Grooming my Friesian Horses
Anyone who owns a horse should know that daily grooming is a very important part of horse care. Regular and proper grooming reveals a lot about the animal and helps to be certain that the horse’s skin and coat is healthy. Owning five beautiful Friesian horses, this daily grooming takes a good deal of time. Betsy Perreten, my stable manager, speeds the process up by using an equine vacuum, rather than a dandy brush, to remove dirt, hair, and other detritus from the horses’ coats. This vacuum is made by the Electric Cleaner Company and it does a fine job. Recently, one of the motors on this well-used apparatus broke down and I had Betsy order a new vacuum and I thought it would be interesting to post a blog about what is involved with grooming a horse.
1 Three of my five Friesians - Meindert, Rinze, and Rutger enjoying their time in the paddock eating plenty of fresh grass.
2 Horses enjoy a good roll in the grass, which scratches their backs and realigns their spines. When the grass is wet and muddy, it provides a cooling effect and helps to keep pesky flies from biting.
3 Betsy leading my muddy Friesians to the stables for their grooming
4 About once a week, the horses are showered thoroughly.
5 Rutger looking very relaxed and quite happy
6 We use a gentle shampoo made by Healing Tree. It contains Tea Tree Oil, Peppermint Oil and Aloe Vera, which suds nicely and rinses out easily and incorporates Tea Tree Oil’s anti-microbial activity. It also smells great.
7 Dolma spends a good deal of time shampooing the horse's tails, which are quite long and thick.
8 As she passes her hands through, Dolma is on the lookout for ticks and other alien objects.
9 This is an equine vacuum, which gets used on each horse every day. We've had this model for several years and after much heavy use, one of the two motors stopped working, so Betsy ordered a new one.
10 This is the grooming area of the stable with all tools and products within easy reach.
11 The new vacuum from Electric Cleaner Company arrived in two separate boxes.
12 Dominick, who handles all things mechanical at the farm, opened the boxes to see how much needed to be assembled.
13 The new body
14 And the parts that fit into it
15 And here is the newly assembled Electro-Groom. I love the design of this vacuum. It's so retro! However, Dominick will have to make one change.
16 This is the front leg of the old Electro-Groom, which Dominick added a small caster to. Betsy says that the wheel makes it much easier to move the vacuum around the horse while grooming.
17 Betsy showing the removable filter bag that catches all the hair, dust, and debris.
18 There are two separate and powerful motors. With both running, vacuuming is very efficient, but they can be run separately for cleaning the more tender areas of the animal.
19 By attaching the hose to the outtake vent, the unit can also be used as a powerful blower for drying purposes.
20 Before vacuuming the horses, Betsy likes to use a soft rubber curry comb, which helps remove mud and loosens matted dirt for quick grooming. It also stimulates the skin to produce natural oils.
21 Combing also helps to brings out the horse's coat's natural shine. Plus, it really feels good and they love being combed!
22 After combing, Gelbu got busy and started to vacuum Rutger.
23 Both vacuum motors are turned on for the large areas of the horse. Vacuuming is important because it removes dirt, loose hair, and parasites, leaving the natural oils in the coat for a beautiful, shiny look.
24 One motor is running for areas like this.
25 After vacuuming each horse, if the horse hasn't been showered, an all-natural waterless equine shampoo is applied to the coat.
26 The shampoo is sprayed onto a cloth. This formula contains tea tree oil, henna, hyacinth, clove, and Vitamin E, which helps to remove dirt, manure, grass stains, and more.
27 It also helps to moisturize the coat for an even more beautiful sheen.
28 Another part of daily horse grooming is to clean the bottom of each hoof using a hoof pick. This is very important for hoof health because it removes mud, bedding, stones, and other debris compacted in the underside of the hoof. This helps to prevent thrush, a common hoof ailment which in very severe cases may cause lameness.
Martha Pins
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cool new look!
Posted by: liisamarja | May 31st, 2012 at 2:26 am
Great photos as usual, the vacuum's retro design was so surprising! By the way, I love the new look of the blog, everything looks great and navigates well! Good work.
Posted by: Nick Stein | May 31st, 2012 at 3:24 am
Loved these pictures of care given your horses
"Gypsy gold does not clang and glitter, but gleams in the sun and neighs in the dark."
As one who moved from fathers house to husbands house and still lives in the county where I was born, Moravian roots living vagabond life of a gypsy often has been repressed. I have loved Friesians,Vanners and the many horses that pulled the vardos, home for my people who wondered Europe for years and happy you are teaching about this breed.
