Ready to give your horse a summer bath? Try the following tips for a smooth and easy experience.
- Have a friend hold onto your horse, as opposed to tying him up, especially if this is a new experience for him.
- Allow your horse to become comfortable with the sound of the hose before using it on him. Use a very gentle spray and start with his feet and legs to get him comfortable before moving up to the body. Always aim the spray away from your horse’s head.
- Once the neck and body are wet, you can use a brush or grooming mitt to work the shampoo into a lather. Make sure to generate lots of suds and don’t be afraid to rinse and lather again if your horse is really dirty.
- When rinsing, start at the neck and work your way down the body and legs. Be sure to keep rinsing until the soap disappears because any that is left may cause his skin to dry out and his coat to dull.
- Use a sweat scraper to remove excess water before towel drying. You might wish to walk your horse dry at this point or throw a light cooler on him and put him back in his stall.
- When bathing tails, remember to hold the tail to the side of the horse. Use a bucket to soak the tail, shampoo, and finally rinse. You might wish to use a conditioning product to make the tail easier to comb out afterwards. Be cautious of being kicked, or smacked with a wet tail.
- Wash your horse’s head and face carefully with a damp sponge to avoid running soap and water into his eyes.
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