Horse Bathing Systems

Since the earliest days of human civilization, horses have proven invaluable in both agricultural and recreational pursuits. Costly show and race horses win fame for owners and breeders, while ordinary pleasure horses provide gentle companionship. Unlike their wild brethren, domesticated horses depend on human owners to meet their basic needs. Providing for a horse's welfare includes not only proper nutrition but also exercise, bathing and regular medical checks. Bathing is especially important in keeping the horse free of ticks and parasites and enhancing the appearance of its coat.

  1. Traditional Hand-Washing

    • Although the process is time consuming and messy, you can bathe your horse entirely by hand. Designate a stall for bathing and lead the horse inside. Make sure the horse is at ease before you start the bath. Mix the suggested amount of horse shampoo into a bucket of water. Use a water hose to completely wet the horse down. Scrub the horse all over with a large, soft sponge. Pay special attention to the undercarriage and hindquarters. Rinse the soapy water off immediately and rub the horse dry with towels.

    Sprayer Systems

    • A sprayer system attaches to an ordinary water hose, making for a conveniently portable means for bathing horses. The sprayer attachment has a compartment for shampoo and an adjustable nozzle. You can switch between clean water and soapy water with one turn of a knob. Simple sprayer systems still require you to drag a length of hose behind you, and you can't alter the temperature of the water. However, a sprayer system does give you precise control over the flow of water.

    Heated Water Systems

    • Proper water temperature is important when bathing a horse. Cold water may shock the horse, making it unwilling to continue with the cleaning process. One bad memory of bath time may stick with the horse forever. A heated water system typically looks like an ordinary sprayer system but with an attached heating element. Small propane tanks often supply heat to the water tank. A recirculation system can prevent cold water from sitting in the hoses.

    Sprayer Booms

    • Reminiscent of a drive-through car wash, a sprayer boom eliminates the need for cumbersome water hoses. With the horse standing underneath the nozzles, the system provides a thorough soaking faster than doing it by hand. You don't have to worry about a hose getting tangled under your feet. Soaping the horse down will still take some elbow grease, but rinsing is faster and possibly easier with a sprayer boom. However, water usage with a sprayer boom system might be higher than with other methods.