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Betsy Carter's Horse Scene Date published: 10/10/2008
READY OR NOT, it's If you're going to clip--and you should if you're planning to show this winter--your horse's blankets must be cleaned and repaired first. It's a dirty job, but someone has to do it. If you've stored your blankets dirty, be prepared to retrieve them carefully. All sorts of bugs and critters may have been making homes there. If the cobwebs and dust don't disgust you, there also may be bees' nests. The bees should all be dead, but not the spiders. Worse than all the bugs are mice. All spring and summer, mice have been making nests and raising families in that cozy blanket, so it's really filthy and stinky. It's full of all kinds of debris left behind by the mice. So be prepared. You do not want to pull this blanket and its contents down onto your head and face! However you manage it, take the horrible thing outdoors, preferably on a sunny, breezy day. Hang the blanket on a fence with the wind blowing away from you. The wind will do some of your job for you. Using a stiff broom, stand back from the mess and sweep the webs, bees and mouse nests off the blanket. You may have to peel the mud daubbers' nests off the fabric. You could crush them, but it makes more of a mess. Leave the blanket outside for a day or so to air out. Afterward, if you are so inclined, you might have to take a stiff brush to remove the imbedded horse hair. Next, check the blanket for needed repairs. Finally the blanket is ready for the washer and then repair. Most people who do repairs will not accept dirty blankets. Show Results Whitestone Farm year-end awardsLeadline champion--Lizzie Meuller; reserve--Elaine Pruitt. Pre short stirrup champion--Zoe Leweczak; reserve--Carrington Meuller. Short stirrup champion--Julia Bain; reserve--Allegra Massey-Elim. Student champion--Brooke Gardner; reserve--Maxie Sayer. Pleasure pony champion--Cocktail Brandy; reserve--Bit A Moonlight. Green pony champion--Gideon's Trumpet; reserve--Captain Jack. Pony equitation champion--Michael Mahoney; reserve--Carmen Cantrell. Pony hunter, sm.-med. champion--Fenway Public Gardens; reserve--Dipped in Silver. Pony hunter, large champion--Sunsational; reserve--Sweet Obsession. Pleasure horse, adult champion--Angel in Disguise, r/Kelly Taylor, Pleasure horse, junior champion--Sirocco; reserve--Devon.
1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
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