How often should you bathe your horse? Should you wash them when it is cold – or even hot – outside? Today’s post will explore the pros and cons when it comes to bathing your horse.

If you are a horse owner, you have probably had (many) conversations about proper bathing for your horse and with each question comes a variety of – even conflicting – answers. Is bathing good for their skin or does it dry it out? Should you use warm or cold water when bathing in the summer heat? When is regular bathing too much?

This post focuses on the information necessary to make the best decision for the equine in your life.

To Bathe or Not to Bathe?

If you have a horse that regularly shows or competes, you will likely bathe them more frequently, so they look their best in the show ring. If your horse does not compete, bathing requirements will be different.

Horse Being Hosed Down with WaterOpinions on the frequency of bathing horses range from a few times a year to monthly, weekly, only when the horse is dirty and evennever!” Regardless, never place tack on a dirty horse for their overall well-being and comfort! Dirt, debris and even dried sweat under a saddle and girth will create potential chafing, itching, fungus and infections.

While there is no definitive rule about how often to bathe your horse, it IS critical to make sure the natural oils in your horse’s coat and skin are not stripped away with over-bathing. Bathing your horse too often will leave the coat dry and flaky and the unprotected skin prone to infections.

Grooming your horse regularly will help reduce the need for frequent bathing. Also, spot cleaning (especially in the presence of infections like rain scald/rot or scratches), shampoo-less rinses and even just clear, cleanWoman Washing Horse's Head water can be done more frequently with fewer negative side effects.

Horse Bathing:  Shampoos

If you decide to bathe your horse more frequently, use a gentler, hypoallergenic shampoo. (It is also better for a horse with sensitive skin.)

Note: Blue shampoos for making coats whiter are harsher.

Also, allow plenty of thorough rinsing to remove all shampoo residue from the coat and skin to avoid unnecessary irritation.

Horse Bathing: Drying

Horse Rolling in DirtWarm and sunny days are perfect for letting your horse dry naturally. Use a sweat scraper to remove/whisk away as much water as possible before thoroughly drying the entire body. (See EquiGroomer “WaterWisk” scraper/squeegee tool here.) Then cover with a clean sweat sheet in case your clean horse decides to enjoy an enthusiastic roll on the ground!

If you must bathe your horse during colder weather, make sure you have access to warm water and a well-protected area, so your horse remains warm. After drying your horse as much as possible, make sure to blanket them to ward off any chills.  Anytime a horse gets chilled from cold temperatures and drafts, their resistance to infections and respiratory diseases is greatly reduced.

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, it is the horse owner who decides on what is best forWoman Petting Horse's Head their horse, health, overall well-being and ultimately comfort. Maintaining a horse’s optimal health – including bathing – is different for each equine.

Unsure about how often to bathe your horse? Talk to other experienced horse owners as well as your vet. Also closely monitor your horse after each bathing and then proactively adjust the frequency and products for the best outcome!


EquiGroomer's WaterWish and Pet SqueegeeOur EquiGroomer tools make bathing and grooming your horse easier, stress-free AND pain-free!

Order individual EquiGroomer tools or professional kits for your pet shop, tack shop or barn, by calling 860-573-0604, an email or visiting our website today!


  

Additional Reading:

Horse Illustrated: 5 Tips for Bathing Your Horse

EquiMed: Bathing Your Horse

Saddle Box: How Often Should You Bathe Your Horse?

Pro Equine Grooms: How Often Should You Bathe Your Horse?

Equus: How to Bathe a Horse Like a Pro

Image Credits (In Order of Appearance):

Christels from Pixabay 

A_Different_Perspective from Pixabay 

Christels from Pixabay 

Pezibear from Pixabay 

Dids from Pexels

Product Image Courtesy of EquiGroomer

Regular pet grooming is a wonderful and natural experience that not only cares for their coat but also serves as a powerful bonding experience between you and your pet.

Grooming is so much more than a show-worthy coat.

Brush Your Horse With EquiGroomer

Our canines, felines, equines, rabbits (and other pets) depend upon us for their best possible life. A vital part of caring for their overall health includes regular pet grooming to maintain their overall comfort with healthy skin, a shiny and soft coat and new hair growth between bathing.


