Bathing a horse

[2468herdsrgr8]

Just wondering when you bath your horse do you start at the same spot....such as the left shoulder and work you way back to the rear......and IF the horse should move off...like back up would you start over again at the same left shoulder and work your way back to the "spot" that moved him?..... I was over at the neighbours watching them bath their horses and that is what they did....one of their young horses they put up against the barn stone wall so he wouldnt moved off so fast...
Any tips for the first time bather...going to bath my big guy this weekend ...he's so muddy !...he has been bathed by his old owners...Merci buckets !

 

[big brown horse]

We had a "wash rack" at my old stables complete with cross ties. It was nice sure, but if you don't have one it is not that big of a deal. Tie up and let er rip. If they move away a bit, it not that big of a deal to me, if they step toward you, I just push them back to original position. I start at the legs and work my way up to initially get them wet. After that I wash etc and rince from head to toe.

 

[mully]

I have always started with a good wet sponge and wipe them down once they realize they won't die from a wet sponge you can add a little more water to the bath. Most horses like a bath but just don't turn the hose on them, so work slowly and they will be happy.

 

[lupinfarm]

WELL lol When we had Buddy he was terrified of water and no matter what we did we couldn't get him to get over his fear of water so we used to tie him on the lunge and chase him with the hose until he was good and wet and clean LOL, not ideal and not how you deal with it but we tried EVERYTHING and after a few minutes he'd be okay and stand realizing it was pretty awesome to be washed. With Pal we started at the front left hoof and worked our way up and back.

 

[Countrymom]

If the horse has been bathed before and is trained, hopefully you won't have a problem. However, start at a shoulder to begin with. Had a lady come from another trainer with her horse and wanted me to start at her legs. I had to explain that I didn't want this horse - who was a mess when it came to anything sprayed, to jump off the ground and strike at me. So I started her at the shoulder. Now she loves her bathes and fly spray.

Whenever you have a horse that doesn't like to be hosed/sprayed, start with the spray and if they move, follow them. Don't chase them and be agressive, just keep moving with them. When they stop, you stop and praise. If you don't praise them with relief from the spray their brains don't get it. Never pin a horse in a position for them to act up and you or them to get hurt. Get yourself a good long hose and in an open pasture or paddock without them tied, just in hand with halter and lead rope. Never had a horse yet I couldn't get to wash or spray. Including the face. If you are working with a spray bottle, then use it with water to desensitive them - then move on to fly spray or show sheen - whatever you are spraying. Also work on their face as well - with the hose and the spray bottle. It drives me crazy to have a horse that can bath, but then I can't wash his/her face. If you need to fly spray the face, always cover their eye with your hand.

I have been using that EQ Solutions spray soap for a while now and really like it. Makes the job of scrubbing up a horse a lot easier. Then if you need to work it in with a curry or sponge, you have it already all over the body. I have also noticed it helps fungus issues with the skin and with sun bleaching. Much better that EZ All.

I am not a fan of cross ties.

 

[2468herdsrgr8]

Good Mornin' everyone...thanks so much for the replys .....I am going to give him a bath tomorrow...Saturday morning....so he can roll and get muddy again...ha ha ha !!

 

[2468herdsrgr8]

I didnt get a chance to wash my horse today....Didnt even ride...but I did give him a good scratch and some treats.
It was such a beautiful SUNNY day as in no RAIN ...we did alot of outside work...I am tired...going to pop some tylenol and off to bed....

 

[lupinfarm]

I didnt get a chance to wash my horse today....Didnt even ride...but I did give him a good scratch and some treats.
It was such a beautiful SUNNY day as in no RAIN ...we did alot of outside work...I am tired...going to pop some tylenol and off to bed....

2468, You're in Seagrave aren't you? Unless I'm totally losing it, I think I remember something on BYC about you being from Seagrave.

 

[lupinfarm]

If you are, we totally passed your house today I recognized the house and (especially the run-in shed!) from photos on BYC and on here, we were on the way home from delivering a puppy in Vaughan and took the "long" or more scenic way home.

 

[2468herdsrgr8]

If you are, we totally passed your house today I recognized the house and (especially the run-in shed!) from photos on BYC and on here, we were on the way home from delivering a puppy in Vaughan and took the "long" or more scenic way home.

No it was me !!! Awww darn....We live close to Guelph ....and you cannot see the horse shelter from the road....