Making a horse look shiny and nice is one of the more satisfying parts of a horse care routine. Regular grooming is one of the best ways to keep your horse looking good. But every now and then you may also want to give them a deep clean with water and shampoo. On a hot summers day, getting under the hose can be a real pleasure for you and your horse. When it comes to selecting the best horse shampoo there are many things to take into consideration. By following our helpful guide you'll learn everything you need to know so that you can choose the most suitable one.
Different Types of Horse Shampoo
A bottle of shampoo can last for quite a few washes so it's important to pick one best suited to your horse care needs. Below you'll find a list of the most common types of horse shampoos available on the market.
Medicated Shampoos
If your horse has a skin condition or parasites then choosing a medicated shampoo is essential. Depending on the skin condition, you may also want to get advice from your vet about choosing the right one. For treating infections like ringworm or rain burn then you need to use an anti-fungal or antibacterial shampoo.
For treating sweat itch try an antimicrobial shampoo or a skin soothing one that contains Neem or essential oils. Medicated shampoos are generally milder and soothing on the horse's skin so they can be a good option for dry skinned or sensitive horses. Some medicated shampoos are made specifically for treating general dermatitis, dry skin, rashes and itchiness.
Color Enhancing Shampoos
These are cosmetic shampoos that help to bring out the brightness and color in a horse's coat. These can be great to use before a show or special occasion to get your horse impressively gleaming. Some of these shampoos contain dyes that will stain the horses coat to make the color look richer, others are made with special optical brighteners. These brighteners are absorbed into the hair and enhance the light reflection off the coat making the colour seem brighter and much more intense.
Make sure that you choose a color enhancing shampoo that is suitable for your horses coat color. For white or gray horses then you should use shampoos with a bluing agent for extra brightness. Color enhancing shampoos can be quite drying on human skin so it's a good idea to wear gloves when you’re using them.
Stain Removing Shampoos
If you've got a white or grey coated horse then you know how much of a problem stains can be and you should choose a whitening shampoo for horses that's tough on stains. Using stain removal shampoos will make getting rid of tough stains much easier than endless scrubbing.
Dry Horse Shampoo
Another good option for getting rid of tough stains is using a dry horse shampoo. These can be used directly on the stained area as a spot on treatment and don't need to be lathered or rinsed with water. These sprays are also a great alternative to giving your horse a full shower in the cold winter months.
Bicarbonate of Soda
Bicarbonate of soda can be used to get rid of stubborn stains, particularly ones found on the tail. It's a natural mild abrasive that won't cause damage to your horse's hair. To help prevent stains appearing in the first place you can use detangler or leave-in conditioner after washing your horse. These products can form a protective barrier on your horse's coat and prevent dust and dirt from sticking.
Natural Shampoos
If your horse suffers from dry or sensitive skin then you should consider using a horse shampoo that is made with mainly natural ingredients. Natural shampoos with ingredients such as Aloe Vera or Neem are much kinder to the hair. Not only do they strip away less of your horse's natural oils, but they are also quite soothing and nourishing for the skin. Some natural shampoos contain essential oils such as chamomile or lavender which can also have a soothing effect on your horse mood. For the best choice in natural shampoos choose ones that are sulfate and paraben free. These chemicals can dry the hair out, which can be a disaster for horses who already suffer from dry skin.
Special Features
These days many shampoos offer much more than just suds for cleaning your horse. If you live in a hot and sunny climate and your horse suffers from coat discolouration from the sun, you can choose a shampoo that protects against sun bleaching. Also in the summer months, when biting insects are at their peak, you can choose a horse shampoo that contains insect repellent to help keep the insect at bay. If you want to make your horse's coat is more lustrous and its mane more shapley then choose a nourishing shampoo that contains keratin to promote hair growth.
