How to Wash a Horse

Washing a horse helps keep its coat clean.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Garden Hoses
• Sponges
• 8-foot Lead Rope
• Halter
• Horse Shampoo
• Sweat Scrapers
• Sponges

1. Put your horse in a halter.

2. Tie the lead rope to a railing near a water hose.

3. Use a gentle spray of water. It's easiest to use a hose with an adjustable nozzle.

4. Start at your horse's hooves and work your way up his legs.

5. Wash his body from the belly up.

6. Hold the lead rope and with a light mist gently wash off your horse's face. Most horses don't like this and may fuss.

7. Hose your horse's neck, including under the mane, and continue down the neck to the tail.

8. Pull the horse's tail away and wash underneath.

9. Use a big, soft sponge and gentle shampoo if you want a more thorough wash. Do not put shampoo on the horse's face.

10. Rinse entire horse with a gentle spray.

11. Use a sweat scraper or the side of your hand to wipe away excess water.

12. Let the horse dry thoroughly before putting him back in his stall.

13. Apply fly repellant once the horse is dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Horses that are wet like to roll, so tie them up or let them graze in a grass pasture (with no mud) until they dry.
• Be prepared to get wet!
• Washing horses on concrete can be dangerous. Wet concrete is slippery and can cause severe harm to a horse if he falls.
• Never wash a horse if the temperature us below 65 to 70 degrees F.

[Redhorse]

on 3/25/2007 As for putting cooking spray in your horses hooves to keep the snow out...BE CAREFUL!!! This can cause your horse to become unstable on certain surfaces! If you are going to be on dirt only, I suppose it is okay. Just make sure that if you are going to come into a barn that has a cement floors.

on 8/8/2006 Unlike previous tips stating that you shouldn't start with the legs because all the dirt washes down them, it is sometimes vital to start with the legs. Some horses spook badly at being washed, and starting with the legs ensures that they stay calm.

on 8/8/2006 Once you have shampooed your horse, be sure to rinse him off completely. If there is any shampoo left on him, his skin will dry out and get itchy and irritated. A good way to make sure that all of the soap is out is to watch the water that is running off of the horse. If it is cloudy, then keep rinsing. If not, then run your hand firmly on your horse in the direction of the hair. If it makes a squeaky sound, then all of the soap is off. I usually rinse one more time to be sure.

on 8/7/2006 Do not leave any shampoo on the horse's coat. This could cause irritation, which would in turn cause the horse to scratch or rub it's hair off.

on 7/29/2006 Don't forget to buy a good conditioner from a equine shop, it will leave your horse's tail and mane easy to brush and plait. Shampoos dry out your horse's mane and tail.