If horses have sweated heavily or have a small wound, it can be helpful to rinse them off once. The smell of sweat can attract flies and insects, making these pests even more annoying than they already are. Cooling down tired legs or on extremely hot summer days can also be especially beneficial for your four-legged friend. Sometimes it may even be necessary to rinse a wound with clear water. It quickly becomes clear how important it is that showering is not stressful but a treat for your beloved animal.
1. Get your horse used to water and the hose
At the beginning, you should first familiarize your horse with the showering situation. The water hose can resemble a snake and trigger your four-legged friend’s instincts. Your horse may also initially be afraid of the splashing water and the noise. Therefore, it should be allowed to calmly observe everything first so it doesn’t get startled and the situation is as pleasant as possible. Show it the water hose and direct the water stream away from the horse. This way, your horse can take a look at the scenario and realize that neither the hose nor the water pose any danger.
Additionally, you should have already practiced standing still with your horse. When you have a sponge and water hose in your hand, it can be difficult to constantly correct your horse, which can lead to communication problems between you. Your horse should already know the grooming or washing area and see standing still as a moment of relaxation.
2. Increase gradually
Once your four-legged friend is not afraid of the water or hose, you can start with the hooves. It is important to increase gradually. Start with the hooves and then move up step by step. You should never start near the heart, as this can disrupt circulation. Also, only wet the kidney area if it is really warm. Horses are very sensitive around the kidneys.
Moreover, the water should preferably not be too cold. If you spray your sweaty horse with water that is too cold and for too short a time, it may actually make the horse feel warmer, as this is a natural reaction of the horse’s body to cold water.
3. Praise, praise, praise
At the beginning, it can be especially helpful to keep the showering session a bit shorter. As soon as your horse stands still, you can turn off the water again. This way, your four-legged friend realizes that the water stream also disappears and nothing bad happens to it.
Praise is key. When your horse stands still and accepts the water, you should praise it extensively. Treats or petting sessions create positive associations with the situation. After some practice, your beloved one will quickly realize that there is a reward at the washing area and will start to like the place.
4. Shampoo, sponge, and more
Choose the right shampoo for your four-legged friend. For a gray horse, for example, you can use the Schimmel Shampoo from Leovet. Thanks to a special care formula, it can remove unsightly discolorations and make the coat shine in a radiant white. There are also suitable shampoos for horses with sweet itch, such as the spray shampoo from Zedan. This shampoo was specially developed for sensitive horse skin and simultaneously soothes irritated skin areas. For a starter kit, the horse washing set from Effol is particularly suitable. It includes shampoo, towel, and a practical shampoo brush all together. On especially hot days, you can cool your horse down with the Cooling Wash from Effol. This shampoo not only cares for the coat but also supports regeneration after an intense training session.
Overall, you should introduce your horse to the washing area with calmness and patience so that it can stand there relaxed in the long term and enjoy the cooling down.
We wish you much success and lots of fun with your four-legged friend!
