Re: RC: HELP First Bath

[Bette Lamore <woa@stormnet.com>]

Hi Jerri
Wear a bathing suit and shoes that will withstand being stepped on.
Horses prefer warm bath water; you can do cold but do not expect as much
cooperation unless it is a hot day.<BG> AND PLAN ON IT TAKING THE WHOLE
DAY IF NECESSARY. Don't ever start what you can't finish.
Start by doing their legs; get them used to the idea before working your
way up. I use a little Orvus in a bucket of water and sponge it on.
After washing them, I'll put a little vinegar in a bucket of water for
final rinse (obviously not on their face where it can get into their
eyes). If for some reason they try to kick with the sponging, I would
not get into a power struggle the first bath; perhaps just getting them
used to the running water all over their body would be a major coup. Of
course, you have to yell and scream at them for the attempted kick and
then maneuver around so that you can do a partial or "token" sponge (so
that it is your "win" first before moving on). A lot depends on how much
handling they have had prior to bath. 
Faces are separate and require finesse. I bend over the hose so it is
trickling water and then am patient but tenacious until they let me
dribble it on their face. I again sponge on shampoo---this time Johnsons
No More Tears baby shampoo for obvious reasons--- and then dribble rinse
water on for a finish, occasionally using sponge to get rid of all the
soap. If they are adamant about not letting me do their face my way, I
at least win a minor battle by dribbling it over the bottom of their
head (usually acceptable) and then I point my hose up in the air and it
rains from the heavens (that is usually when I run out of patience, am
sopping wet, don't feel like using my ex-milking fingers for a lip hold
(I believe I could kill someone with my fingers-- you have no idea the
strength you build up milking a cow until you've done it--- and it
looked so effortless!). BTW I am really careful about using ANY force---
not ever when a baby or a horse is afraid--- just when they are being
buttheads and you can usually tell the difference in their eyes. I avoid
twitches. Use my hands because then I can relax as soon as they realize
I am serious and give-in. Be careful starting what you can't finish. If
you can't hang on to them--- don't try. Many steps backwards if you try
to use force and fail.
I had one colt who had been spoiled rotten--- gotten away with
everything. I put a leader on him both sides (like bungie crossties) and
proceeded with bath. He backed and backed until he was literally sitting
down pulling on those bungies.( I was grateful it was a bungie and not
my arms) and I squirted him with water until he realized he could have a
bath the hard way, or the easy way. He finally took a few steps forward
which instantly rewarded him (great thing about Leader lines) and was
far more cooperative with bath. Never got mad at him--- just endured to
the end. That is the secret IMHO .
And then Cowboy Magic or Tail and Mane (if I haven't used it all up for
my own hair) AND then lots of carrots if everyone was reasonably good
and I'm still standing.
Good luck
Bette

Jerri Larsen wrote:
> 
> Hi
> My colt chewed, and slobbered what looks like sugar syrup all over my
> Paso's neck and mane... It is one heck of a mess.... I have never done a
> bath... are there any 1,2,3 steps on what and how to do it???
> 
> thanks
> Jerri
> 
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-- 
Bette Lamore
Whispering Oaks Arabians, Home of 16.2hh TLA Halynov
(yes, REALLY!)
http://www.arabiansporthorse.com