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RE: HELP First Bath



Keep in mind that Bette has halter show horses!!!!!  This is the
way I was taught to bathe my halter bred horses, but now that
I'm doing endurance, Beau just gets a spray with a hose after a ride.
Occasionally I will do a Quicksilver shampoo on the mane and tail
to keep my grey from looking too ratty.  He doesn't have the
luxury of the hot and cold water wash rack anymore, either, and
he is okay with cold hose - just start spraying the legs first and
then work yourself up to the more muscled areas.  

I love Cowboy Magic or Rio Vista Main and Tail Detanglers.  Sometimes
I even use Show Sheen!

Great suggestions for first bath, Bette!

K.


-----Original Message-----
From: Bette Lamore [mailto:woa@stormnet.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 03, 2000 4:43 PM
To: Jerri Larsen
Cc: ridecamp@endurance.net
Subject: RC: HELP First Bath


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


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