Bath Time Ц Hints and Tips for Washing your Horse

Articles on Horses | Topics: horses, horse, equestrian

by Vigilia Irwin

When it comes to your horse, you probably know that grooming him or her is not always a piece of cake. It can take a long time to get the desired grooming results. Not only do you need to know what works and what doesn't, but you also have to create a trusting relationship with your animal and know what works best for them specifically. While many things may work for other horses, there are some horses that need extra special grooming care. Take a look at this information to help you with your horse grooming.

Chances are if you own a horse, you already know how to groom him or her. However, if you are a beginner, you may not know where to start. The best way to start your bathing ritual is with a pre-bath enhancer. You can create your own using vinegar and olive oil. Just mix the two equal parts together for a natural coat soak. You can sponge it onto your horse, all over, and leave it for up to three days. This does require a little planning ahead, so you may not always be able to get this step in.

Next, you should always apply a little petroleum jelly to your horse's hooves before using water. Water is very damaging to hooves and can cause them to dry out and crack which can create a lot of problems. If you are going to sand your horse's hooves, don't apply the jelly.

Next, you should prepare your shampoo mixture. If your horse has sensitive skin, consider using a baby shampoo. Otherwise, you can use a horse shampoo you get at your local pet supply store. You should always dilute the shampoo, no matter what the bottle says. If you want to bring out more of your horse's natural color, try a color enhancing shampoo for horses. They are a great way to get your horse's coat to look brilliant.

Keep in mind that if you plan on braiding your horse's mane, you should not shampoo or condition it. You can get it wet and use hair gel after bathing. However, if you shampoo or condition it, you will have a really hard time braiding it.

There may be some areas of your horse that you are a little hesitant about washing, however you should be sure to always clean under the tail and between the legs well. If you are afraid of getting too close to your horse, you may want someone there to help you out. Remember however, the more afraid you are, the more nervous your horse will get from sensing your anxiety. They are amazing animals and can tell when you are anxious about something.

One trick you can use is hot oil. If your horse's tail is dry and brittle, you can use a hot oil treatment on it. Use one that is intended for humans and you will see instant results. You can do this just for fun or before a show for extra beauty.

аQuote of the Day

For all symbols are fluxional; all language is vehicular and transitive, and is good, as ferries and horses are, for conveyance, not as farms and houses are, for homestead.

—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

When it is time to rinse your horse, you can add a little apple vinegar to your rinsing water. You can really get the shampoo off with this mixture. Another great reason to use apple vinegar in your rinse is because it repels flies, which will help your horse stay comfortable.

Before your horse dries, you should remember to apply a sheen product to the tail area and the body. You should not apply it to the saddle area, girth, or the mane however. You can use a small cloth to get your horse's face. If you don't have a sheen product made specifically for horses, you can always use a little baby oil in your rinsing water instead.

To finish your bathing process, you should take a steel wool cloth and lightly get the dirt off of your horse's hoofs. Saddle soap and neatsfoot oil is a great way to take care of cracking hooves. Some horse owners even use bacon grease for a remedy.

As you can see, bathing a horse is quite a lengthy process. It is not something that you can't do however. Anyone can bathe a horse with a little practice and knowledge of horse bathing. So, use these general tips to help you and get to work bathing your horse!

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Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the "Bath Time Ц Hints and Tips for Washing your Horse" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by DogsPetsCats.com.

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