keep his attention on you. If absolutely nothing works, they make a twitch that can be screwed on like a clamp..and once it is in place, you will have your hands free to gently trim him. Good luck, go slow.
Two more suggestions that you don't already have..... 1. Make sure your blades are not dull...dull blades pull the hair and will cause discomfort to your horse... making him object. 2. With the clippers in one hand, use your other hand to cup around the ear and "close it"....trim just the edges of the ear until he gets used to it ....it will muffle the sound of the clippers, and keep his attention on you. If absolutely nothing works, they make a twitch that can be screwed on like a clamp..and once it is in place, you will have your hands free to gently trim him. Good luck, go slow.
clipping w/o a fight - i get alot of colts tht hve ths exact prblm. the way i like to do it, is start at feeding time. when u grain him and as hes eating just run the clippers over hs ears as u hold him (turned off of course) this will prbly be met wth "oh hell no"!! by him but just be gentle and go slow. after he gives up and stands quite for u rubbing them over hs ears as he eats(which could take several days) turn them on so he can hear them but DONT touch hm wth them. this will take several days of "oh hell no" b4 he stands quite wth them running proceed to touching and then clipping gently. also definatly use QUIET clippers!!!! patience and softness are the key. goodluck - terry- terry
clipping w/o a fight - i get alot of colts tht hve ths exact prblm. the way i like to do it, is start at feeding time. when u grain him and as hes eating just run the clippers over hs ears as u hold him (turned off of course) this will prbly be met wth "oh hell no"!! by him but just be gentle and go slow. after he gives up and stands quite for u rubbing them over hs ears as he eats(which could take several days) turn them on so he can hear them but DONT touch hm wth them. this will take several days of "oh hell no" b4 he stands quite wth them running proceed to touching and then clipping gently. also definatly use QUIET clippers!!!! patience and softness are the key. goodluck - terry- terry
