Dampness makes for scratches -- Your best defense against crud on heels is to only put bone dry legs in or out. Great grooms never veer from this rule to live by. Here's more on how to treat and protect against scratches...
Here’s a proven and guaranteed program for tails to be SNOWY WHITE, bright and SHINY.
Rule #1: Don’t use detangler. It can discolor. Plus, you WON’T NEED and added conditioner nor detangler with this program.
Rule #2: Don’t use conventional whitening shampoos. Did you ever notice those horses always seem to get dirty? Drying shampoos...
Chronicle of the Horse blogger Lily Foregger shares lessons from Ruthann's first in the Essentials of Sound Horsemanship Clinic Series...
Cold backs and muscles make horses prone to soundness problems. Soap MUST be rinsed well, or skin irritations will ensue. So, without warm running water, bathing is not a wise option. YET, those competing or getting clipped need to be clean. There are two very viable options for bathing without wetting horses.
Clipping can be comfy. Many people inadvertently teach horses to dislike being body clipped...
YES!!! Freshly clipped and SHINY!!!
I get a lot of questions about Body Clipping. This image was taken last week. The horse had its FIRST CLIP of the fall a week earlier. Does the coat look ruined??? That is great grooming. It's a HIGH COMPLIMENT is when someone asks, “Is that horse clipped?”
This horse gets groomed vigorously daily, before and after work. This keeps the hair fine. Currying exfoliates and stimulates oils. Grooming pulls natural protective oils down the hair shafts, to close the end. That is why this horse does not have the wire brush look. Instead, he looks like satin!
Normally, Ace of Spades is bathed once a week, sometimes more often. He also got a soap bath before and after clipping. The barn only uses the shampoo that instead of stripping the coat, actually enhances natural oils: This Lucky Braids shampoo is all you need to achieve that great coat.
This TopTurnout Salute goes out to the great groom Martha Briseno and all of Snowbrook with trainer Kimberly Prince. Their horses are always meticulously managed.
I just love to honor and celebrate EXCELLENCE in HORSEMANSHIP!
~Ruthann
