We’ve all debated how often a horse should be bathed. Have you ever give much thought as to how to do it? Much is written about the process of actually washing your horse and, if done wrong, how it could be a disservice to him in a variety of ways. Let’s take a look at the proper ways to correctly bathe your pride and joy.
Preparation is key
Think about how some kids simply don’t enjoy baths. In those parents’ worlds, speed is the name of the game. It may not be much different for your horse, so you’ll want to have all your tools ready to go when it comes time to bathe. That may minimize any angst he could have about the whole process. Gather everything you need and consider the basics – a hose, tub of water, buckets, sponges, shampoo, towels, step ladder, lotion, and so on. If you can summon a friend to help, that’ll make the effort even speedier.
Wetting down and shampooing
It may be a good idea to paint the walls, soles and heels of the horse with ointment first. This will help to seal and protect them from absorbing water, which can ultimately turn feet brittle and lessen the structural integrity of the hooves. Once you wet him all over, work up from the feet and legs upward, always keeping the spray away from his head. If you don’t have a hose, you can sponge him. Next use plenty of shampoo or cleaning agent to scrub his hair. You’ll want to get everywhere, including the tail. If he has thick hair, you may want to go both with the hair and against in order to get it down to the skin.
The rinse-down
A good rinse is important. Instead of just hosing or sponging once, you might want to use a scraper to remove the excess soapy water and moisture. Continue this until there’s no more soapy residue. Keep an eye on the back, where residue can cause irritation under the saddle, and the stomach where soapy water tends to collect after running down the flanks. Give the legs a good look, too, to make sure they’re dirt-free. Also go along the mane, down his sides and neck, using the scraper so it goes in the direction of the hair growth. Use the towel on his legs and comb the mane.
Keep an eye on his behavior
Some horses simply don’t like baths. It may be the issue of water in the faces, or just the overall amount of water with which they’re not comfortable. If so, you may need to adjust your expectations or simplify the process. Always use common sense and watch his body language.
