Getting your horse ready for a show is no easy task. Horses love to roll in the dirt and cleaning a 544 kg animal is no walk in the park. Here are a few tips to help make cleaning your horse a little less challenging and show preparation no longer a dreaded task.
Before you start the bathing process, you need to make sure that you have all the necessary supplies.
Supplies Needed:
- Portable Tankless
Water Heater
- Using a portable tankless water heater to bathe your horse will be a game changer. With a short installation time of 15 minutes, you will have hot water on demand in no time at all. Weighing in at only 7 kg, transport your lightweight portable tankless water heater anywhere…incusing the pasture or stable where your horse is located. Keeping your horse comfortable during the bathing process will help the process go smoothly for you, so having warm water available so quickly will help your horse stay relaxed throughout the process.
- Hose with Adjustable nozzle
- Using the convenient chrome shower head attachment for easy rinsing and washing. Control your hot water flow with ease with the easy handheld features.
- A Tub to Hold Water
- You cannot wash anything without water! Make sure you have a large tub handy to keep your soapy water available.
- Stepstool
- Let’s face it, horses are large animals and to make sure that you clean every part of them, you’re going to need a step stool or a small ladder. Make sure that you have your step stool handy before you start the bathing process.
- Equine Shampoo
- Humans needs different shampoos based on their needs and specific hair types, and so do horses. Using a specific equine shampoo will help prevent any allergic reactions that scented normal shampoos may cause.
- Towels for Drying
- When you get out of the shower you need a towel to dry off and so do your horses. To help their hair dry off quicker.
- Sponges
- Having 3-4 sponges is a good rule of thumb. This means one for the body, one for under the tail, one for rinsing, and one for drying the legs and other areas.
While bathing your horse, rinsing the soap off is just as important as applying the soap with the sponge. Leaving soap on their body can lead to irritation for your horse. Make sure to move the tail out of the way to cleanse the inside of their back legs ensuring that you are not leaving any soap behind.
An important thing to remember when washing your horse is to never get water on their face. To help your horse become more accustomed to the water hitting their face, focus on washing the head last. If their body has acclimated to the temperature of the water, it will be easier for them to adjust to the water on their face. When it comes time to wash the horses face, gentle wipe the sponge that has been dipped in warm, fresh water and carefully wipe the entire face. Before placing the sponge on the horse’s face, make sure to ring out excess water to prevent dripping into your horse’s eyes. Always avoid the eyes when washing the head.
Now for the important part…the mane and tail. Taking proper care of your horse’s mane and tail keeps them looking healthy and beautiful. Using a conditioner is a simple way to keep those areas tangle free and soft.
Not sure how often you should bathe your horse? Consider the following events/ time periods for recommended grooming times:
- At the end of spring when your horse has finished their spring shed. This will help remove any loose hair or dirt that has built up under the winter coat.
- If your horse has gotten into some thick mud and is now caked in dry dirt.
- Preparing for an event is the most obvious time for a bath. Make sure your horse is looking it is best for a show or parade with a quick bath.
- After your horse has had a touch workout. This could remove grime and sweat from under tack.
Apart from these special circumstances, your horse can stay happy and clean with daily grooming and rinse after any exercise. During the cold winter days, having hot water for your daily maintenance can help keep your horse comfortable throughout the grooming process.
For more information on portable tankless water heaters and how they can help with your equestrian needs, visit our website here.