Help Clipping a Yearling Pleeeease :)

[SamWerner]

[QUOTE=Home Again Farm;5972264]
My point was that if the in hand show is dressage rather than hunter breeding, there is no benefit to clipping the inside of the ear. Just cup the ear and clip or even scissor the hair that sticks out. Here in FL we have bugs, especially gnats, year round. Your guy will be so much happier to have some protection. But, to each their own. Good luck![/QUOTE]

It’s just a schooling show, and then the ones in February are at WEF. I am going to try scissors!

[QUOTE=TrotTrotPumpkn;5972537]My opinion is to just trim the tufts with a scissor, I’m with HAF. My filly was trimmed this way and beat horses with their ears completely shaved out. The judge really didn’t care about the inner-ears, and she looked very good with this amount of ear trimming anyway, imo.

I am going to try some of the desensitizing suggestions on this thread over the winter however!

I would have no problem using Dormosedan and a twitch to get the job done quickly and safely, however, if it “had” to happen. I would want a helper too, depending on how bad the horse is. I did see a horse that absolutely objected to having it’s rear legs shaved overcome Dormosedan and a twitch to strike it’s owner, so you should still be careful. Make sure you do any drug-application (if you go that route) soon enough if it is a USEF event![/QUOTE]

Yes he is not a fan of having his lower legs clipped either, but I am lucky enough that he has a pretty nice slick coat, so I would really just need to do ears, muzzle and bridle path. Thanks for the advice!

[QUOTE=lucyeq;5972573]I would clip all the way, even if it is a schooling show.

Try the twitch, like others have said, but if that doesn’t work, you can do a passable job with scissors. My mare is the worst about having her ears clipped. I mean horrible. I eventually gave in and did it with little, good-quality scissors and it looks good after you get used to it! I also have to use razors on her muzzles instead of the clippers.[/QUOTE]

Scissors it is!

[SueL]

[QUOTE=SamWerner;5973202]
It’s just a schooling show, and then the ones in February are at WEF. I am going to try scissors!

Yes he is not a fan of having his lower legs clipped either, but I am lucky enough that he has a pretty nice slick coat, so I would really just need to do ears, muzzle and bridle path. Thanks for the advice!

Scissors it is! :D[/QUOTE]

So am I right to assume this is hunter breeding? Hunter breeding has a different set of standards than DSHB. Clipping tufts with scissors will not (IMO) give you the look for hunter breeding.

I would start training to clippers using the technique outlined in this thread. I also use treats - small bits of carrots or cookies to reward wanted behavior. Most of mine clip on a dropped shank. Use cool, sharp blades so you are not chewing the hair off; never, ever pull on the ear and take care around sensitive areas.

Horses tend to be cooperative and trainable. Ear clipping can take more work but IME they will get it for the most part.

Sue

[SamWerner]

[QUOTE=SueL;5973268]
So am I right to assume this is hunter breeding? Hunter breeding has a different set of standards than DSHB. Clipping tufts with scissors will not (IMO) give you the look for hunter breeding.

I would start training to clippers using the technique outlined in this thread. I also use treats - small bits of carrots or cookies to reward wanted behavior. Most of mine clip on a dropped shank. Use cool, sharp blades so you are not chewing the hair off; never, ever pull on the ear and take care around sensitive areas.

Horses tend to be cooperative and trainable. Ear clipping can take more work but IME they will get it for the most part.

Sue[/QUOTE]

He is dressage bred, and the February shows are the Young Sporthorse Show Series held by Spy Coast. So they are actually Sport Horse in Hand classes, I am not sure if they will be split hunter bred and dressage bred…

[sketcher]

[QUOTE=SamWerner;5970167]
attempt to twitch? [/QUOTE]

If you mean ‘attempt’ as in you are not sure you can get it done, then have someone who you know will be able to use the twitch. It sounds like me might be getting your number, nip that in the bud!

[SamWerner]

[QUOTE=sketcher;5973862]
If you mean ‘attempt’ as in you are not sure you can get it done, then have someone who you know will be able to use the twitch. It sounds like me might be getting your number, nip that in the bud![/QUOTE]

LOL yes attempt as in I have never twitched him before! Never had the need too, so I am not sure how he will react.

I will get someone who is more experienced in teaching babies to twitch for the first time to help me