| There are some horses that do not like to stand to | | | | moves, by turning him on a circle around you as he |
| be washed or actually seem to be scared of the | | | | moves. Once he realises that you are not going to |
| hose or wet sponge. This does not have to mean | | | | stop and that the procedure is not as scary as first |
| that your horse never gets bathed. With a little | | | | thought he should stand still and once he does this, |
| patience, a few clever tricks and understanding any | | | | you can take the sponge away and praise him. This |
| horse can be taught to stand still and be bathed. | | | | should be done gradually until you feel confident to |
| Behaviour specialists have recommended setting | | | | move on to a hose. |
| some time aside in order to begin re-establish good | | | | The horse should not be tied up and the hose should |
| behaviour when bathing / being washed down. | | | | be long enough to prevent either you or the horse |
| Setting time aside will prevent you from wanting to | | | | from becoming tangled up in it. Very nervous horses |
| rush through the process and make the experience | | | | can be introduced to the hose with the water off to |
| as relaxing as it can be for the horse. It is | | | | begin with. It can be moved about, he can be walked |
| recommended that any time spent working with | | | | over it and it can even be moved around his legs until |
| horses in this way be done on a soft, non-slippy | | | | he becomes totally bored with the now non-scary |
| surface and with the handler wearing non-slippy | | | | hose. To make the acceptance of the hose as |
| footwear, a riding hat and gloves and use a long | | | | comfortable as possible it is nicer to introduce the |
| lead-rope or lungeline to hold the horse with. | | | | horse to it on a warm sunny day. Start with a slow |
| Depending on the severity of the horses dislike to | | | | trickle on the front hoof nearest you. Again, if the |
| water, to begin with work can start by using a damp | | | | horse moves, bring him on a circle around you until he |
| sponge. this can be run across the horses coat as | | | | becomes used to this. Once the horse becomes used |
| you would a grooming brush. Gradually the amount of | | | | to this the water can be moved upwards and |
| water on the sponge can increase. It is important to | | | | gradually across his body. Be careful when near his |
| not tie the horse up while any work to accustom him | | | | head that water does not get in his ears. Once the |
| to this procedure is done. Firstly this will prevent the | | | | horse is used to this process it is advised that you |
| horse, who will inevitable want ton move away from | | | | start at the head and neck ensuring you wash the |
| the water, from puling back on the string he is tied | | | | forelock backwards so that should the horse lift his |
| to and becoming scared, and secondly will allow you | | | | head up the water runs away from the horses face. |
| to continue the application of a wet sponge as he | | | | |