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| Mr. Blue |
I
had also planned to ride Blue this weekend but decided against it. Did you ever have a horse look you straight
in the eye and right then you knew it wasn’t going to be a good day for either
of you? Well, if you have, you know
what I mean. Blue seemed really tired
and not into it so I let it be. After we
had this shared psychic communication we decided on a thorough grooming session
instead.
After
de-burring his forelock, mane and tail I went to work with the currycomb. Poor
Blue is covered in scabs under his jaw and chest and up high on his inner back
legs. He has always had terrible
reactions to ticks and we’ve had a thriving tick population lately. I’m attributing it to the warmer
temperatures. I’ve been picking those
blood-bloated bodies off all the horses lately, but they like Blue the best for
some reason.
I’m
happy that I have horses that like to be groomed. Mr. Blue loves
to be groomed and could stand for hours soaking up the attention. After his brushing I went to work on him with
the vacuum. I’ve never seen a horse
practically fall asleep on the cross ties while being vacuumed but then again
we’re talking about Blue here. He’s
definitely different. Blue could hardly
keep his eyes opened and I’d venture a guess he was a little disappointed when
I turned the vacuum off and he was done.
The only saving grace was his apple reward afterwards.
For
anyone thinking of getting a vacuum I would recommend it and go so far as to
say it’s one of the best investments we ever made. Especially, with the winter months
approaching and limited bathing opportunities.
We have the Electro Groom.
Until
next time
Quote for Today
On the first day god said let there be horses ... on
the second day he painted them!
Love it! Hudson nods off if I clip his face. He's great for helping to sack out horses holding up signs that read "Just Say NO to Clippers!" Sounds like Blue is an advertisement for the equine vac. Would so love one of those. Knock Hudson right out. For what it's worth, friend of mine swears by giving Red Cell to horses that attract ticks. Don't know if it prevents them, but keeps their iron levels from dropping, I'm told.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'll look into the Red Cell. Sounds like a good idea.
DeleteBlue is a very handsome fellow! He and my Harley would get along just fine. Harley falls asleep when being groomed and while having his feet done. Always was a laid back kind of guy, takes time to stop and smell the roses. What are the benefits of vacuuming other than the obvious of dust removal? Keeping in mind that we have lots of wet horses and mud. Lots of mud. Still recommend?
ReplyDeleteWe have a horse with Cushing's,Mellon, and he has a long coat right now. Last weekend he was sweaty and covered in mud from a good roll. My daughter curried him as much as she could and then vacuumed him and his coat looked much better. No more mud anyway. I don't think it would work on very wet horses but I can't be sure because we've never tried it. I'm afraid it would break the vacuum. I wonder if a wet/dry shop vac would work though? I generally don't like them because they seem to tip over easily and the vac we have is very sturdy. I guess it's up to you if you want to give one a try ;)
DeleteHe's a beauty. I always thought that if for some reason I couldn't ride again, I would be very content just grooming. Like Blue, my guy loves being fussed over and brushed. Does your vacuum work on ground in, encrusted mud?? :-)
ReplyDeleteFor the first time EVER, I pulled a tick off of my dog. Disgusting creatures! Can't imagine pulling those things off on a regular basis. Yuck!
Thanks Wolfie. He is a handsome guy. I like to groom too. About the vacuum I never really tried it on the ground in mud, I usually curry and brush a little first. Then the vacuum gets all the ground in dust that's left off, they really like it though.
ReplyDeleteOur horses have been just covered in them lately. Even more so than the summer. They swell up with the blood and sometimes when you pull them off they pop right in your hands. Ewww! Horrible disgusting parasites. I despise them.
Oh I love this post!!!! Thank you for the information about the Electro Groom. I dream of one day getting one - although I admit my boys don't love grooming!!! There would be no nodding off - at least at first! I long to have horses who enjoy a good grooming. I once did, but these guys are a tickly bunch. I've learned to "dance" around their wiggles and make it work, but it isn't always the best - YET - we are working on it though!
ReplyDeleteBlue is really lovely. The ticks probably taste something yummier (is that a word?) in his blood. Our Sovey has more flies on his face than the other two. They just are attracted to him for some reason.
Hi Juliette,
ReplyDeleteWho knows they might like the vacuum better than brushes. Poor Blue is covered with flies during the season. He must smell better or taste better to them. I recently read an article about the research they're doing on why some horses attract and others don't. They really haven't come up with an answer but one theory was that for some reason they liked darker horses better? That might be true for your boys but Blue is mostly white so I'm not buying that theory yet. I think he has a different smell or something else that attracts them.
Our painted pony has never had many flies or ticks but had a terrible time with gnats/midges on the belly this summer. Just when I think I can make a rule about something it changes! Love Blue's gorgeous eye. :). Say hi to j from me.
ReplyDeleteI'll definitely tell her you said hi!
ReplyDeleteAnd now for a roll in the dust to wipe all the CLEAN off....
ReplyDeleteHa! At least he didn't do it while I was watching.
DeleteI'm remembering back to the mud-monsters I had last year and wondering could Santa bring a horse vac for me!!
ReplyDeleteI love Blue's eye... are they both blue or just one? (Hate the term wall-eye!)
I don't like the term wall eye either. Blue has just the one blue eye. I think he's a very handsome guy.
ReplyDeleteI think that sounds the best, grooming your horse for a lovely long time :D But I must admit, I didn't realise they could be vacuumed! Blue sounds like me at the hairdressers; I too get snoozy when the hairdryer's on *lol*
ReplyDeleteTicks - yuck!! I remember, growing up in Malaysia, we'd have to pull them off the dogs all the time ... disgusting creatures (the ticks, not the dogs) Are they bigger on horses? *shudder*
No the ticks are the same size around here for dogs, cats, horses or humans. Guess it depends on how much they gorge on your blood how big they get. Hate the little buggers. I see no use for them at all except to spread disease.
ReplyDeleteI love horses who love to be pampered!! The image of him almost napping while being vacuumed made me laugh out loud :) you should take a video and send it to the company :D
ReplyDeleteHe is quite a character.
DeleteMy Thoroughbred gets these scabby crusty spots all over his coat (particularly back and sides) this time of year. None of the other horses get it. They itch terribly! I don't think it's from ticks, but I can't imagine what it is!
ReplyDelete- The Equestrian Vagabond
It might not be from ticks for your guy but I think it might be the case with Blue. He has very bad reactions to any bites he gets. Sometimes swelling up first and then the crusty scabs appear. I don't know maybe it's not the ticks so many things with our horses are a mystery. Frustrating. I'm glad the cold is here now.
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