The Essentials of Grooming: Brushing

“One of the first indications that all is not well inside is a change of hair coat and skin. Also check for lumps, bumps, and overall body condition.” (Bernadine Cruz, DVM)

Brushing your pet’s coat several times a week or more offers many physical and mental benefits.

  1. Proper and consistent brushing helps cut down on Rabbits Need Regular Brushinghairballs for cats (as well as rabbits and yes, even some dogs!).
  2. Did you know that a kitty’s skin is much thinner and more sensitive to tangles and mats? In fact, out-of-control mats can hinder your cat from properly resting or even lying down in some positions without discomfort and pain. (A rabbit’s skin is also quite sensitive and fragile.)
  3. Brushing removes loose hair, dust, mud, dirt and dander.
  4. Brushing helps reduce shedding.
  5. Brushing helps distribute essential natural skin oils throughout the pet’s coat.
  6. Brushing your horse before riding will remove any grit that could cause saddle or girth sores.
  7. Brushing offers the opportunity to catch potential health issues early which may help save on costly vet visits for:
    • Skin issues including infections, irritations and/or inflammationsEven Cats Love the EquiGroomer
    • Lumps and bumps
    • Injuries
    • Matted and/or tangled hair
    • Burrs
    • Ticks, Mites, Fleas and “flea dirt” (aka flea poop)
  8. Removing old hair keeps your dog cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter with a new insulating undercoat.
  9. Brushing helps reduce human allergies to dander.
  10. Brushing relaxes both you and your pet with this wonderful bonding routine. It also helps reduce stress (yours and theirs).


Brushing Different Types of Coats

Double-Coats:

  • Breeds:  Akita, Alaskan and Siberian Husky, Malamute, American Eskimo, Chow, Collies, Keeshonden, Beagles, Korean Jindo,Groom Your K9 With EquiGroomer Pomeranian, Corgi, Puli, Leonberger, Golden Retriever and Shiba Inu
  • Beneath the top layer of long hair is a soft downy undercoat that acts as insulation in cold and hot months.
  • The down undercoat can mat and tangle if not regularly maintained. An unmanaged undercoat can also cause your dog to overheat.

Silky-Coats:

  • Breeds: Afghan Hounds, Yorkies, Setters, Cockers, Pekingese and Maltese
  • Tangles and mats in these breeds are common without constant brushing.

Curly & Wiry Coats:

  • Breeds: Schnauzer, Dachshund, Poodle, Bichon and Terrier
  • These coats require regular brushing to stop mats from developing.
  • Coats need to be hand-stripped twice a year or regularly clipped.

Shorthaired Coats:

  • Breeds: American Foxhound, Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Terrier, Basset Hound, Basenji, Coonhound, Bloodhound, Lab and Pug
  • Coats require weekly grooming to keep the skin and coat in its optimum condition.

Dogs Love Being Groomed by the EquiGroomerRegular brushing is essential to your pet’s overall hygiene, health, comfort and happiness.

Also, finding and using the right tool, like the EquiGroomer products, will help make the experience easier, gentler and stress-free for both you and your pet!


EquiGroomer, A Grooming Tool for Horses, Dogs, Cats, Other Pets and Livestock!

EquiGroomer Products

 More than a shedding blade, it gently grabs dead, loose & shedding hair by the ends.

Which means NO pulling, discomfort or damage to your pet’s topcoat or skin!


Try These Grooming Tools:

EquiGroomer Groomer's 10-piece kit

EquiGroomer (In 5-inch and 9-inch sizes)

WaterWisk Pet Squeegee/Sweat Scraper (In 5-inch and 7-inch sizes)

For individual or bulk orders, call 860-573-0604 or click here to send us an email.


Additional Reading:

Pet Care: Why Grooming is Important

Why Grooming Your Dog Is Great for His Health

7 Reasons Why You Should Brush Your Dog’s Coat on a Regular Basis

How to Groom a Rabbit (Complete Brushing Guide)

How to Groom Your Horse

5 Ways to Save on Vet Costs

 

Image Credits:

All images are the courtesy of EquiGroomer.

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