Re: HELP First Bath

[Bette Lamore <woa@stormnet.com>]

Hi Kathy
Afraid my halter showing days are looong past. Didn't say my horses got
bathed very often these days<BG>. Afraid I'm going to have to attack
their manes with machete knives if I don't do something soon. Hated
using baby oil--- hard to get out once detangled. The vet suggested
Downy, but I've had really good luck with Show Sheen.  Of course,
Downy's cheaper......
Bette

Kathy Mayeda wrote:
> 
> 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
> 
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
> Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
> Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

-- 
Bette Lamore
Whispering Oaks Arabians, Home of 16.2hh TLA Halynov
(yes, REALLY!)
http://www.arabiansporthorse.com