Keeping a horse clean is a huge task on its own. Getting into a daily routine of basic cleanliness combined with a weekly bath and grooming session can go a long way towards your horse not only looking his best, but preventing permanent staining on grey coats and fending off minor health issues. Even if you already know how to clean your grey horse, the following steps will also help you to examine your horse on a regular basis for signs of injury.
If your horse suffers from skin conditions, using medicated shampoos is also a good way of caring for the problem in a gentle way. Think of this time with your horse as more of a bonding experience than a job that needs to be done.
Step 1: The Pre-Bath Brushing
Get rid of all loose dirt and surface dandruff with a thorough pre-bath brush. A good tip is to use a new or clean headcollar during bathing to prevent grease and dirt transfer from their regular headcollar onto your horse’s face.
Step 2: Wash Your Horse From Head to Hoof
If your stable isn’t equipped with a horse shower, boil water and mix it with cold water for a nice, warm bucketful. Using a large sponge, start at the neck and work your way through the mane, across the body and down the tail last, as it may require several cleansing strokes. Don’t be stingy; a thorough soaking does the coat good.
Step 3: A Detailed Facial
Consider switching to a smaller sponge when cleansing your horse’s face to really get into the crevices. Get behind the ears, under the jaw, around the nostrils, and even under the forelock! Dandruff and browband stains like to hide out under the forelock plait, so this is especially crucial.
Step 4: Build a Lather
Lather up your horse. Massage the shampoo deep into the roots of your horse’s coat and mane. Putting the shampoo on the sponge first can increase the amount of lather you get for a deeper clean.
Step 5: It’s All in the Rinse
Use warm water to rinse ALL of the soapy residue off and comb through excess water to reduce drying time. Scraping the water off will also alert you if there’s any shampoo left to rinse out.
Finish off with a wool horse rug to prevent your horse from catching a chill after his nice, warm bath. These need to be swapped out as well to avoid moisture build-up if used regularly enough.
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