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Big Mover
Gold Member
 United Kingdom
999 Posts |
 Posted - 17 Sep 2006 : 6:14:40 PM
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Hi Everyone
I have a gorgeous yearling gelding who's had rather a late start on grooming/bathing/clipping etc. Anyway the grooming side of things are coming along fine, been kicked once (not impressed) but tried another approach and everything seems to be coming together. I have a show planned for the 1st Oct and the thought of bathing/clipping him is turning my stomach EEK! Has anyone got any suggestions to help me help my youngster through this first time bathing/clipping?
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Adara_Arabians
Gold Member
England
736 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2006 : 6:16:32 PM
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| You could always attempt to sponge bath him rather than using a running hooze. Maybe try and use a haynet to tempt him to stand still |
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Roseanne
Moderator
United Kingdom
6708 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2006 : 6:30:24 PM
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I use buckets of warm water rather than a cold hose, and water brush, apart from the head which has to be sponged carefully. They quite like the massage, though you need to make sure they don't get cold and miserable. I start with tail, then face which I then rinse and dry with towels, then the four legs so the body is last and the horse doesn't get too shivery.
When you've rinsed, also with warm if it's a chilly day, you can scrape off, dry with old towels and then put on wicking rugs or sweat rug. It's good to let them have a nice haynet or feed so they are keeping busy and active eating. Then you can let them dry off by leading them to some nice grass.
Making the experience tolerable is preferable in the early days to having a pristine horse! And you can titivate on the morning of the show to get off any stubborn marks or stains. If it has white socks you can use chalk to enhance the cleanliness. As it gets used to being washed you can do a more thorough job.
Good luck! |
Roseanne |
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bam-bam
Bronze Member
England
83 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2006 : 8:07:24 PM
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I've tried to keep my own attitude positive - "she will like having a bath" and "this will go well" type of thing with my youngster. I figure if I am confident so will she be. Though I still listen to what she's comfortable with and take things slow/stop on a good note if things are not going so well. I agree use warm water. I started with legs as my yearlings mum is fine to have her body washed if her legs are already wet but hates drips on dry legs!. The loin area seems to tickle the most - must be like our bellies walking into the sea.
And don't worry about being perfectly clean. Better to have a good experience.
Good luck
Sue |
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Big Mover
Gold Member
United Kingdom
999 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2006 : 8:39:18 PM
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 Hello everyone
Thank you so much for words of wisdom, my whole intention of this first show we are going to on the 1st October, is to get some experience. If we get there and back in one piece, I will be really pleased, if by any chance we come home with a ribbon it would be a lovely bonus. I have taken things very slowly with my lad, he is literally scared of his own shadow bless.I dont want to loose the trust we have built so far. |
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Nuttybabez
Gold Member
England
522 Posts |
Posted - 18 Sep 2006 : 11:09:03 PM
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Bath him on a day you are not in a rush and expect him to make a little fuss. Maybe just wet him and not use soap the first time?
The weather is not really on your side for starting bathing games now but my yearling was bathed 4 times this summer and got better every time but still intensely dislikes it.
Regular little ray of sunshine aren't I? lol |
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kofihorse
Bronze Member
241 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2006 : 08:34:02 AM
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Interesting....hmmmm.....I happen to have a 21 month old mini Shetland, who is Khan's companion, and he has obviously rolled in cat/dog/fox poo sometime recently. I have done my best with baby wipes but he is still one stinky little pony and a little  who has never been bathed before so I think I will be needing full body armour and a lassoo to do it.  He likes being groomed so that's a start but I am not looking forward to it. Thanks for the tips! |
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Big Mover
Gold Member
United Kingdom
999 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2006 : 11:37:44 AM
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Hi Rosemary
I have a feeling that body armour could be required at my stables before I have finished EEK! I have found that my lad settles much better when someone is stood with him rather then just been tied up, then a polo mint or carrot at intervals for been a good lad.
Thanks everyone for all your help & advice
suggestions always welcome |
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Bonnie
Bronze Member
England
179 Posts |
Posted - 05 Oct 2006 : 8:35:39 PM
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Hi Big Mover .Ihave a 2 yr old Arab gelding and i live at Buggy .How did the show go?If you need any help with him get in touch.
bonnie |
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Big Mover
Gold Member
United Kingdom
999 Posts |
Posted - 05 Oct 2006 : 9:45:31 PM
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Hi Bonnie
You only live a few mins away from me, what a small world. We had a lovely day at the show. The horsebox picked us up at 7.45am and Gazette was no trouble to load up (he has only travelled once before so I didnt no how he would react). We had a white van man en route to the show try and run us off the road!! Poor Gazette ended up down in the back of the horsebox but thank fully he was ok and took it all in his stride. We ended up coming 5th in his class and he boxed up great again. Very very pleased that we got there and back in one piece and had a good experience. The biggest problem was that he looked very tall and gangly compaired to all the others in his class. He was also a late foal so most of the others have a good few months on him.
Sarah |
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Bonnie
Bronze Member
England
179 Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2006 : 3:43:54 PM
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hi Big Mover glad everything went well.Ches is 2 yrs5mths and is 15.1hh.He was shown alot before i got him .I may try showing him next yr (or daughter can do running!) Katie Gore bred Ches and she says she'll show and help if we like.
bonnie |
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Big Mover
Gold Member
United Kingdom
999 Posts |
Posted - 07 Oct 2006 : 5:40:06 PM
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He sounds lovely, I have seen Katie Gore at a few shows we got to this year, she is very good / professional. Are you going to North West Regoinal Group Show at Wigan 2mora? We are going try and get up to watch some classes, but also got a 50th Birthday Party tonight so I might gave a bad head in the morning. |
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