SolveYourProblem.com Article Series: Horse Care
Teach Me Horse Care Tips
How
To Wash and Clean Your Horse
When it comes to your horse, you probably
know that grooming him or her is not always a piece of cake.
It can take a long time to get the desired grooming results.
Not only do you need to know what works and what doesn’t, but
you also have to create a trusting relationship with your animal
and know what works best for them specifically. While many
things may work for other horses, there are some horses
that need extra special grooming care. Take a look at this information
to help you with your horse grooming.
Chances are if you own a horse, you already know how to groom
him or her. However, if you are a beginner, you may not know
where to start. The best way to start your bathing ritual is
with a pre-bath enhancer. You can create your own using vinegar
and olive oil. Just mix the two equal parts together for a
natural coat soak. You can sponge it onto your horse, all over,
and leave it for up to three days. This does require a little
planning ahead, so you may not always be able to get this step
in.
Next, you should always apply a little petroleum
jelly to
your horse’s hooves before using water. Water is very damaging
to hooves and can cause them to dry out and crack which can
create a lot of problems. If you are going to sand your horse’s
hooves, don’t apply the jelly.
Next, you should prepare your shampoo
mixture. If your horse
has sensitive skin, consider using a baby shampoo. Otherwise,
you can use a horse shampoo you get at your local pet supply
store. You should always dilute the shampoo, no matter what
the bottle says. If you want to bring out more of your horse’s
natural color, try a color enhancing shampoo for horses. They
are a great way to get your horse’s coat to look brilliant.
Keep in mind that if you plan on braiding your horse’s mane,
you should not shampoo or condition it. You can get it wet
and use hair gel after bathing. However, if you shampoo or
condition it, you will have a really hard time braiding it.
There may be some areas of your horse that you are a little
hesitant about washing, however you should be sure to always
clean under the tail and between the legs well. If you are
afraid of getting too close to your horse, you may want someone
there to help you out. Remember however, the more afraid you
are, the more nervous your horse will get from sensing your
anxiety. They are amazing animals and can tell when you are
anxious about something.
One
trick you can use is hot oil. If your horse’s tail is
dry and brittle, you can use a hot oil treatment on it. Use
one that is intended for humans and you will see instant results.
You can do this just for fun or before a show for extra beauty.
When it is time to rinse your horse, you can add a little
apple vinegar to your rinsing water. You can really get the
shampoo off with this mixture. Another great reason to use
apple vinegar in your rinse is because it repels flies, which
will help your horse stay comfortable.
Before your horse dries, you should remember to apply a sheen
product to the tail area and the body. You should not apply
it to the saddle area, girth, or the mane however. You can
use a small cloth to get your horse’s face. If you don’t have
a sheen product made specifically for horses, you can always
use a little baby oil in your rinsing water instead.
To finish your bathing process, you should take a steel wool
cloth and lightly get the dirt off of your horse’s hoofs. Saddle
soap and neatsfoot oil is a great way to take care of cracking
hooves. Some horse owners even use bacon grease for a remedy.
As you can see, bathing a horse is quite a lengthy process.
It is not something that you can’t do however. Anyone can bathe
a horse with a little practice and knowledge of horse bathing.
So, use these general tips to help you and get to work bathing
your horse! #
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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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