Bathing Step-by-Step

1. Assemble all your bath equipment at the wash rack.You’ll need:

• Large bucket
• Equine Shampoo & Conditioner
• Sponges: large sponge for the body, a smaller sponge for the face and another separate sponge for between your horse’s hindquarters and under the tail.
• Bath mitt or curry
• Hose (coil hoses are less prone to tangle)
• Adjustable spray nozzle
• Sweat Scraper
• Coat Polish Spray
• Large towel

2. Squirt a small amount of shampoo in your bucket and add water to create suds.

3. Secure your horse in the wash rack and wet him down with the hose, including mane and tail. Start hosing low and slow at the legs and work your way up to the body, allowing your horse to get used to the water.

4. Apply shampoo full strength to the mane, working down to the roots.

5. Next, suds up the body with your sponge, and scrub. For extra cleaning power use a bath mitt or rubber curry. Work in sections if necessary, scrubbing and rinsing so that the soap doesn’t dry on your horse’s coat.

6. Shampoo the tail, working the soap through the hair and down to the tailbone.

7. Rinse well. And then rinse again, just to be sure there’s no soap lurking in your horse’s coat.

8. Apply conditioner according to directions—some formulas are leave-in, while others are designed to rinse out.

9. Add the finishing touch to your handiwork: Spray-in products can help condition, add shine and repel dirt and dust.

10. Allow your horse to dry. Hand grazing in the sun is a nice way to relax and bond after his spa session. Make sure his legs and belly are completely dry before putting him away to prevent fungus from developing—towel dry if necessary.

Further Reading
Tips for Bathing Your Horse
A Winter Spa Day for Your Horse
Horse Grooming Tools