As show time approaches, it is past time to begin the work of fitting those we plan to show. We have preoccupied with the purchase of another farm which will provide hay for ourselves and others. There are young people eager to know more about horses so …..we step up to that plate as well.  Breeding season has been long but over for now.  Talbot’s Sparky is a little thin but in awesome shape and the newest addition CHF Otis is growing like a weed.  So now we turn our attention to the coming shows.   As we do not house our horses in stalls but provide ample pasture, their hair….manes, tails, and leg feather (NOTE: NOT feathers as are on birds, but feather as on draft horses such as Shire and Clydesdale) does take a hit in the looks department during extreme weather.  With that in mind, when shows are approaching as they are now, we begin to condition mane, tail, and feather with (Tip of the day!) a NON sulfate conditioner that we apply Prior to shampooing, and reapply After shampooing.  Manes are braided as well as tails, taken down every few days and the process is repeated.  The result is a lovely mane, tail, and leg feather with growth and condition to go into the shows with.  Regular grooming is a necessity and should be done daily….twenty minutes of curry and brush time…think of it is ‘wax on, wax off’ work as in  the movie ‘Karate Kid”.  You get in shape as well as provide the elbow grease needed to make for a pretty horse.

Talbot’s Sparky