Clipping by Suzanne Marshall, 1999

Clipping

by Suzanne Marshall, 1999

Suzanne Marshall documents her work with Lucy, a 14-year-old Warmblood mare who was fearful and nervous of clipping. The project explores how trust, systematic desensitisation, appropriate pressure and well-timed rewards helped Lucy progress from objecting strongly to clippers to calmly accepting a partial clip.

Project abstract

This Horse Psychology Project follows the rehabilitation of Lucy, a 14-year-old Warmblood mare with a longstanding fear of clipping. Suzanne believed that Lucy’s previous experiences had taught her to associate clippers with pressure, restraint and distress. The project therefore aimed to make the process easier for Lucy and allow her to develop greater trust and confidence.

Suzanne began by using Join-Up to strengthen their existing relationship. She then introduced the clippers gradually, initially allowing Lucy to investigate them before progressing through a structured programme of desensitisation. The work was divided into manageable stages, with the clippers introduced around different areas of Lucy’s body and eventually switched on. Suzanne monitored Lucy’s reactions carefully, using approach and retreat, releasing pressure and rewarding responses that represented progress towards the goal.

The sessions showed that Lucy was capable of accepting clipping when the process was broken down and adjusted according to her behaviour. Suzanne ultimately completed a partial clip, including areas that Lucy had previously found particularly difficult.

The project concludes that Lucy’s earlier experiences had played an important part in her fear. Patience, trust, shaping and appropriate use of pressure enabled her to participate more calmly and confidently.