Conditioners
Horse conditioners are a great way to add a little bit of moisture back to the horse's skin and coat after its had a shampooing. Horse conditioners also give the horse's coat an extra shiny and smooth finish. Some of them even provide a protective barrier against dust and dirt after you've showered your horse. Conditioner is particularly useful for detangling and removing knots from the delicate mane and tail after washing. Some horse owners prefer not to use conditioner on the mane before a show if they want their horses mane to be braided. If the mane is too smooth and shiny then the braids won't stay in. Depending on the condition of your horse's coat, you may not always need to use conditioner.
How Often Should I Shampoo a Horse
When it comes to cleaning your horse with shampoo then you should really try and keep showering habits to a minimum unless there are specific medical reasons for shampooing. If you do have to wash your horse regularly then choose a milder shampoo that's kinder on the skin.
All horses are different and some horses will tolerate regular shampooing while others will suffer from dry skin if they're showered too much. Regular brushing is much healthier for your horse than regular bathing but of course, there will be times when accumulated dust or substances need to be washed off your horse's coat. Especially if you and your horse like to be in the show ring. Horses are very sensitive to their environment, particularly when it comes to their sense of smell so it's better to choose a horse shampoo with neutral or mild scent or fragrance.
How to Shampoo a Horse
Before you put any kind of product on your horse's skin or coat, you should carry out a patch test first to make sure that your horse doesn't react badly to the product. After twenty-four hours, if there's no irritation then you are ready to use the shampoo all over your horse's body.
- Start by tying your horse up securely and make sure it is tolerant of running water from the hose. It's a good idea to start from the hooves and gently move the running water up the legs then onto the body. You should soak your horse all over but avoid spraying him directly in the face with the hose.
- When your horse is soaked all over then it's time to use the shampoo.
- Don’t apply the shampoo directly to your horse's coat, instead mix some in a bucket with water and use a sponge to apply it. By doing this you will avoid leaving super concentrated patches of soap on your horse's coat.
- Once you’ve applied the shampoo, use a sponge or rubber curry comb to create a lather all over the horse's body avoiding the nose and eyes. Areas with stains may need an extra bit of scrubbing.
- Once your horse is lathered and cleaned all over then you can rinse the shampoo off.
- Start rinsing from the top of the neck and work your way back over the body. Rinsing is very important as any residue leftover from the shampoo can cause dryness of the skin. Rinse a lot and when you think you’ve rinsed enough rinse some more. To see if you've removed all the shampoo, try rubbing an area of hair and see if it lathers.
- When your horse is completely rinsed then use a clean wet sponge to wash around the delicate areas such as eyes, nose and genitalia. When you've done all this then it's time to wash the tail.
- The best way to clean the tail is by dipping it into a bucket of soapy water rinsing it off fully afterwards.
- Finally, when your horse is all clean, use a sweat scraper to remove excess water from your horse, this will help the coat to dry quicker.
Homemade Horse Shampoo
If you enjoy using natural, chemical free products, then you may find the idea of making homemade horse shampoo appealing. When you make horse shampoo at home, you can tailor it to your horses individual requirements. Homemade horse shampoos contain fewer chemicals which is better for your horse and better for the environment. Take a look at our tips on how to make horse shampoos at home.
Tips on Making Horse Shampoos at Home
Castile Soap
A popular base ingredient for homemade horse shampoo is liquid Castile soap. This is a very pure and simple soap that's safe to use on horses and humans. You can add other ingredients to the soap depending on your requirements.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are a popular choice and can have therapeutic effects on your horse. Tea tree essential oil is anti-fungal and antiseptic so works well for parasites whereas chamomile and lavender essential oils are soothing to the skin. Always be cautious when using essential oils on your horse, though they are natural they're super concentrated. Always carry out a patch on your horse before using them and for best results get advice from an aromatherapist.
