Now that summer is almost here, it is a great time to wash your horse. Washing your horse is a big job and being prepared makes the job a lot easier for you and your horse. Plan on spending at least an hour to wash, rinse, and dry. Follow these simple steps and it should go smoothly:
First Step: See if your horse is in a good mood. If your horse is acting up, you should avoid giving your horse a bath. If you have to give your horse a bath, then it is a good idea to have a helper.
Second Step: Make sure that your horse is secure. If possible, tie your horse in a washrack. A washrack is an ideal place for washing your horse and made for the purpose of washing a horse. A washrack has a hard, concrete floor and a hitch for tying up your horse. If you don�t have a washrack available, choose an area that has a hard floor and a place to secure your horse. Use a halter and a lead rope to help secure your horse. Nylon material works the best.
Third Step: Prepare your water. A horse should be bathed in warm water. A garden hose, attached to a warm water source, is great for spraying off your horse. Using a hose to rinse your horse off is very convenient and saves you time. If you don�t have a hose available, prepare warm water buckets. The amount of water needed to bathe your horse depends on the size of your horse and most horses need approximately 75 gallons of water for a bath. When you don�t have easy access to warm water, a bucket heater is very handy. Always check the water first before using it on your horse. Make sure that it is warm to the touch.
Fourth Step: Prepare your tools. Have your shampoo, conditioner, sponges, scraper, towels, sheet, and anything else you will need to bathe your horse ready to use and within reach.
Fifth Step: Dress appropriately. You will definitely get wet when washing your horse, so make sure that you dress in clothes and shoes that can get wet.
Sixth Step: Reward your horse. To help encourage good behavior during a bath, give your horse a treat when finished.
