How to Get a Horse Used to Clippers

Clippers can easily frighten a horse.

A horse has a natural flight instinct that often comes into play during unfamiliar situations. Clipping an animal whose flight instinct kicks in as soon as the clippers are flipped on is not only difficult, but dangerous. While a horse can be forced to stand relatively still during a clipping, it is far more beneficial to train the horse through a slow desensitization process, gaining the animal's trust and strengthening the bond between horse and owner.

Things You'll Need

• Clippers
• Halter and lead

Instructions

1. 

   Desensitize your horse gradually.

   Turn the clippers on in a distant part of the barn, preferably while the horse is being fed. Continue this until the horse eats comfortably and ignores the noise. Gradually move the clippers closer to the horse's stall until he shows no concern over the noise.

2. Hold the clippers in one hand, keeping them turned off. Rub the horse's neck and shoulders with your other hand. Over the course of several sessions, gradually rub the silent clippers over other parts of the horse's body. If the horse shows signs of panic, stop immediately. Only move slightly past the horse's comfort zone in each training session, rapidly moving back into the horse's comfort zone as soon as she shows signs of discomfort. Over time, her level of acceptance will grow.

3. Progress to rubbing the clippers--still turned off--over all parts of the horse's body which you will eventually want to trim. Again, do not move too far past your horse's level of acceptance, and never push the horse to panic. If you see the horse give signs of panic, immediately return to rubbing an area the horse already accepts.

4. Approach the horse with the clippers turned on. Rub the horse all over with your free hand.

5. Rub the horse with the clippers turned on once he seems comfortable with their presence, but do not clip him.

6. 

   Patience will gain your horse's trust.

   Clip the least sensitive areas of the horse first, once she can handle the clippers on her body. Gradually move to clipping all desired areas.

Tips & Warnings

• Remain patient and calm at all times to avoid tensing the horse.

• Allow at least 50 sessions to acclimate the horse to the clippers. Depending on the horse, this may take several months or more.

• Mary Hoffman of On Eagle's Wings Equine Center suggests that you check the clippers against your own cheek to be sure they are not too hot, too loud, shocking or otherwise uncomfortable.

• Keep in mind the goal of the training sessions: to train the horse to trust and accept new and possibly frightening situations. Do not become consumed by the desire to get the clipping done regardless of the effect a rushed job would have on the horse.

• Short hair clips better than long hair, causing less of an issue for a particularly ticklish animal.

References

• On Eagle's Wings Equine Center: Clipper Training
• Fear of Fireworks: Clipper Calming Programme for Horses

Resources

• University of Missouri Extension: Safe Ground Handling of Horses