Need some training advice - Paw Talk

Holly · #1 04-22-2002, 12:06 PM

Anyone got any tips on how to get your horse to bathe without being a nutcase? My horses just don't like bathing, they side step, rush forward, and everything else. I take it nice and slow, starting with there legs, going up, so I don't shock there body. They still go insane. I think with time they woud eventually get used to it, but they are so miserable to give baths to, baths come few and far between (espically now since I just had ankle surgery so now I have a cast on my leg and I cant get it wet.) It took them about 6 months to get used to my farrier, but when he was here Saturday they stood still, didn't hop or nothing. So anyway, any tips from you horsey people on what I can do until they get used to it to make it easier on all of us?

**Scarlette** · #2 04-22-2002, 10:50 PM

LOL, I just posted on another thread about starting with the legs and working your way up.

Are you using cold water from the hose? I usually run the hose through the house and hook it to the kitchen sink. It's a real pain but the horses don't seem so jumpy about it.

As with any new experience, they will eventually get used to it if you take it slow and don't punish them for being afraid.

#3 04-23-2002, 04:37 PM

If its cold water....I wouldn't blame them....wouldn't want that on me on any but 100degree days either.

I put my asnos in cross ties...and wash them down with a hose....its not cold...about fish tank temp(75*F)LOL! They love it! Never had one that didn't want a good bath. Even the big bad Terminator loves a bath...cross ties keep them from moving around to much if thats the problem.

Holly · #4 04-23-2002, 05:41 PM

well it is from the hose, but i would hardly call that water cold. espically when you first turn it on it is boiling!!! i have to let it run to cool. i live in florida, the pipes heat in this heat. it is april and we are up to 90s here. so i dont think its the coldness, because they like it when i will spray them when they are just standing around, and they go in the pond... how it is with my two is they dont like being patient. lol. they are annoying sometimes. i dont know how good they are gonna be when i bathe them in another week. as soon as i get this cast off..... arrghhh i hate this stupid thing. what about wash racks? ive seen those used with much sucess, because it keeps the horse from stepping sideways....

Holly · #5 04-23-2002, 05:42 PM

oh and they like rain. they stand out in the rain in the winter when it really is cold!!