Ah, Spring!

Saturday was a spa day for Jaz. For him, it's not so much about making him foofy as it is being proactive in dealing with his myriad skin issues. I roached his mane down to the bed, and clipped his ears, face, and fetlocks. Okay, maybe that last part was a little foofy. I then gave him a good scrubbing bath with copious amounts of tea tree oil shampoo. The most important part of the bath is his tail. Because he's so allergic to the no-see-ums, it's important to keep the base clean and slathered in Swat. 

 My computer is full of "nosy noser" photos like this.

 We walked to the honey hole and I hand grazed him until he was dry.

At least then when he rolled, it was just sand on the surface rather than caked into his skin. Oh well, it's what they do.

I was not up to giving a yearling his first bath. I think Heather said he's been bathed before, but I haven't done it. And I'll bet when she did it, she had help. Maybe I'll try bathing him myself sometime, but only if that's the only thing I have to do. We settled for brushed, face washed, bridle path clipped, dewormed, and sprayed for flies. He actually likes having his face washed. It gave him sleepy eyes.

Bathing a horse is a whole lot like work. And when you're done, the horse is the only thing that's clean. Oh, the places I had hair.

 Sunday I loaded Jaz in the trailer, and once again, Daltrey moseyed right on in. 

 I don't see what the big deal is.

 I ain't skeered.

So Daltrey came to Iron Ridge and played while I rode Jaz. He got to see his mama, who was happy to see him for all of about 30 seconds before she made it clear she was so over him. When everyone else had gone, we closed the main gate and let Daltrey and Jaz graze in the yard while we sat and yakked. The gate to the arena was open and they started running and playing. Soon the entire herd caught wind of the game and we had 30+ horses running circles around 30 acres, bucking, and farting. It was beauteous. The best part was when Jaz put on his Ay-rab airs — head helt high, tail flagged, showing us his best "park pony" trot — and Daltrey was doing his best imitation. It was so cute! When it was time to go, Daltrey walked right back in the trailer again. Gotta love it.

Baby D is growing by fits and starts. He finally outgrew the yearling halter he's been in since birth. I got one like Poco's with the leather part around his head that is adjustable and removable from either side, and is also adjustable under the chin. I had to put a couple more holes in the chin part by heating a nail and melting the nylon. He looks like such a big boy now!

Texas has sprung into Spring with sunshine and temps in the 80s. Sunburned in March. Who'd o' thunk it?