Bathtime Blues?
It doesn't seem to matter how many times I explain to Her that I can bathe myself very adequately in our stream, I can't seem to get it across that we really don't need to be covered in that smelly, soapy stuff. When I pointed out that SHE has seen the great plumes of water I spash up from the stream when I am having a wash and brush up equine style, SHE said it was time for some straight talking!
You're just having a lark, SHE told me, you only get your legs and belly wet and gritty - and you don't even wash properly between your udders! And if you think that your version of a 'brush up', rollling around in the mud and the dirt, does anything for the way you look or smell, you are very much mistaken.
Although I must reluctantly admit that, while we will always differ in our opinions of what is a really nice smell, the reasons SHE uses in favour of bathing 'human style' are really quite right. I still make Her go through the same argument every time the subject of bathing comes up, before I give in gracefully (it ensures an adequate amount of treats throughout the whole process), but I will concede that HER way does have advantages ......
Bathing really does have lots of benefits !
• It can help to rid of any loose hair when you are changing your coat;
- With the aid of medical or herbal shampoos it can help eradicate any parasites or skin complaints;
- It provides a form a massage which stimulates the circulation, and
- It makes you feel and look good, which gives your human companions a lot of satisfaction.
- At times bathing is the only really efficient way of removing dulling grease and dust from your coat, so if you have any doubts about bathing , forget them and get your lad or lass to arm themselves with plenty of shampoo, water and share a bath!
As long as you bear in mind a few do's and don'ts, there is little to worry about when bathing:
Once you are dry you might like to ask your groom to apply a coat gloss, as this will repel dust and dirt. Spraying it onto the mane and tail will also help to keep it tangle free, which will save them labour and also ensures a nice thick tail as continual brushing can thin the hairs. However, if you are planning to have your mane or tail plaited, don't use gloss, as you will find it makes the hair very slippery and difficult to keep hold of.
Once you have had a chance to rest, it is a good idea to encourage your groom to give you a thorough grooming with a clean body brush, as this will help to restore the natural coat oils as quickly as possible.
STAIN REMOVAL
There are often times when you may not wish to have a full bath, but do want to remove a stubborn stain that cannot be brushed out. This is a particularly troublesome problem for grey horses, as these stains always look unsightly.
A Tip for grooms from HER -
To remove stable stains dampen the hair with luke-warm water. (This can be done in winter or summer). Then apply a little mild shampoo, or hypoallergenic soap, rubbing it well in with the fingertips or water brush until the stain is removed. Rinse thoroughly with a sponge and water and then dry completely with an old towel. Alternatively, there are now some good ‘waterless' shampoos on the market that simply have to be sprayed on, massaged in and brushed or rubbed off with a stable rubber.
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