Posted by: ann | May 31st, 2012 at 6:14 am
Beautiful, beautiful horses. It looks like a lot of hard work to keep their coats in good condition. You can tell Betsy loves the horses and taking care of them as well as the other helpers.
Posted by: karen tracy | May 31st, 2012 at 6:38 am
Wow Martha, your blog page looks so nice! I love your picture on the banner at the top of the page, very pretty! No wonder your friesian horses always looks so healthy and well groomed, Betsy and company put in a lot of work. I also love the retro look of the equine vacuum. Thanks Martha!
Posted by: Cindy F | May 31st, 2012 at 7:47 am
Why don't you base a new tv show on life at your farm.it is so exciting to see what you're done at this wonderful place.This is what you're best at!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Charles McKenzie | May 31st, 2012 at 8:53 am
You mentioned Dominick as an employee who handles all things mechanical, I think it would be interesting to see posts on the day to day operations of some of your staff. Especially the property manager, what an interesting job he/she must have.
Thanks,
Kelly
Posted by: Kelly | May 31st, 2012 at 9:04 am
I am curious about the horse's names.
Posted by: Susan Kuhlman | May 31st, 2012 at 9:30 am
I've got to say, I have never vacuumed a horse. I've cleaned hooves & brushed & hosed down my Penny when she was dirty. It's been many years since I had my Penny and I miss her & her companionship. Many people have no idea all the care a horse needs.
Thanks for the post, Martha.
Sharon
Posted by: Sharon | May 31st, 2012 at 9:47 am
Hi Martha, Thanks for this new photo of you on your wonderful blog page-you look stunning! How fun it is to learn even more today about your handsome Friesians and the great care they are getting from fabulous Betsy, Dolma, Dominick, and Geibu in this terrific blog! Your Friesians have the most fantastic stable I've ever seen and they always look so happy getting the care they need! These photos are wonderful to see not only your Freisians, but your great Bedford farm paddocks, more of the stable and Betsy and her helpers! Cleaning their hooves is extremely important to keep them healthy! The equine vacuum is great and so are the shampoos! Can't wait to see more blogs about the donkeys, chickens, and of course F,S,&GK as well as more of your farm, especially all of the gardening and the crew members! Hope you are having fun in Marrakesh and can't wait for that blog, too! I love everything you share with us Martha and I'm learning something new everyday! Thanks so much! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | May 31st, 2012 at 9:58 am
LOVE the new Martha Blog header!
Posted by: emily | May 31st, 2012 at 10:18 am
Hi Martha,
The new format is great; the complete captions under the photos show up now. I was only able to read parts of them yesterday and I couldn’t get them to show up when I hovered over the picture either. Great picture of you! I always come back to read any new comments so it was quite a surprise yesterday when this page came up. I thought I clicked on the wrong site in my favorites list.
~
Thanks for an interesting blog on horse grooming – they seem to enjoy getting a bath and the vacuum is probably soothing. You take such great care of all of your animals - the horses seem so docile for such big creatures. I’m sure they know they are loved and they feel safe. I used to ride a lot and really miss it so thanks for sharing your horses with us. Trish
Posted by: Trish | May 31st, 2012 at 10:35 am
I really like the new blog design. Nice and clean looking.
Posted by: Andrea | May 31st, 2012 at 12:32 pm
Martha , the picture of you on the blog header is awesome...I want to know how you keep so young looking! I love love horses and yours are beautiful...thanks for the education on grooming.
Posted by: Marie | May 31st, 2012 at 2:07 pm
What a fun post today! Anything animal related makes me smile.
I dig the horsie vacuum, wonder if it would work on hairy husbands!
What a wonderful, dedicated staff you have to help care for the animals.
gail
Posted by: gail pierson | May 31st, 2012 at 2:33 pm
I wish I could use a vacuum on my cats (all three are busy shedding and even though I comb them, throwing up hair balls).
Posted by: homer | May 31st, 2012 at 2:56 pm
Martha,
Thanks for sharing this blog. I love love love your new blog format. You are one beautiful lady love the photo.
Posted by: KLBrown | May 31st, 2012 at 3:57 pm
Hi Martha, have you ever ridden any of your horses? When I was in Germany, one of my friend had a friesian mare horse and she was 8 years old, So.. elegant to ride. I had mind until 3 years ago he went back to heaven!. not of old age but the groom forgot to give him water after few hours of riding him in the hot sun. I wasn't there when it happen. I am very sad, will never have anymore horse of my own, it's too painful. To have a good relationship with your horse, you need to groom yourself and get closer to them. They are just healing to a human soul more then any money can buy.
