Horses by their very nature are dirty. They spend their lives out in the pasture or in a dusty stall and love nothing better than to find the dirtiest spot to have a nice roll. They particularly like to do this after a rain or after a hard workout when they are wet and sweaty so the horse that leaps up from the ground doesn't really look like the horse you turned loose a minute ago. Humans like to have their horses clean and sometimes this doesn't quite fit into what the horse has in mind. Knowing how to give your horse a water bath is very handy. You don't want to wage war with a 1000lb animal and getting him used to the bath slowly, making it so he enjoys it or even looks forward to his bath, can be a great reward for you. It can be a bonding and trust building exercise for the both of you as well.

This is not something to do just because a horse show is coming up and you have 24 hours to get your horse ready. Take your time giving your horse his bathing experience and don't ever try to rush it. Taking care to make things go well at the beginning will make bathing easier and easier as you go. It will also get faster as you and your horse learn the routine and know what to expect.

In point of fact is best not to bathe your horse just before a horse show as the shampoo will strip your horse of his natural oils and you will have to use synthetic replacements to enhance his glow. But everyone knows that the sweat and mud on the coat will dull the glossiness of his coat as well. So what to do? Rinse your horse after his workout without soaps or shampoos.http://www.admani.com/AllianceEquine/TechBulletins/Feeding%20and%20fitting%20halter%20and%20sale%20horses.htm Wash the mane and tail weekly, and bath for a show two days before so the horse has time to reproduce his natural coat oils.

Introduce the bath when it will be a reward for your horse, such as after a hot workout on a warm summer day when he has cooled down and has that itchy sweat dried all over himself. If you are introducing a foal or weanling to the water bath it is imperative that you make it a good experience so that you don't establish bad habits or a dislike for bathing throughout the horses life. Reward with treats and pats and murmers (good ones), to let your horse know all is well and good.

To give your horse a bath, especially if it is his and your first time (and you will most likely get wet), take your time and follow these simple steps.

There are a few things that you will need to assemble together before getting your horse out of his pasture or stall for his bath. If you are going to do this after a ride make sure you have these things together before you ride. Your horse MUST be cooled off completely before you give your horse a bath, the rapid cooling of a hot body may induce colic or founder.http://www.infohorse.com/bathinghorses.asp

1. Tie place or wash stall: A concrete wash stall with non slip mats and cross ties is the perfect place to give your horse a bath. Unfortunately most people do not have access to such a luxury. Find a place that is free of equipment and debris. Make sure the hose is not under where you will tie you horse. Try to make sure that the place you choose to bath will not turn muddy when you start to bathe. Concrete without mats is not the best place to wash a horse. Concrete will get slippery when wet, try putting mats down on the concrete where you will bathe. A slip may make a horse leery of bath time, especially if it happens over and over in the spot where you bathe. Eventually he may start refusing to go into the bathing area.
2. Two buckets: One for soapy water and one for clean rinse water.
3. Several sponges: At least one for soaping and one for rinsing but you may also want another for the face area and one for the dock area.
4. Horse shampoo and horse conditioner: These are pH balanced not to dry out the horses hair. They may be bought at your local horse supply store.
5. An adjustable spray nozzle: These may be found at home and garden stores, feed stores, or even your local dollar store.
6. Hoof conditioner. This helps prevent the drying of the hoof
7. A sweat/water scrapper: This is a curved piece of plastic that helps shed your horses coat of the excess water and assists in the drying process.
8. Towels: Used to wipe down the horse after bathing, again helping the drying process.

1. Give your horse a thorough grooming. If you are going to bath him after you ride, the workout may have sped up your job by loosening the hair, and a good currying will help produce favorable results. If there is caked on mud this will turn to a slurry when wet, so try to get that off.
2. Apply a hoof conditioner if you are giving frequent baths or rinse offs, this will help prevent the hoof from drying out.
3. Tie your horse in an appropriate bathing location, making sure your hose is not under his feet. If this is a new experience for your horse you may want to have someone holding him to help sooth him.
4. Wet your horse with a garden sprayer. Adjust the sprayer to a gentle shower and always wet all four legs before moving upwards. This will help your horse get used to the temperature of the water and you slowly creep up his body. If he shows an unfavorable reaction to the spray going up, go back down and pat him. Sometimes standing close to the horse with your free hand on him as if you were grooming him helps. This will also allow you to reassure him with pats and talk.
5. Once your horse is wet use a bucket of water, with shampoo stirred in to a nice suds, and a sponge to apply the shampoo. Scrub vigorously to help lift the dirt from the skin. Do not allow any shampoo to dry as you are scrubbing as this may irritate the horse's skin.http://www.alphahorse.com/grooming-bathing.html Squeeze your sponge out when doing the face so that soapy water does not get into the horses eyes.
6. Rinse your horse. Pay particular attention to the belly where the shampoo from the back is going to roll and collect.http://www.alphahorse.com/grooming-bathing.html
7. Use the scraper to remove the extra water from the body and belly. Do not use the scrapper on the legs.
8. Use the towels to dry the legs and give a brisk rub down on the body.
9. Walk your horse to air dry or let him graze. Do not turn him loose in the pasture or in his stall while he is still wet; it is almost certain he will roll and even the smallest wet spot will make mud.

A horse may learn to look forward to his bath, especially as a reward after a hard work out.

The mane and the tail of the horse are one of the most eye catching features. The mane and the forelock keep the bugs away from the face and neck and provide a little shade for the horses eyes.http://www.raspberryridge.com/Kids-Mane%20Care.htm In colder areas the mane also helps in keeping the horse warm. The tail is an ace fly swatter. A mane that is uncared for can be a breeding ground for insects and fungi.http://www.raspberryridge.com/Kids-Mane%20Care.htm These will start the horse to scratching and rubbing on any available surface, pulling out hair and even making bare spots. Washing helps in getting rid of leaves, burs and dirt that may mask insects, and it will flush bacteria from the skin, reducing the chances of infection.http://www.raspberryridge.com/Kids-Mane%20Care.htm

When washing apply conditioner unless you are planning to braid for a show. The conditioner will make the hair slippery and not want to stay in a tidy braid. It also help in combing out tangles.

1. Wet the tail and mane. This can be done with a hose, by gently wetting the the skirt of the tail and the tail bone, or by the use of a bucket. By dipping the tail into a bucket of soapy water. Be careful when wetting the horses dock area as he may try to sit down. Be sure when doing the mane to face the horse back along his neck so the water is not running down into the horses eyes.
2. Apply shampoo and scrub vigorously
3. Rinse, either with the hose or by dipping the tail in the rinse bucket.
4. Apply conditioner and rinse again.