“Bitz” on a Budget Vol. 2
The Pampered Pony
With all the stress a lot of us are feeling these days, we’d like to take this moment to say “pamper you and your pony” by offering a little stress relief tip: Enjoy a day at the “barn spa!” With a little imagination, you and your beloved companion can enjoy a little pampering without spending a lot. Here are a few suggestions to help you and your four-legged partner enjoy a relaxing barnyard experience.
- Bathe your horse with a luxurious, fragrant shampoo. You can even save money by making your own mane and tail detangler. All you’ll need is some Calgon bath oil beads and water. Mix one part Calgon to 3 parts water in a spray bottle. Spray mane and tail to help recondition. Remember to make sure the area you are working in is slip free. Try using rubber stall mats in the wash area to provide good footing for you and your horse.
- For you: Buy some deep conditioner. After shampooing, apply the deep conditioner to hair and wrap with a towel. Then sit in your most comfortable chair in the breezeway aisle and enjoy reading your favorite magazine while your hair soaks up the nourishing treatment. Both you and your horse will look and feel great!
- Now that we smell better, let’s make those muscles feel relaxed with a little rub down. You can make your own liniment for your horse with just a few ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
o 2 pints clear alcohol
o 2 pints wintergreen alcohol
o 2 pints witch hazel
o 1/2 bottle store-bought equine liniments
- Pour all ingredients into a clean gallon container. Rub onto horse’s legs. Airtight containers work best for storing the unused portion in your tack room!
- For you: Check local listings for a massage training school. You can get a good massage for a fraction of the cost of going to a day spa.
- Lastly, don’t forget those hard-working feet. Again, you can make your own homemade hoof care ointment. Just mix 1 gallon of lanolin and 1 gallon of pine tar into a large container. With your horse standing in cross ties, apply to hooves up to twice daily.
- For you: Soak your feet in a container with warm water using your Calgon bath oil beads and a little Epson salt for an energizing treat.