Haflinger cross Fjord pony, Custard, came to his own through Mysafecobs and since his arrival he has given his owner hours of pleasure in the saddle and restored her confidence when riding. In return he has got a lovely home for life. Recently he has been diagnosed with Cushings disease and as a result of excessive hair growth and retention needs to be clipped on a regular basis. However he could not tolerate the clippers and I was warned that he rears and boxes with his front feet when approached with the clippers. When he was clipped before Christmas he had to be sedated intravenously since oral sedation made no difference to his behaviour. I was asked to see if I could persuade him to be clipped by consent.
I wanted to analyse which aspect of clipping he really objected to. Was it the vibration or the noise? Custard accepted my massager all over his body.
I also wanted to introduce him to clickered rewards so that there could be some payment for his co-operation.
He was fine with the clippers themselves even when they were switched on...
...and he would even accept them touching his body although he wasn't entirely sure (note lifted back leg).
But, if the clippers began to move as if to clip him he would issue a warning which started with a tossing head...
...he would threaten to rear and then start to take his feet of the floor...
...gradually getting higher. So what was it EXACTLY about the movement of the clippers that he couldn't stand?
Further experimentation revealed that he absolutely hates his hair being moved in the wrong direction. I suspect that in the past the clippers have snagged on his hair but in any event he is just very ticklish. Luckily he is also quite an itchy pony and loves being rubbed with a deep flat touch. So that was our answer...
while I rubbed him with a deep flat touch, Sarah was able to get on with clipping him, something we didn't think we would be able to do today or in one go.
I could stop rubbing occasionally and give him a click and a treat.
Fortunately he was the same on both sides...
Not quite instant Custard, but almost! Now that we have the key to this pony his owner will be able to avoid rubbing him up the wrong way! With his medical condition he will need to be clipped all year round so with well oiled, well serviced clippers, and this technique he should be fine.
"Thank you so much for your work and understanding with Custard yesterday. I only anticipated switching on the clippers, never actually clipping him! His reaction to clippers and needles has been so violent up to now, it was absolutely miraculous to witness him thinking about what you were suggesting, instead of shutting down all communication and going to defence mode. I know it is still early days with lots of on going work to do, but what a huge step forward. I am SO proud of Custard and so grateful to you for your help." SV
