When I'm working, especially long hours like today, I don't tend to have a lot to do. Homework can only occupy so much time before I either A) finish or B) give up. And even a Dover Saddlery or Smartpak catalog can only occupy an hour or so.
I'd love a good book right now, but alas, I have none, and read the only novel I have at school with me in two days.
This usually leaves me with surfing the internet, researching random horse related topics, reading random blogs, and finding all sorts of good things to do on the webz. Today's topic: winter hair coat care.
Anyone who has a horse like Ernie (who I'm convinced in half yak) who grows ridiculous amounts of hair in the winter knows keeping said horse clean is not only impossible, it's downright insane. Thus, I don't attempt it, for both my own fragile brain and his.
However, I was reminded several times by a few different articles that winter coats can trap dirt and filth and cause a variety of yucky skin conditions, namely rain rot, fungal infections, scratches and the like.
Now, Ernie already has scratches. Back right pastern, always has, ever since I got him. It gets better or worse depending on the time of year. I just do the best I can, keeping it clean and clipped and slathering in greasy goo (my own combination of a scratches medication and Desitin ointment) most of the year.
However, I never thought about rain rot. He does like to stand outside an awful lot, and although I've never had an issue with him with any sort of dermatological problem (save for the occasional dry skin) I just kinda figured because he's blanketed I really didn't have to worry. Not to say that I'm worried now, but I definitely rethought this position, especially given the fact that he's now retired and not subject to the same scrutinizing check-over's I'd give when he was in work. Now, he sits in front of a hay bag all day, and gets brought out a few times a week for a good grooming and some treats and stretches and massages. Otherwise, I'm leaving him alone for the most part (until he starts shedding, which actually has already begun, in which case I'll be the yak by the end of it all).
So now I have this awful urge to attack the old man with a curry comb and bring him up to the main barn for a thorough vacuum. I will be attending to this tomorrow, methinks. In the mean time, I'll continue to sit here and avoid the idea of pulling my own hair out as I look longingly out the window....
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