January 21, 2015

Mud

It's been so warm here this week (it hit 50!) that I let Connor go out with just a sheet and no neck rug.  Partially, I wanted to see if his mane would stay over on one side with it (it did - success!).  He had a really good time wearing less clothing, apparently:

Completely even mud coverage.

Upon closer inspection, there was still bits of grass on his head:


And he apparently also slept in the round bale at some point:


So we had to fix all of that before my ride.  I'm becoming weirdly attached to grooming these days, and for someone who, in the past, has just groomed where the saddle and girth went and called it good, that's strange.  Maybe it's an age thing.

That mane is killing me, but I'm going to let it keep going for a while longer.  Maybe.  I want it to be all on one side more than I want it to be show ring short right now.

Ahhhhhhh I'm so sorry it looks so bad.

21 comments:

  1. That even mud coating takes talent! And I am getting twitchy just looking at that long mane.... how are you dealing?!

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    1. By covering it with a neck cover! No, seriously, I am dealing with it because I know/hope his mane will stay on the same side afterward. His neck looks so much better when his mane isn't on both sides. My trainer is probably dying on the inside though. Last March she made me pull it, I'm betting I'll get that request again before our first clinic.

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  2. Those cob manes are crazy!!! Emi's is always flopping on both sides. I think I've already given up any idea of having it pulled when she grows up. I'm trying to convince myself that I don't mind a long mane..... :)

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    1. There may be hope! Connor's was always on one side until I pulled it too short when I first got him. Note to self - mane length that works on Thoroughbreds does not on Cobs. Though I think Emi's mane is a lot thicker than Connor's. Good luck - their gorgeous necks look so good if you can get it on one side!

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  3. I could not do that mane. Yikes! Of course, Courage's mane is a bit long right now for a similar reason. I'm finding what I like best with it, then I'll tidy it up again.

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    1. I know, I know. It's my penance for pulling it way too short and making it go all crazy.

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  4. hahahaha he's so muddy! must have had a great time outside...

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    1. He really thoroughly enjoyed himself! This is letting them be horses right? haha.

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  5. Connor totally had the BEST TIME outside, haha!!

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  6. That's what Miles looked like last night! I couldn't even tell what color his blanket was anymore.... ugh!

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    1. Yep, but we have to let them be horses, right? Blankets will wash...eventually...and smell really bad until then...

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  7. Clearly he enjoyed romping around outside :) Mine went naked for one night and managed to lay and roll in all the gross areas outside.

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    1. It's so selfish, but I love it when they're blanketed and they stay clean! I am so used to not having to spend hours currying dried mud, I'm sure you felt the same.

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  8. haha he never misses a spot with the mud, does he?? lol

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  9. I'd like to witness the happy expression on his face while he got that muddy!

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  10. Have you tried hot damp towels to train the mane? It's a trick I picked up at a show jumping barn - pour hot water on a towel, wring it out, and lay it over the neck while you groom. Then you take a stiff brush to all the warm mane and since the skin & pores are soft you sort of pull it down on the correct side.

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  11. It looks like he had so much fun :) I'm also struggling with mane training and not quite sure what my next step is. Pony manes are just as tricky and stubborn as they can be haha

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