I recently acquired a used pony carousel & had it “cut to size” – it was built for larger horses.  Every day (that it’s not too hot out), I work the minis on it along with Madigan, the miniature donkey.  She loves to be ridden and most kids are excited about riding a donkey!

The important thing I learned is to train a “lead” pony – one that will take control and will drive the wheel for the others to just follow.  I think Buddy will make a great lead pony and I’m working with him every day.

I might be set up at the Rhea County Fair on September 7th & 11.  If I do set up, I’ll have a special treat for the kids.  This morning I bathed Coquette – who probably had never been washed in her life!  She did very well and I managed to keep her under control providing I had treats to occupy her mind.

It’s amazing how white & soft she turned out to be!  As a special effect, I dyed her tail pink!  I planned on doing her mane also but the weather didn’t cooperate.

Later on I bathed Buddy – he gave me a little bit of a harder time but we managed to get him nice and shiny.

Just as I was getting finished, we got hit by a huge storm!  In seconds I was wetter than Buddy!  We ran to the tool shed and stayed under cover for a bit – the rain didn’t bother Buddy at all… it was bothering me!

I managed to get his mane & tail untangled and nicely combed – he looks like a different horse!

All this time Old Blue was hanging around looking at me as if asking, “Am I next?”  I get around to her tomorrow!

Once I have every one shiny clean (it doesn’t last… Coquette rolled in the dirt before I had the gate locked behind her), we’ll work on the carousel!

I think bathing horses is a weekly chore if you want to show clean animals!

While on the subject of my mini horses, I’ve decided to try and sell Toffee & Buttons.  If Buttons sells first, I may end up keeping Toffee – she still has a good 18 months before I can use her as a carousel pony but I think she may turn out to be a good driving pony.  We’ll see what happens!