My confidence in Larry's preparation for the upcoming show is building. We had really good schooling sessions yesterday and today; the better I ride, the better he goes. (Heh. Funny how that works!) I start off with riding through both tests at walk on a long rein, which gives him a good warm-up, then we work on connection, gaits and transitions.
Yesterday and today have been summer-like, with record high temps for the dates. Yesterday after I schooled him I thought I'd give the sweaty boy a bath, but he was so freaked out by the sight of the hose that I postponed it for today, when I knew I'd have more time. It didn't take long for him to settle down, and he got a good scrubbing with medicated shampoo. I also used the clippers to tidy up his chin; will do his hairy legs another day. He wasn't at all comfortable with the clippers near his bridle path or ears, so I just scissor-trimmed those areas. After I was done cleaning him up, I took a couple photos to share. It gives me great satisfaction to see him filling out and starting to shine!
Hopefully the sheet will keep him clean enough that all I'll need to bathe before the show will be his head and legs.
Yesterday and today have been summer-like, with record high temps for the dates. Yesterday after I schooled him I thought I'd give the sweaty boy a bath, but he was so freaked out by the sight of the hose that I postponed it for today, when I knew I'd have more time. It didn't take long for him to settle down, and he got a good scrubbing with medicated shampoo. I also used the clippers to tidy up his chin; will do his hairy legs another day. He wasn't at all comfortable with the clippers near his bridle path or ears, so I just scissor-trimmed those areas. After I was done cleaning him up, I took a couple photos to share. It gives me great satisfaction to see him filling out and starting to shine!
Hopefully the sheet will keep him clean enough that all I'll need to bathe before the show will be his head and legs.
4 comments:
Michelle, he is GORGEOUS! And I'm sure once he gets into the "routine" of baths and clipping, he will be more "settled." I discovered that one set of clippers (for bridle paths and zizzing around the outsides of ears--no "tufts" allowed in dressage ;o) get hot rather quickly, so I use another pair that stay cooler longer for ears and bridle paths.
WOW - who is that and what have you done with the real Larry? He looks great! I have to wash Tang's mane and tail - didn't do it yesterday because of the T-storm, and didn't get home until 6:30 (with T-storm issues to fix when I got home), so tomorrow it is. She seems so happy where she is.
I don't know if I can come see you ride, but if I don't, good luck!
And I laughed out loud about your riding comment...
I thought he was looking better in the last set of photos, but after a bath it's even more amazing. Have a great time at the show!
He looks wonderful! I'm almost just as excited about your show as you are I think! Have fun!!
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