Things You'll Need
- Clippers
- Halter and lead
Instructions
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.
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.
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.
Approach the horse with the clippers turned on. Rub the horse all over with your free hand.
Rub the horse with the clippers turned on once he seems comfortable with their presence, but do not clip him.
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.