Good luck with your adventure with your loving horses.
blessing to you,
evm
Posted by: entin | May 31st, 2012 at 10:36 pm
I too would love a show from your farm, and all that it takes to run one. I am getting some chickens and need your help...Thanks M for all you do, love your shows...Debi
Posted by: Debi Orndorff | June 1st, 2012 at 7:18 am
those are some beautiful horses
Posted by: gardeners land | June 1st, 2012 at 3:38 pm
The vacuums are great but Don't forget to brush - it brings up the natural oils and It is how I check for injuries that are not realily apparent. G. Bunker
Posted by: G Bunker | June 2nd, 2012 at 1:58 pm
Beautiful horses! be careful about letting them get too much grass. Heavier breeds like Freisians are especially susceptible to laminitis due to too much spring grass. I would like to see all of them wearing grazing muzzles.
Posted by: Judith Gilsdorf | June 3rd, 2012 at 5:55 pm
Hi, Martha, I used to vacuum my Appy sport horse years ago. It made grooming so much easier! I must get one for my black quarter horse, Sonny. I too, would love to see more shows from your farm! Thanks for all you do. Karen H (Anduin's mom)
Posted by: Karen Havens | June 3rd, 2012 at 7:29 pm
I love that your blog includes so many pics and articles about your horses. I hope you'll include some pics of your Friesians driving, especially if you attend CDEs.
Posted by: Heather Clemenceau | June 5th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
Thanks for sharing Martha! Friesians are my favorite. So gorgeous and strong
Posted by: annise | June 5th, 2012 at 4:24 pm
Miss Martha - thank you for being so kind as to share your lovely home and horses with all of us. They are magnificent and you are encouraging people to be interested in learning of their history. You find ways of causing people to use their natural curiosity in such wonderful ways. You are a treasure and we are grateful for you always. Carol Faver, Covington,Georgia
Posted by: Carol Faver | June 5th, 2012 at 9:46 pm
Dear Mrs. Stewart,
Thought you would like to know that at the last hour yesterday 44+ healthy, young horses are going home instead of slaughter.
Thanks to the amazing work of Laura from the Starlight Sanctuary and many other people from all over the US the horses are now safe from a kill bill in Nevada!
However, they are still in need of donations - please help them by spreading the word.
They have been working tremendously trying to find homes for the horses since the beginning of this month. Although all of the horses were rescued, some of them where only sponsored and do not have a home so they will go to the sanctuary.
Also, we MUST raise awareness about this issue. It is truly horrible that we continue to ship horses to slaughters in Canada and Mexico!
For more information, please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=359976317429637&set=a.356828324411103.84325.356827557744513&type=1&theater
http://thestarlightsanctuary.webs.com
http://www.tobyslegacy.org
Sincerely,
Yesenia Naber
Posted by: Yesenia Naber | October 30th, 2012 at 12:52 am
This brought back so many memories. I was delighted to see the Electro Groom is still around. It is a great horse vac. And, once used to it, the horses love it.
Thanks for the memories!
Posted by: mary schneider | December 13th, 2012 at 4:13 pm
Ms. Stewart: I own a baroque Friesian here in the USA and never tire of seeing other people's Friesians. There is something about a Friesian that captivates people. I've heard many times that you had your own herd of these spectacular equines. Thanks for the blog and photos. You have a magnificent treasure in these animals. They look great. Do any of your Friesians have Lammert 260 or Oege or Anne in their pedigree? Just wondering.
Posted by: David Marra | December 31st, 2012 at 11:47 pm
Hi Martha,
I love seeing your beautiful Friesians - I live in NY state pretty close to you and I also own a spectacular Friesian mare (she really owns me!). Of course she is the love of my life ( a Teade 392 daughter). IA agree with the person who wrote be careful with the grass as it can be risky with these horses.. My "Sedona" has to wear her grazing muzzle, (horses still get plenty of grass but the muzzle keeps them safe). Also Friesians are known for their strong hooves, most of the ones I know are barefoot, including mine, Are you sure your horses need shoes?
Enjoy your magnificent Friesians and thank you for showing them to us,
Laurie Rubenfeld
Posted by: Laurie Rubenfeld | February 25th, 2013 at 1:53 am