Bath time!
It’s spring again, that time for cleaning–and not just your attic! It’s bath time for Noah, and for many horses. But there are tricks to bathing a horse. After all, you can’t just dunk them in a tub and be done with it.
The first thing to remember is that you shouldn’t bathe your horse too often with shampoo or soap. A horse’s skin has many vital oils that he loses if you wash him with any kind of soap. So save your baths for special occasions, like shows. Hosing a horse off with water if he’s become quite sweaty is not only okay, but recommended–just don’t use soap.
Next, make sure you don’t surprise a horse by suddenly blasting him with cold water (think how little you’d appreciate similar treatment…). Always start on his hooves, and work your way up his legs so he’s expecting the water on his body.
Lastly, make sure your horse is at least mostly dry before putting back out in his paddock or pasture. One, a damp horse can easily get chilled if there’s any wind or if it’s a bit nippy. Second, wet horses LOVE to roll; they’ll undo all your hard work in a matter of seconds!
So check out the video below for detailed instructions on how to properly and safely wash a horse. Enjoy!
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Comments on Bath time!
Hi Ali!
As I said in my past comment on Buying a horse, I am a big fan of yours. So about the Bath time video, I wanted to ask if you use human shampoo on the tail and main?
Thank you for taking your time
Marcela
Thank you ;) Yep, I do use human shampoo on his mane and tail.
-Ali
Thank you for answering! I just wasn’t sure, so I had to ask. Sorry that I have a lot of questions, but I dont leave comments on youtube or ask questions because for that I would need to be registred.
Thanx again
Marcela
No problem! I’m trying to get more people to use my website instead of youtube anyway ;)
-Ali
Hi Ali!
I am a huge fan anyway this might sound really silly but what about their forelock? Thanks heaps :)
Caitlin
No worries, no silly questions. You should wash their forelocks the same way you wash their faces, with a sponge and very carefully, without getting soap and water in their eyes.
-Ali
Hey Ali,
With the human shampoo thing, doesnt it strip the natural oils from their mane and tail or is that just the coat? Thanks a lot for making videos on this sort of thing, it helps me a lot!!
Love, Jemma xx
Hi Ali,
Just have a question about when your leasing a horse because I’m doing that to my freind’s horse-he doesn’t like me to much. My freind wants me to go to the stable today and wash him do you have any tips for a horse thst doesn’t like you. ;)
Thanks -Razinia
Ali,
I can’t wait for my first show in June!! I will TOTALLY take this stuff. So I have a really big request for a video or post. I have never been to sleep away camp before especially horse back riding camp !could you go over the basic needs for what to bring for your horse and yourself to camp.If you have never gone to a camp like this befor I totally understand. Thanks for reading this post!!!
Thanks again…
Syd:)
I’m not sure what you mean about the horse “not liking you.” Usually horses don’t just not like someone. They might not like certain things that you do, in which case you need to figure out what is bothering the horse.
-Ali
hey Ali
For the face could you use baby soap ?
hi ali,
i am 13 and just started taking riding lessons.. i dont live where i could have a horse :( but my riding teacher said on my first lesson that i did really good.. but its hard for me to turn the horse :P he will eather turn all the way around or just stop lol.. he is extreamly sensitive to the reins, i am really gental with him, but even if there is slack in the reins he still moves, like if i even wiggle the reins he turns, is there anway to help me learn to be more carful?.. haha.. i feel stupid now.. its western riding btw….. :P
hey ali-
Im Haylea and i wanted to know how much is a lease usually? And i also wanted to know how much do u feed horses?
No reason to feel bad, you’re learning!! Everyone has to start somewhere. One thing to remember is that a horse turns just as much off what your seat and legs are doing as the reins, so even if you have no pressure on the reins at all you can steer the horse. Make sure you are always looking the direction you want to go, and pointing your hips in that direction. If your horse turns when you didn’t ask him to, gently correct him and really focus on riding straight with your whole body. Happy trails!
-Ali
Lease costs depend on where you are, what kind of horse you are leasing, and other details–it varies from case to case.
-Ali
You could certainly do that ;)
-Ali
Hi Ali my dad just got me a new pony, complete surprise! I dont even ride, anyways i love him now and i can ride him now its been alot of work but i got there, Anyway what tips would you give to me for having your horse take the bit easier and I feed my pony alot(Well enough that he needs) Yet his ribs are very visable. He is only around 4 , is this normal? thanks and sorry for the long comment ;)
First, I would take a fresh fecal sample to the vet’s to get him tested for worms, as that’s a common way for a pony not to gain weight. Secondly, maybe you do need to feed him more, if he’s young and growing. I’ve got a blog on “bad bridle behavior” which may help you with the bit. Good luck!
-Ali