Bathing Your Horse

Sometimes your Horse will be sweaty after exercise or muddy coming in from the field and will need a bath. Only bathe your Horse when it is warm enough. In Winter or on very cold Spring or Fall days, don't bathe your Horse. If it is cold for you then it is cold for them. This chill and inability to quickly warm up could make them sick. Healthy as a Horse is only a saying.

A bath is good practice to eliminate any mud, dirt or sweat from your Horse's coat. This is also a bonding time with them and will give you a chance to do a good check-over for any unusual lumps, bumps or injuries.

During the winter months, it is the easiest way to get your muddy Horse clean, and in the summer, it will also help your Horse cool down after a long ride or harsh heat in their pasture.

If you learn how to properly bathe your Horse, it won't take long, and it won't be stressful for you or your Horse.

Make sure you have everything needed before you start the bath.

Your bathing Bucket kit should include:

Keep in mind during washing to avoid your Horse’s ears, eyes, nose, and mouth with the shampoo and conditioner.

[Many run-of-the-mill shampoos and conditioners are sodium based and will burn sensitive areas]

The best way to bathe your Horse is to hose off the legs first and then move up to the shoulder, body and flanks. Then rinse their neck and around their face before finishing with their tail. Some Horses fear water, so make sure you are using low to no pressure, to gently help them get used to it.

You will need to use a sponge when washing your Horse’s face. Most Horses don’t like having water sprayed or poured on their face.

Pour shampoo onto the sponge or into your hands.

[Remember to talk to your Horse in an assuring voice and tone. This should be or become an event your Horse will look forward to.]

Starting on one side of the neck use the soap filled sponge or your hands to lather your Horse's, neck and chest. Go over this area in a circular motion with the curry comb, this will help lather the shampoo and lift the dirt out of their coat. Continue with the same two steps as you proceed down the side of your Horse. Neck to shoulder, then the back and side, flank and tail.

[Keep talking and praising you Horse.]

Once you’ve completed lathering down the side of your Horse, rinse your Horse thoroughly in the same direction, neck, chest shoulder, back, side and flank. Point the hose down their neck towards the shoulders, and rinse off the shampoo. You can also use the curry comb or hand to brush over your Horse to get all of the shampoo out.

Rinse slowly to keep the Shampoo and dirt moving down your Horse from neck to tail and off. You may need to repeat rinsing until all of the Shampoo has left your Horse's coat.

With one side, washed and completely rinsed, move to the other side of your Horse and repeat the same steps.

If your Horse has had a day of fun in the mud spa you may need to repeat the washing process a couple of times

With both sides of your Horse washed, using your hands, wash your Horse's, mane and tail. The best way to clean the mane and tail is with your own hands. Put shampoo in your palms and work it into their tail or mane like you would washing your own hair. When each are lathered nicely and clean, rinse them thoroughly.

[At this time you should rinse the entire horse again.]

Now you need to wash the chest between the front legs, underbelly and in between the back legs. Be sure to rinse thoroughly.

[And, once again, completely rinse your Horse's full body from head to tail.]

Now move down and wash the legs.  Once they’re all scrubbed, clean and rinse thoroughly.

Give your Horse an additional thorough rinse to remove any residual shampoo. Check underneath your Horse to confirm there is no soap left on their stomach. Rub your Horse’s mane and tail with your hands as water runs through to make sure no shampoo gets trapped. The legs should always be the last part to rinse off and make sure they are clean.

[You can never rinse your Horse too much.]

Always make plenty of time after you have bathed your Horse for them to dry off. To dry your Horse, use a sweat scraper to get rid of all access water. If your Horse has a long coat or you feel a chill in the air, rub your Horse with a dry towels across their body and legs. Then you can either hand walk them until they are completely dry, or turn them into a sunny paddock, making sure it is not too dry, dusty or muddy!

Be aware at any given opportunity your Horse is going to roll.

Yes you just did all of this work and your Horse wants to be sure you still have a sense of humor.