In none of the following pictures do you get a real idea of the potential for things to go wrong. Both Stewie (top) and Tia (bottom) had the potential to be dangerous if things weren't handled carefully. Stewie, normally a generous and amenable pony, has an aversion to being clipped and rears, strikes out, and kicks out at the clippers and the person holding them. Tia is a young and lively Warmblood, currently on box rest following a serious injury to her shoulder. Effectively 'plugged in to the mains' every day, little wonder that she has an excess of acrobatic energy every time she is walked out. In both cases we much preferred each horse to keep their feet on the floor!
Stewie showed us just how tuned in to the noise from clippers - here I am actually using a massager which emits a very low but similar noise. His owner, Kate, has used clicker training with him before so I thought I would connect the sound of the massager being turned on with the reward of a click and a treat.
It didn't take Figgy the dog long to realise that there might be food available.
You may just about be able to see the slight pull down of Stewie's lower eyelid - a sign that he might be prepared to confront the thing worrying him.
However, with a predictable pattern of clicking and rewarding, he began to accept the massager on his neck, at first switched off and soon switched on.
It's important to be careful going over more bony areas such as the shoulder but soon I had negotiated my way along to his back...
...and then his bottom.
The next step was to develop a way that we could change the sensation of the clippers when we eventually use them. This requires two people, one rubbing the neck with a deep flat touch just in front of the clippers (massager at this stage)
To finish, and on both sides, I began to make clipping motions along his coat in the opposite direction to the lay of the hair. This seemed to be a good note on which to end. Not one rear, strike out or kick.
All credit for this calm little scene to Imy, who at 15 has so much horse sense. On her left hand side there are two lively mares and their foals, and on the left an Arabian stallion. Occasionally Tia does explode with energy but she keeps her feet well away from Imy who uses clear body language to make sure that she does so. However, most of the time she contains herself as best as she can, and is definitely 'with' Imy. Imy introduced clicker training herself in order to keep Tia's attention and it is working really well. I couldn't improve upon this and could only reassure Imy that she is doing a thoroughly great job. I cannot complain about the use of a bridle for leading and schooling in this situation - if needs must, they must - but as soon as Imy felt she was safe enough she has the option of switching to a Dually.
