Before we get into how to properly wash horses and do something good for them, we first want to share some important information about horse skin. The skin is not only the largest organ of the horse but also one of the most important. It stores about one-third of the blood and plays a crucial role in the animal’s well-being. Special care is needed for areas with light-colored hair, as these spots are more prone to skin diseases like mud fever.
The basic function of the skin is to protect the body’s interior. By regularly removing dirt from the coat, you already contribute to this protection, but it’s important to treat your horse’s skin with special care.
Horses love to roll in the pasture. This is not only a natural behavior but also serves skin and coat care. Rolling helps relieve tension, promote blood circulation, and massage the muscles.
When should you wash or hose down your horse?
Basically, you shouldn’t wash your horse too often to avoid impairing the skin’s natural protection. However, hosing down is a welcome refreshment during very hot temperatures or after sweaty training sessions. Here are some situations when it makes sense:
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After training: If your horse has sweated heavily, hosing down helps remove excess sweat and dirt and lowers body temperature.
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On hot days: A cool-down in between can work wonders and protect your horse from overheating.
- With heavily soiled coat: If your horse has fully enjoyed the day in the pasture, rolling is naturally part of it, but unfortunately, horses often choose the muddiest spots. To get the dirt out of the coat again, sometimes you need to grab the hose and shampoo.
How to cool your horse down properly
Especially on hot summer days, you want to do something good for your four-legged friend and hose them down with cold water. However, this is only pleasant for horses if done correctly. To avoid unpleasant situations, you should think in advance about the possible health consequences of an ice-cold shower. Your horse could suffer from tension, circulatory problems, or even colic afterward.
But don’t worry, these possible effects can be easily avoided. If the riding lesson or ride was particularly strenuous, you should walk your horse for another 15 to 20 minutes after riding to normalize breathing. It’s best to dismount for this, loosen the Girth, or remove the saddle completely.
Then you can start hosing down, but never use ice-cold water, as this heats the body further and stresses the circulation. The horse’s body reacts to cold stimuli with a counter-reaction and produces heat. Therefore, the cooling effect on the legs only occurs after about 10 minutes.
It’s also important not to start near the heart, so never hose down the chest first. It’s best to start at the hind hooves, then move to the front legs, and finally work your way over the rest of the body from front to back. Be especially careful on the belly, back, and croup, as many horses are sensitive in these areas.
After showering, you only have one important task left: use a sweat scraper to remove the excess water from your horse’s coat.
Conclusion
Proper washing and hosing down your horse not only contribute to cleanliness but also provide a welcome refreshment on hot days. With the right equipment and a little patience, grooming becomes a relaxing ritual for you and your horse. Take a look in our online shop and discover our high-quality Grooming Products that make your work easier and are good for your horse.
