Tag Archives: Grooming

Greasy Forelocks and Manes

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When I was in the field this morning, I noticed that the old horses and ponies had greasy clumpy forelocks and thought to myself I must do something about this.  I’ll do it later – Mañana.

Later arrived and, after I had made my statutory hand-felted sheep, I was in desparate need for some fresh air so I went outside armed with my small bucket of grooming tools.  I knew I would probably be in for a long walk to find everyone but, as luck would have it, the horses and ponies had all come down to the paddock for water, or use of the little shed.

So I grabbed my chance.  Some took no time at all to brush out like ↓↓ Haakon ↓↓. I finished him in seconds.

Bibble (aka Iacs) needed a lot more attention.  His mane was forming clumps from old finer winter hair that had matted in and was turning into knots. I diligently brushed them all out and he was instantly transformed into a handsome beast.

Kolka was another who didn’t take long.

Mostly because she left and I hadn’t bothered to bring a headcollar so couldn’t catch her.

 

Still, I got them all done in that field.

Including Fivla and Vitamin who then took to their shed.  I might have a go at the other Shetland ponies.  They have the equine dentist (first check up ever) on Thursday so that might be a good time to do a spot of grooming as well.

Interesting Experiment

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There is always someone around offering to “help”.  Today I was vacuuming my shed out and I suddenly thought “I wonder if I could vacuum off the horses’ winter coats. It would be so useful” and something I’ve never tried before.

And a little known fact, Iacs and Kolka do not want to be vacuumed.  They both rushed off saying the noise was too much.  Haakon, on the other hoof, stood stock still, had a look back at me and my machine, told me I was mad, but he never moved away and quite enjoyed it, I think.

Sadly the vacuum wasn’t much use – it didn’t work as well as I wanted it to, though, which was a shame. I could saved loads of time from all that brushing.

Never mind, I tried.  So back to brushing it is or maybe they could do it themselves.

On my way back into the house, I vacuumed Monster too but we all know he likes that.  So an interesting “experiment” today.  Knowledge is power and knowing I can vacuum Haakon if required is useful.

(Pepper lives in a constant state of war with the vacuum so we don’t go there.)

A Bit of Brushing

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Last night.  It was raining so the dweebs ate inside their container – all except Albie who was perfectly happy outside.

And then from this morning. I think I can truthfully say that Fivla enjoyed her breakfast.  I found her washing up all the buckets when I went back to collect them.

Vitamoobag had taken up residence in “her” shed.

With everything cleared up, washed up and refilled with food to soak, I went in for my breakfast along with the Sphinx Mk II.

Once I got my iPad back, I had a nice conversation with Daisy and we decided that I should brush one horse/pony a day as I am still not convinced that Haakon and Iacs are putting on weight as fast as they should.  The theory being that if they are stripped of their winter coats, their bodies might go into summer mode and start using their food energy differently.

As I walked past armed with my brushes, I saw that Fivla too had taken up residence.

Luckily Iacs had not strayed very far and so he was my first target.

I brushed until my arms hurt!

And I think he looks a lot better for it.

Feeling inspired, I noticed that Fivla had not left the paddock – the others had long since departed – so I started brushing her.

Ungrateful, Fivla walked off midway – my bad, I didn’t bring a headcollar (I hadn’t thought to) – so I let her leave and told her that I would come back to her tomorrow.

Anyway, my back was beginning to hurt.  I did the worst of her.

So that was my good deed for the day. Tomorrow is Haakon or Kolka’s go, depending on who turns up and maybe the rest of Fivla.