Baithing Youngster

[OzzysMam]

Can anyone give me any advice on starting to bath my youngster please? I attempted wash his tail and legs yesterday and he was fine when I washed his tail but when it came to his legs he got himself in a fluster and got very stressed out.

Thanks.

 

[tasteofchristmaschaos]

How did you wash them? Hose?

 

[Cedars]

Ugh, I still havent mastered it.

Puzzle isn't scared of the hose. She isn't scared of buckets. She isn't scared of water. But she IS scared of the sound of water splashing on the floor....

Slowly slowly catchy monkey I think!

 

[Kallibear]

Warm water! A sponge (and a round feed scoop is dead useful for getting water on the legs too). A distraction (nice bucket of chaff) and lots of patience and times.

Start small, don't use soap initially incase you can't rinse it later. Start with the fronts and lots of praise and rewards for standing still.

It just takes time and patiences: I have a totally water phobic horse (who honestly thinks he'll dissolve) but he now stands (under duress) to be bathed all over.

 

[OzzysMam]

Hi, thanks for all the advice. To answer everything I:
Firstly tried to do his front legs with warm water and a sponge which he was ok with but as soon as I moved from his front legs to his middle he started to get very anxious and then became almost untouchable.

I have tried again tonight, doing the same thing and i got slightly further along his body before he got upset again so I think patience and persistance are going to be the best way forward with him, as usual lol.

Thanks for the advice though it really helped, the round feed scoop was really great when I washed his front legs again tonight.