How to reduce your horses fear of clipping
It’s the time of year when the evenings start to draw in and our horses coats are starting to change. For many people this indicates that it is time to get the clippers out. As you send the blades off for a sharpen it is a good idea to consider starting to prepare your horse for clipping. Many horses remain calm whilst being clipped however a lot of horses find clipping a stressful experience, when horses feel fearful or uncomfortable they communicate that to us in the only way they can, through their behaviour. As a prey species when a horse is scared they will instinctively move away from what is causing them to feel fear, if they are restricted from moving away they can resort to defensive behaviours such as kicking or biting. If the horse succeeds in creating space and getting the scary thing to move away then they can learn to use that behaviour to avoid what is causing them fear. Understanding the subtle signs of fear that your horse is showing will allow you to stay safer and reduce the stress the horse feels, which improves your relationship and their welfare.
It is a good idea to start training your horse before their first clipping experience to help ensure a calm clipping experience each year. Introduce the clipping experience in small stages starting with it at a distance where they don’t react before gradually bringing the experience closer, It can help to break it down to each sensory experience, the sight of the clippers and the lead on the floor. The sound of the clippers then the smell of the oil and the touch of the clippers before you turn them on. Keep the introduction sessions short and only add together these experiences when your horse is perfectly at ease.
You can see Frankie is not relaxed, his mouth his tight and he has his ears to the side. There is tension through his body, poised to move away. The clippers are not on and I am not preventing him leaving but I won’t make any further progress until he is truely relaxed and investigating the clippers.
If your horse is already fearful of the clippers it is a good idea to have a thorough and well thought out behaviour modification programme created by an accredited behaviourist to help your horse resolve their fear. When horses are fearful there is an increased risk of injury to you and potentially your horse. If you would like to change the clipping experience for you and your horse this year get in touch now.
Giving your horse time to be completely relaxed with the clippers will make clipping calmer and safer for everyone. Stay safe, wear a helmet and ensure the clippers wire is safe at all times.