Shaving the Thelwell

Who's the cutest naked pony?

Guys. Bast grows an absurd winter coat. Seriously. His winter fluff could give a pony a run for its money. Until the end of December, it was cold enough in Maryland to ride him in the other barn's outdoor without making him too wet.

Unfortunately, we're now in that weird part of Mid-Atlantic winter where nights hover around freezing, but days can average in the 50s. This meant rides in the evenings were too warm for the ridiculous insulated parka Bast felt it necessary to sprout this year. The move to the new barn has meant access to the amazing indoor arena, where the temperatures are much warmer. This made for a very sweaty pony, and late nights waiting for him to dry enough to put away.

Seriously. No one wants to wait for this soaking fur blanket to dry.

I knew I'd need to clip him soon. So, I scheduled a hot Saturday date with my boy and his hairy pony body. Unfortunately when I got there, I realized my clippers were still in a box at the other barn. Ugh. Plus, when I peeked at my horse he was coated on both sides with thick dried mud. Insert bath time.

He was so muddy the water ran red with mud for at least 30 minutes.

While he dried I ran to get my clippers. Anyone else feel like owning horses is a constant stream of driving from place to place to assemble all the things you need to do a task? Cause I do...

Now equipped with a set of new clipper blades and my clippers, I set to work.

Behold the svelte beneath the fluff.

From the first swipe, I knew I was in for a real hair-fest. This thick thelwell-style coat almost compares to the ridiculous coat Jen's welsh cob Connor grows. I think his fur even made my huskies jealous!

Dude. You're a TB, not a Thelwell.

I have no idea why my thoroughbred grows such a ridiculous coat, but I was so happy to see it go away. Not as happy as Bast's excellent clipping manners made me, however. After years of having to drug and twitch Pig to clip him, having a horse who stands with his head buried in the hay cart while I clip absolutely makes my day.

The best boy!

I very nearly shaved Bast's legs, but decided to leave them for now. The silly hair shelf formed by his thick furred hind legs makes me giggle, but I might end up shaving it off come March. It looks rather silly, and the shedding will make me crazy.

All done!

After clipping off that insane hair blanket, it became much easier to evaluate Bast's condition. I'm a bit disappointed with how he looks right now. Stress made him break out in mild fungus on both sides of his shoulders/neck. Plus he lost some weight with the move, on top of being a bit thin before we left. He definitely needs more weight and muscle, which we are already addressing with the feeding and riding programming at the new barn.

Fingers crossed this boy looks more filled out and glossy in a couple of months! For now, I can't say I'm too disappointed in him. He's still awfully handsome under all that hair.

I mean. I'd buy him again. Wouldn't you?