Ridecamp: Re: [RC] grooming and the coming cold weather - what's the best way to wash

I never bathe during the winter, nor do I groom to get the coat super clean.  
I only bathe when it's going to be at lest 60 degrees for at least on hour or 
two after.  Once a few years ago, my mare abscessed in December.  I had to 
soak her foot every day for 20-30 minutes, so I spent the time grooming her.  
By the third day she was squeaky clean.  Then it snowed, and I had groomed 
(NOT washed) most of the oils out of her coat.  The snow penetrated into the 
hair coat and she got COLD.  I had to blanket her for a few days until the 
snow stopped.  Since that time, I have groomed only to the point where she 
has no stiff, sweaty spots and no chunks.  In other words, til all her hair 
laid where it was supposed to.  It seems like they stay warmer when the 
natural oils are left in the coat, and they can fluff the hair up if they 
need to.  I figure that she can be green in spots all winter long if 
necessary.   jeri

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
 Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
 Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
 Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

 If you are an AERC member - PLEASE VOTE in the Director at Large 
 and By Laws Elections.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=