| If you think about horse equipment that horses like the | | | | the sound of the clippers. Do this for several days until |
| least, horse clippers probably come to mind. However | | | | he starts looking for a treat the minute you turn on the |
| it is possible to slowly and patiently teach your horse | | | | clippers. |
| to accept them and stand quietly for a clipping. Here's | | | | The next step is to touch the clippers to your horse's |
| how. | | | | neck while they are turned on and have him stand |
| This method will require about a month of daily work | | | | quietly. The reward is a treat and turning the clippers |
| and possibly longer. So be prepared to be very patient! | | | | off. So, with your horse in cross ties, turn the clippers |
| This is not an overnight fix, but will last the horse's | | | | on and rest them against his neck. If he moves, try to |
| lifetime. | | | | keep the clippers there until he stands quietly. Then |
| On the first day, all you need to do is show your horse | | | | give him a treat and turn them off. Keep doing this until |
| the clippers and let him sniff them. The clippers are | | | | it's very easy to do, and he appears to have accepted |
| turned off, and as soon as your horse sniffs them, | | | | them on his neck totally. |
| shower him with praise and feed him a treat. That's it, | | | | The next step is to simply move them around on his |
| you are done for the day! The next day, do the same | | | | neck. Reward for standing quietly while you rub the |
| thing again and again the next. When your horse starts | | | | clippers all over his neck. When that is easy, you can |
| expecting a treat the minute he has sniffed the | | | | start moving the clippers to more sensitive areas like |
| clippers then you are ready to move on. Your horse | | | | the face and bridle path, using the same reward for |
| has made a connection in his brain between the | | | | good behavior: a treat and turning the clippers off. |
| clippers and treats. | | | | Eventually, with enough time, patience and experience, |
| With your horse in the cross ties, plug the clippers in, | | | | your horse will stand so quietly while you rub the |
| turn them on, and hold them away from your horse. If | | | | clippers anywhere you want that you'll know you can |
| he stands quietly without fear, give him a treat and turn | | | | begin actually clipping. Congratulations! You have |
| them off. The goal here is to desensitize your horse to | | | | trained your horse to accept the horse clippers. |