Need tips for clipping ears

[elizabeth_h]

I decided to get myself a small cordless clipper so I could do trims and touch ups myself. I got something big enough to handle leg hair and bridle paths. So I set out today to do my very first trim (I have been educated in the basics of clipping and I did part of his winter body clip myself last year). I washed and dried his legs and then I clipped them and they came out great! ;D I got the bridle path done too without too much of a battle since it is just an inch or so. But Jim is not thrilled with having the clippers tickling his ears and I was not able to clip them other than a quick swipe to get the tuft that sticks out at the base of the ear. If he tosses his head around he can injure me and get his ear cut very easily.

Does anyone have tips for clipping ears in this situation? I found a twitch at the barn but the clip was broken so I could not secure it. I think I will need a helper, but it would be nice to be able to do it myself at some point.

[fancyhorse]

Twitch him. Eventhough, I am not a fan of ear grabbing, I do do it just for clipping the ears. I grab it tight and pull the base down. It works and since I only clip the ears for shows (which is like hardly ever), they have never started getting weird with me about their ears, they forgave and forgot!

[BoyleHeightsKid]

Boy used to be a handful when clipping his ears. He's still not thrilled about it, but all I had to do was fight with him for a little while. Then he finally gave up, tilted his head towards me and said "Just get it over with!"

Ear plugs might help... some don't like the tickling and some don't like the sound.

[filly]

I second the ear grabbing. I tried for awhile to do it with clippers the nice way....as in almost 2 years and she basically gave me the finger. Then, a month ago, I got frustrated and grabbed hold and low and behold she stood like an angel. I didn't even have to grab too hard either, thankfully.

Also second those big cotton balls. I CAN cut her ears with scissors but it's hard in the summer with all the flies and gnats around, and you have to go slowly but she doesn't give a flip about them. Try scissors? Maybe medical bandage scissors that don't have a point on them?

[TeachU2Ride]

I like a rope twitch for ear clipping. Grabbing and twisting an ear is really painful (which is why it works) and can leave a horse very head-shy.

For those who fight even with a twitch, I'll sedate with Dormosedan.