Gia - session 141 - Bath time!
I worked with Gia today on pretty much the same things we have been doing at the walk and trot lately. Everything went pretty much how it has been going - nothing dramatically good or bad.
It was quite hot today, so I decided I would hop off early and revisit bathing with her.
She has been bathed before, but not since last season, so no telling what she remembers.
With a young or green horse, I always make sure they are really sweaty and it's a nice hot day, before I attempt bathing. They are more likely to enjoy it that way, and less likely to be afraid of it.
I started her out just like I would if she had never been bathed. With ANY horse I bathe, even the experienced ones, I ALWAYS start by turning on the hose with the nozzle pointed AWAY from the horse. Then I bring it in and start with their lower front legs, being careful to aim the water away from their face. Then I work my way up their body, towards their head, with the spray still pointed away from their face, and then work my way towards the back of their body.
I had Danielle hold Gia, rather than tie her to the washing area. This way, in case she gets scared, she doesn't break the tie, which would teach her a very bad habit that is VERY hard to break. Then I went through the entire bathing process with her.
When I first turned the hose on, it spat out some air, which startled Gia a bit. When I approached her with the hose, she was a bit nervous, but relaxed after just a few seconds. She was nervous again when I approached her head, but soon relaxed from that as well.
Overall, she did quite well, considering it's been a while.
When I finished her body, I changed my sprayer to "mist" and sprayed off her face. She handled that really well! I was actually surprised with how well that went!
This will continue to be a two person job until Gia has three good, relaxed sessions, but this was a good start!
It was quite hot today, so I decided I would hop off early and revisit bathing with her.
She has been bathed before, but not since last season, so no telling what she remembers.
With a young or green horse, I always make sure they are really sweaty and it's a nice hot day, before I attempt bathing. They are more likely to enjoy it that way, and less likely to be afraid of it.
I started her out just like I would if she had never been bathed. With ANY horse I bathe, even the experienced ones, I ALWAYS start by turning on the hose with the nozzle pointed AWAY from the horse. Then I bring it in and start with their lower front legs, being careful to aim the water away from their face. Then I work my way up their body, towards their head, with the spray still pointed away from their face, and then work my way towards the back of their body.
I had Danielle hold Gia, rather than tie her to the washing area. This way, in case she gets scared, she doesn't break the tie, which would teach her a very bad habit that is VERY hard to break. Then I went through the entire bathing process with her.
When I first turned the hose on, it spat out some air, which startled Gia a bit. When I approached her with the hose, she was a bit nervous, but relaxed after just a few seconds. She was nervous again when I approached her head, but soon relaxed from that as well.
Overall, she did quite well, considering it's been a while.
When I finished her body, I changed my sprayer to "mist" and sprayed off her face. She handled that really well! I was actually surprised with how well that went!
This will continue to be a two person job until Gia has three good, relaxed sessions, but this was a good start!
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