How to clean your horse

It is important to wash your horse properly to keep its coat healthy. It allows you to identify skin or other issues and helps you bond with your horse. Keep in mind while you are washing your horse to avoid standing in back of it as much as possible, especially while washing its tail.

What you’ll need to clean your horse:

• sweat scraper
• body brush
• curry comb
• mane comb
• towels
• two sponges
• bucket
• sheath cleaner
• shampoo (you can also use a bug repellent shampoo as needed)

Optional

• grooming gloves
• conditioner

How to wash your horse

1. Make sure all the items you need are clean, especially your brushes.
2. Choose a nice warm day, so that your horse won’t catch a chill.
3. Find a spot with access to water and a place to secure your horse. Make sure to use a quick-release knot.
4. Groom your horse before washing it, including the mane and tail.
5. Use a sponge to gently clean your horse’s face. Do not use shampoo and clean in the direction of the hair. 
6. Wet your horse. If you aren’t sure of how your horse is going to react, start with the hooves and move your way up. Your horse may prefer a sponge instead of the spray from the hose. Take the time to figure this part out and get your horse comfortable with either option.
7. Clean your horse’s genitals. Use a clean sponge and gently wipe and clean your horse’s anus and genitals. Remove any stuck-on debris with a sheath cleaner.
8. Work the shampoo into your horse’s coat with a grooming glove or sponge. You may need to do this in sections to avoid leaving the shampoo dry on your horse’s fur. This will dry it out. 
9. Rinse the horse either with a clean sponge or hose until the water runs clear and there is no shampoo left. 
10. Scrap off the water from your horse and use towels to dry it off. Walk it in the sun for 10 minutes or, if it is cloudy, use a cooler. 
11. Comb your horse’s mane with your fingers first and then the comb and use a detangler as needed. 
12. Wash your horse’s tail in a bucket with shampoo. Swish the tail around in the bucket. Use a sponge to clean the dock and the top of the tail. Rinse until the water runs clean and there’s no shampoo left.

How often should you clean your horse

It is possible to wash your horse too often. If your horse lives mostly outside, washing your horse once a month is enough. If you need to wash your horse more often due to shows, consider stabling as washing too often will strip your horse’s coat from its natural defences against the weather.

Enjoy the grooming time!

Ready to wash? Check out our grooming products!

Grooming

Check out these horse grooming supplies such as gloves, brushes, and products to keep your horse’s skin and coat looking and feeling amazing. Grooming gloves, shampoos and conditioners to bathe your horse. Special brushes to massage and clean your horse.

Do you have a horse? Whether it’s for riding, breeding or just being the cool ranch roommate that never leaves your side – horses can be really expensive. That’s why we’ve rounded up all sorts of horse grooming supplies so they stay looking their best and feeling good on top of doing what humans tell them! Check out these great products; every equine deserves some love!

Shop now