How Often Should You Bathe a Horse?

You’ve come from a long ride, and you might be wondering how often you should wash a horse. Soap and washing are often seen in the wash rack. Sometimes it is only for special occasions such as a show, but often it is because the horse has worked hard and needs a cool down and cleaning. Long runs tend to accumulate mud and grass. So, it truly comes down to personal preference on how often a horse is washed. Racing stables often wash horses after every run, but jumpers and personal horses used for a casual ride may only need to be bathed once a week. Deciding on how often you bathe a horse comes down to what is best for their coat.

The Effect of Shampoo on a Horse’s Skin

When you are shampooing a horse, the product will remove oils from its coat. While this makes them appear glossy and sleek, it may not always be the best thing for their coat. Shampooing a horse is less about cleanliness than you might imagine. It can be used to remove visible dirt and help with any conditions of the skin. However, a simple shower with water might be easier on the animal’s skin and coat.

Factors to Consider When Washing a Horse

• Weather – Unfortunately, long periods of wet or very humid weather can have an adverse effect on a horse’s skin. During these periods, they can develop bacterial infections or fungus due to damp conditions. If a horse needs to be washed, ensure that they are carefully dried by using a rubber squeegee and carefully toweling them off. A sweat scraper will not remove the water where it tends to pool in the fetlocks.
• Weekly Bath – A weekly bath is recommended. An antimicrobial shampoo is the best, particularly on wet days. Again, complete drying will keep the animal’s skin healthy without drying out its coat.
• Enjoyment – The horse should enjoy the experience of taking a bath. This means ensuring that you care gently and carefully so that they feel their best.

How to Wash a Horse

Before you get started, make sure that you have everything you need at hand. This includes towels, soap, water, and brushes. Sponges are also helpful to have so that the coat can be dampened before any soap is applied. Also, check the temperature of the water so that it is not too hot or too cold.

Using the Shampoo

Before applying the shampoo, work it into a lather first. Directly applying shampoo to your horse’s skin could cause irritation and make them uncomfortable. It can also cause irritation to the skin. It’s better to apply the soap lather and gently work it around. You’ll also have to spend time making sure that the animal is completely rinsed off. Shampoo residue can cause skin irritation. If you are using conditioner, this can also help a horse’s coat but again ensure that it is completely rinsed off before drying the horse off.

How to Dry a Horse After Bath

Weekly bathing is important to a routine part of a horse’s health. Dry them off completely with towels so that they don’t experience any skin irritation. Work over their whole body but make sure that you also dry the fetlocks and ears where water tends to accumulate. Some stables will also use a fan to help animals completely dry off. If the animal is not very active, it may only need a bath every two to four weeks. If they are very active, baths will be needed more often to clean off sweat and mud. Just ensure that the water is warm and not too hot. Use the appropriate soap and horse grooming brushes to care for them.

Curry on a Stik is the perfect tool to care for your horse’s skin. It not only helps care for their coat but also provides a massaging action that can help relieve sore muscles and pain. Its ergonomic long handle means that people with hand issues or even kids can effectively clean and massage their horse's. As a massaging brush for animals, it is also an effective de-shedding brush. As a massage tool, it can be used during a horse’s bath to work out any knots and gently, and safely work muscles.

While most riders won’t need to bathe their horse every day, there are some situations where it becomes more important to have frequent baths. Using the right tools, such as Curry on a Stik, using microbial soap, and going through the process simply will make your horse feel better and healthier. While you may have located the right soap, and have towels and sponges handy, make sure that you also have the right tools to take care of your horse.

Finally, we recommend Corakko Skin Care Formula/Shampoo with Copper NANO technology. It's gentle enough to use every day and won't dry out your horse's skin, and it leaves their coats shinny. Other ingrediencies include raw honey, coptis (an ancient Chinese herb), and also an indigenous flower and bark from Chile.

Get your Corakko shampoo today, or contact us if you have any questions!