But with all the rain we've been getting, I've been tucking her into the barn at night, where she usually ends up lying down. Her sides were getting caked with mud and horse poo and her hocks stained with urine. She also had a couple dreadlocks in her mane and tail. So, off to the bath my Baby Doll went.
I had never given a horse a bath before, so this was my first time. And it didn't feel much different than washing a car.
First I rinsed her down with plain water and the hose. I started off using the mist setting, not sure how Baby Doll would do. But within a few minutes I had the water set to the stronger Shower setting. And Baby Doll looked as if she was ready for a nap. She didn't even mind water sprayed onto her face all that much either.
Then I lathered up my girl with some baby shampoo and water with a sponge. Also scrubbing her mud-caked hoofs. Then followed up with a final spray down with water from the hose. After I washed out her mane and tail and rinsed them out, I soaked them with some Cowboy Magic Detangler, and went to work on the dreadlocks. Afterwards, her mane and tail felt so silky and soft. I did a bit of touch up on some white spots on her mane and tail using a hydrogen peroxide and water mix, just to brighten them. Then I sprayed her down all over with some more Cowboy Magic. She felt so clean and soft, it was impossible for me to keep my hands from stroking her silky coat. At the moment I could not think of anything more wonderful than a clean pretty horse.
So, I decided to spend some more time with my horse and take Baby Doll into the round pen for a little exercise.
I just love watching her move. Afterwards, I climbed up on Baby Doll bareback using her halter with her lead rope turned into a make-shift reins. Then I just rode her around the sideyard while my painted gal munched grass.
Another great day on Laughing Orca Ranch.
19 comments :
She looks beautiful after her bath. You're lucky the minute ours get done with bathing they usually find the dirtiest spot to roll. Hope she stays clean for a while she's such a beauty.
My horse, Luke, used to go to sleep while getting a bath. Back foot up and lower lip wagging.
She's a beautiful girl! I'm glad it went so well for you and her both.
Cowboy Magic is a God Send! I love that stuff. And I too love a good clean horse. It's so nice when you can hop on for a nice bareback ride. Sounded like a wonderful day.
baby doll is gorgeous!! i can imagine how nice a soft she must have felt after the bath, i would be tempted to curl up next to her in the barn at night myself!
by the way, the music is cracking me up....
That sounds so nice! Baby Doll sure is a pretty girl. I'm envious of the nice mane and tail that she has. My poor appy doesn't have much of either to wash and comb! lol
It's great that you two work so well together!
Sounds like a great day! Personally, I do not enjoy bathing horses. My horse does not enjoy being bathed. We pass on the bath thing by mutual agreement. Yup! He's white! We celebrate 15 years of filth together this September.
She sounds like she is easier to bathe than my kidlets...lol!!!
She really is a beautiful mare. I am glad that you are having so much fun with her. That is what owning a horse is all about :)
What a fun day! Baby Doll is a fantastic horse that you can just jump on and ride - no worries. And she does have a lot of chrome - but above and beyond that, she is a cutie. Isnt it refreshing to have that kind of laid-back day with your horse?
I didn't think it was possible for Baby Doll to be even more beautiful than before, she is striking!
Cleanliness is next to... well, it's usually next to a big pile of poo, which the horse immediately rolls in! I've been hosing my horses off after riding them if they are sweaty and if it is plenty hot outside, and I always end up reaching for the shampoo despite only having the intention to rinse them. Two hours later, it's all worth it.
Your mare looks soooo clean. I have a greyish colored appy that always looks the color of poop. The worst part is that he hates baths as well and it's always a pain to get and keep him clean. I attend many shows a year so you'd think that he would just get used to it, but he always has to add his 2 cents worth.
WOW, she does look really, really clean! What a pretty girl! Daisy doesn't mind being hosed, as long as I start off slow on her legs and move up, and don't spray her head (that ticks her off, lol)...
Looks like one wonderful day, for you AND Baby Doll. :)
She is beautiful.
Hi Grey Horse,
Oh no. I'm not lucky in that way. Maybe clever. I just keep her tied until she is completely dry...and then she seems to lose that urge to roll when she is finally untied. haha!
Hi CeeCee,
Thanks :)
And I love when that lower lip goes waggin, hehe. You have a perfect visual of it, too.
Hi Andrea,
Thank you. And yes, that's one of the best things about a clean horse....how it beckons for nice bareback ride :)
Hi Seagrass, You are so sweet! Thank you. She was so soft and touchable.
Were you talking about that crazy chicken song? I'm glad the music made you laugh. I turned it off for a little while because of the videos I have posted. I'll get them back up soon, just for you :D hehe
Hi Laura,
Awwww, thank you. I've read and seen from others that say that Appys usually have trouble growing manes and tails. I wonder why that is. Do you know?
I hope you'll post more about Rusty soon. I miss seeing him. :)
Hi Cara,
You crack me up! hehehe
Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Melanie,
Yes, I am truly enjoying her. I hope we can gecome as good together in the saddle as we are on the ground one day soon, though.
She is much easier than my kids were to wash when they were little, too. My twin boys didn't even like me washing their faces. They would scream like I was kiling them, haha!
Hi Saddle Mountain Rider,
Thanks for all the nice comments. Yes, Baby Doll is a great horse and she is easy to ride around our property, but she has gotten a little bit barn sour and is testing me out on the trails, so we have some issues to work on soon. I'm glad that we have such a great relationship on the ground and hope it carries into the saddle soon, too.
Sugarcreekstuff,
Awww, you are so darn sweet, my friend! :)
I hear ya, Nuzzling Muzzles. If it were hotter here I'd probably give her more baths, just because the end result is so worth it. But it's been cold and rainy most of August. Weird, eh?
Hi Sidetracked,
Poop? nah! I think grey horses are so pretty! And they seem to hide dirt much better than my horse with all the 'chrome'. Her legs get so dirty quickly.
So, even exposing him to lots of baths hasn't made him more tolerant, eh? I guess it really does depend on personality, right?
Hi Mel,
Thanks for stopping by. You and Daisy have such a special relationship. You dote on her and she seems to enjoy it :)
Egghead,
Aww...thanks :)
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