[wyldterv]

OK Dawn, just YELL at me NOW because NO I did NOT take any photos, I was busy, ROTFLMAO...

Poncho has a HUGE event this weekend... We're attending the Steve Rother NH Clinic Sat and Sun. This will be the first time we've worked in a really big group setting. The first 3 hours (9am-Noon) are dedicated to ground work, then an hour lunch break then the next 3 hrs (1pm-4pm) are saddle work.

Poncho has never had a full bath before. I did into the idea of water touching him from a hose earlier this past summer, and it went decently, but he's never been soaked down, foamed up and then rinsed. Well because we're going to be around so many people who will think I'm a BAD owner because I have a filthy horse because they don't know what a big huge deal it's been to be abel to brush him ANYWHERE, LOL, I broke down, sucked it up, and spent an hour bathing him this after noon!!!

All things considered I think it went fantastic. I did it in the round pen and I let him just drag the lead rope on the ground and move about as much as he needed to in order to feel calmer. At first he was a bit balistic, and was snorting and charging all about the round pen, but after about 10 mins he calmed down and stood for the hose.

I bought a type of enzymatic shampoo you just hose on and rinse off from the hose, which worked really well for Poncho's situation, because I did not have to be too close into him and was able to stay safe out of kicking range (although he only kicked 2 times!!!). After I soaked him, I switched it to soap mode and foamed him up, then took a stiff brush and worked it in to as much of his body as I can safely brush, then stood back and rinsed with water for about 10 mins. At the end he was even willingly turning his face into the spray!!!!!

Then, in order to get him drying since I can not yet put a cooler or blanket on him, I spent an hour hand walking him out in the big field letting him graze. All in all he handled the whole thing quite well!

For those of you who are worried it was too cold (only about 52 here today) he did not even shiver and I made sure to keep him walking and there was no breeze. Then I locked him in his stall which is nice and toasty warm to finish drying fully.

SO, while not SQUEEKY clean, Poncho is missing a considerable amount of "mustang dirt" tonight!!!!

[kddoublink]

Woohoo! I gave my mare Isabella a bath today too. It was nearly 58 outside in the sun!! Thats like a heat wave for us (and the last bath for the year) I take about 2 hours to give a good bath. It takes a long time! lol.

[Bella]

Congrat's, that sounds great! I'll bet he looks so nice!

I hope you guys have lots of fun at the clinic, it sounds like a lot of fun, and it should be good for the both of you.

-Bella

[Dawn]

I can't believe it! And let me guess, you did it by yourself.

Reno did not take her first hosing experience anywhere near that well, but I didn't have a set up where I could leave her loose either. I think that was an excellent idea. The first few months of Reno hosing, I had to hold her with one hand and the hose with the other. Keep the lead, hose, horse, and myself from becoming tangled. Which worked fine, except that, for some reason, this worked to get me wet and not her.

[AutumnAttic]

hope you and your clean horse have fun

[HorseCraze120]

Congrats! I bet hes gonna be such a pretty boy!! Next time take pictures!! LOL!! Your doing wodnerfully with him

[wyldterv]

Originally Posted by Dawn

I can't believe it! And let me guess, you did it by yourself.

Reno did not take her first hosing experience anywhere near that well, but I didn't have a set up where I could leave her loose either. I think that was an excellent idea. The first few months of Reno hosing, I had to hold her with one hand and the hose with the other. Keep the lead, hose, horse, and myself from becoming tangled. Which worked fine, except that, for some reason, this worked to get me wet and not her.

I'm a few days behind on my posts, after a BUSY weekend at the clinic with Poncho...(I'll post on that in GENERAL in a bit) BUT yes Dawn, I did the bath all by myself!!!!! He's certainly not ready to just stand quiet and still, but I can safely get it done now, whoohooy!

Having the round pen to turn him loose in while I was doing this and using the spray on foaming wash, was a GREAT help I might add... I could stay safe in the middle during the wetting, hosing, soaping then turn the hose to 'off' and 'brush him' which he's aclimated to, to work the soap into his coat deeper, the back to RINSE mode.

ALSO I wore my rain gear so I did not end up too soaked, LOLOL.

[MissBandit]

haha! You wore your rain gear? LOL I would have paid money for those pics.

[QHGirl]

That is a good idea, rain gear, why didn't I think of it. HANDS OFF, I am in the process of patenting "bath gear" for those with horses. That would sell like hotcakes. A holster for grooming tools, etc. I love it.

As far as the bath, that is SO GREAT, that will just take time for him and for him to accept that, that soon, great! PLUS you spending time with him helps alot. You being alpha female does help to. You told him where he can eat and allowed him.... just respects you more in the long run.

Can't wait to see the updates in general... of to look!

[Emzalss@2580]

LOl, it's so funni wehn we tried to bath one of our ponies, i nearly got dragged up the road.