Clipping (please help!!)

I have a 4 year old reg.paint and quarter (has both papers) 3 of her leg has a good amount of white on them and so does her face.  The problem is that she HATES to be clipped. my trainer has tried everything it seems like: a lip chain, shoulder twitch, we have even lifted up one of her legs but she still pulls one of the others up and she falls on her knees. and it seems like she gets worse everytime. we didn;t clip her for about a month and then we had a show coming up so we had to clip her again but we ended up not clipping her legs cause it really didn't matter for the show since it was kinda muddy. but ANY tips would great!

Have you thought about giving her a calming agent, something holistic or homeopathic, that way it is not going to affect her. Here are some suggestions of some. I hope these help you would have to make the final discission if these re an option, they can be found everywere pretty much on the net. If you put in any of the bolded words you should come up with plenty of choices and options.

Valerian -- is a relaxant and provides mild pain relief. Gives relief from emotional stress, reduces anxiety, nervousness, and muscular tension. Soothes the nervous system. For horses that can become tense, difficult and nervous during training or at competitions.

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Chamomile Flowers - dried

 -- One of our favorites. Chamomile contains high levels of calcium, magnesium and also potassium, iron, manganese and zinc. it has many beneficial effects. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy, aids digestion, relieves muscle spasm and aches and pains, is a relaxant and has wound healing effects. Use Chamomile to treat hay fever, asthma, sinusitis, gastrointestinal disturbances, nervous tension. An excellent cleanser and toner for the digestive tract; helps eliminate dandruff/scurf. Especially well known for its ability to ease cases of tension, stress and restlessness. Feed one handful dried flowers daily.

Herbalcalm

-- Contains Valerian Root, Hops and Chamomile. A herbal feed supplement that helps to reduce nervousness, stress, tension, anxiety and nervous energy. All-natural dried herbs; no fillers. Proven to be effective and very popular. 

Herbal Calming Formula (valerian free)

 -- A liquid extract containing Vervain, Hops and Passionflower. Helps the horse concentrate and relieve show jitters or any stressful situations. Assists to strengthen the nervous system and alleviate tension. 

Flower Remedy, Calming Blend --

This blend is made with Rescue remedy and other Essences to provide poise, balance, confidence, recovery from stress, composure and the ability to face stressful situations or environments in a steady and calm manner. Useful any time the horse is feeling nervous or jittery or horse that are moody and irritable, horses that are anxious and lose control easily. Can be used long-term for nervousness or jumpiness.

Flower Remedy, Confidence Blend

 -- This is for use before races/competitions and for timid horses. It may help the horse to focus on his work and doing a good job. Symptoms such as impatience, muscular tension, short bursts of temper, frustration, over-sensitive to surrounding environment, insecurity , may all be eased. The horse may be less affected by adverse conditions, also more calm, capable and clever. 

Flower Remedy, Rescue Remedy

 -- This is the classic Bach Flower essence blend for all emergencies. This is the most useful of all Flower remedies and is actually a combination of five other remedies that act synergistically to calm stress and fear. This is wonderful any time there is shock, stress or fear, has a stabilizing and calming effect in a variety of stress inducing situations. It is an invaluable addition to any first aid kit and can be safely used before a vets visit, shoeing, traveling, moving home. Will revive animals in shock. For example - accidents, frights, falls, terror, panic or injuries, emotional upsets. 

Rescue Remedy Spray

 -- This is the classic Bach Flower essence blend for all emergencies. The most useful of all Flower remedies, Rescue Remedy is actually a combination of five other remedies that act synergistically to calm stress and fear. This is wonderful any time there is shock, stress or fear, has a stabilizing and calming effect in a variety of stress inducing situations. It is an invaluable addition to any first-aid kit and can be safely used before a vet's visit, shoeing, traveling, moving home. Will revive animals in shock. For example - accidents, frights, falls, terror, panic or injuries, emotional upsets. Can be sprayed in the stable or kennel to relieve tension and alleviate stress. May also be used externally on wounds, cuts and skin infections.

Some of these agents do help take the edge off.  But for sure you have to work to desensitize her to the clippers.  The only way to do that is to keep doing it.  Once you start do not ever stop or you have taught her to resist clipping.  If you stop she has learned that if she acts up you turn the clippers off.  The off season is the best time because you will be more relaxed and not in a hurry to get done.  For horses that are really bad i start with a small cordless clipper and just keep running it up and down the legs.  Once they are good with that I switch to the real clippers.  Also I have found that certain horses that fight horribly dont fight at all if i pick the leg up (like a farrier does) and clip like that.  Good luck!

I agree with Kay ecept for starting with the legs.  always start at the shoulder.  it may look funny but it is much safer.  have someone at her head but ignore her completely untill she calms down.  then get rid of the clippers and praise her like she just won the kentucky derby.  also, if you do try herbs, try plain Aspen also.  it works wonders

I just body clipped my horse TODAY for the first time ever, and she wasnt to thrilled. First we had someone hold her while we let the clippers run, and gave her treats (this was yesterday) and once she calmed down we pretended to clip her by running the hand with the clippers down her side in the saddle area. Its best to start on the left side once you do clip, because thats the side theyre most used to being worked from. We started in the saddle area because theyre most used to having something touch them in that area.

You do not even have to 'clip' the horse to start desensitizing.  We tie them at the hitching post and just turn the clippers on.  If they don't act too badly, we rub the clippers on their side across them without actually clipping.  If they dance, we take the clippers off but do not turn them off.  We rub it across the bridle path, down the neck, shoulders, close to the face, etc, until they can stand it.  Then we actually clip.  Even then, when they act up, we pull the clippers away.  We never turn them off until we are done.  It helps to have 2 ppl.  I have also found that some horses tolerate it better if someone holds them instead of being tied.  Repitition is the key, and eventually the figure out it is not a horse-eating monster.  lol

m mum was always good with horses. my pony Felix hated to be clipped. my mum coaxed into the clippers and finally he calmed.

but this year we are doing a differnt clip. so try sedating. it might work!

i clipped my horse for the first time a few weeks ago, i've neva clipped a horse b4....he wasn't thrilled!!!! i held him and didn't tie him, i gave him space to move and gave him brakes to take him for a walk so he doesn't feel trapped and want to explode!!! it has happened to someone i knew, her horse reared up and attacked her!!! i don't think it's just the noise it's the vibration of the clippers aswell!!! my horse loves getting is neck and chest done but he was kicking out near the flank and then he got sick of it and started turning his head to bite me holding the lead rope. practice it alot and if u clip often then do it every week, hay is good to keep their mind off it and an open space with a looooonnnnngggg extention cord!!! just chase him around and don't stop until u've done at least a section then take him away and walk him around and settle him!! it important that the horses know it'll end wen it's done!!! my horse only got his body and face up to the cheek strapes done, try quiet clippers for the face.

sedating doesn't always work, i watch a friends horse get done and he was ok until the face and he reared and hit the clippers and needed stitches, so we got the vet to sedate him and it didn't help much and we ended up leaving the face. if ur horse doesn't get fluffy like a plush teddy (like mine) and doesn't sweat alot, maybe cut ur losses if ur horse doesn't improve...betta for urs and ur horses stress levels, but i do like my horse clipped coz i event and he is dripping after cross country.

just try alot of things and be sturn!!! if ur nervous i can guarentee ur horse will be worse...even get a stronger calmer person to hold ur horse for u

i hope this helps u just remember to be safe about it and no one gets hurt. i agree with the advice to not stop because the horse is naughty as he'll learn bad habits.