Baking Powder
One of the best natural solutions for removing tough stains from your horses coat is baking powder. This can be rubbed directly onto the stain and has an even greater effect when used with white vinegar. If you want your horse to have a natural shine after shampooing then you can add cooled tea to the rinse. Use black tea for dark horse or chamomile tea for light ones. For a natural coat and skin conditioner then add some oil, such as sweet almond or avocado oil to your shampoo. The great thing about homemade horse shampoo is that you can use it on your own hair too.
Is Equine Shampoo Safe For Pets and Humans?
Generally speaking, horse shampoo is specifically designed to suit the ph level of the horses skin so unless the product says otherwise, it's not safe to use it on any other animals or humans. Some medicated shampoos can be used to help a range of animals and this will be clearly stated on the label. A big exception to this rule is Mane n Tail shampoo which was originally made for horses but is now a popular choice for humans. This is due to it's unique, rich formula which deeply conditions hair and can even encourage hair growth. To find out more about this horse shampoo, take a look at our Mane n Tail review below.
The Best Horse Shampoo Reviews
To help you make the right choice when it comes to selecting the best horse shampoos, we've reviewed five of the best ones currently available on the market.
1. Mane n Tail Combo Deal Shampoo and Conditioner
Mane n Tail is the most popular and trusted horse shampoo brand on the market. Its unique keratin formula isn't tested on animals and it's also safe to use on humans and pets. This shampoo will help to repair and nourish even the most dried out and damaged hair and in some cases can even encourage hair regrowth making this the best horse shampoo for hair growth on the market. This value pack comes with two bottles, one shampoo and one conditioner.
2. Detchra Miconahex Medicated Pet Shampoo
This is a medicated horse shampoo that's made in the USA. It's powerful for treating skin conditions yet very gentle on the skin. It's particularly good for fungal and bacterial conditions such as ringworm and rain rot. This shampoo also continues to work its magic even after you've rinsed it off, and it's safe to use on cats and dogs too. The great thing about this product is that it's highly moisturizing and fragrance-free which means that it's perfect for horses with sensitive skin.
3. Aloe Concentrated Shampoo 1 Gallon
If you're looking for a great value natural horse shampoo then this gallon bottle of Aloe Concentrated is the one to choose. The Aloe Vera will not only cleanse and condition the coat, it will also help to give the coat a healthy shine. There are no drying soaps or alcohol in this shampoo so it won't dry out your horses skin or strip it of natural oils. For an extra conditioning effect, this shampoo also contains oat proteins and added vitamins and it's safe to use on a range of animals.
4. Mane n Tail Sulfate Free Shampoo and Conditioner
This is another great product from Mane n Tail but this time it comes in a vegan formula. This gentle, water based shampoo will revitalize and condition hair without using harsh chemicals such as sulfates and parabens. This highly nourishing shampoo is also infused with Biotin which is highly cleansing and will help to detoxify the hair from built up chemicals such as sunblock, or fly spray. This is a very pure and natural horse shampoo that's great for the environment and great for your horse.
5. Pet MD Medicated Horse Shampoo
This is another good medicated shampoo that's safe to use on cats and dogs as well as your horse. Not only is this shampoo antibacterial and anti-fungal it also helps to heal superficial cuts, abrasions and bites. This is a high quality product that's made in the USA under regulation to ensure quality and safety. This is a mild yet effective shampoo and can be used to soothe a range of different skin conditions of the horse.
Top Choice
When it comes to choosing the best shampoo for horses then we highly recommend the Mane n Tail, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. This is a mild yet effective horse shampoo that's low in chemicals and does a great job of detoxing hair and maintaining hair health. You can even use this on your own hair so make sure that you stock up!
Conclusion
When it comes to shampooing your horse, remember that less is more. If you do need to wash your horse regularly then it's better to choose a very mild and moisturizing shampoo. Always carry out a patch test before using shampoo on your horse and seek advice from a vet if you think your horse has a medical skin condition. Once you've chosen the best horse shampoo you can look forward to watching your equine friend looking his best and gleaming under the summer sunshine.
