How to wash a horse rug

Horses love rolling around in the dirt and mud in both warm and cold weather. Wearing a rug or blanket in the winter still doesn't stop them from rolling, but it does get the rug very dirty. Learn how to wash a horse rug to get it looking clean and lasting more than one season.

Instructions

    • 1

      Lay the rug over a fence or something tall enough that it won't touch the ground. Don't lay it over your horse or the side of a vehicle because you will be striking the rug. Using a broom or bat, beat the rug to remove dirt and dust.

    • 2

      Use a stiff bristled brush to remove the majority of hair and dirt from the rug. It may not look clean, but removing the bigger debris like this will help in the cleaning process. Turn it over to remove the hair build-up from the underside of the rug.

    • 3

      Put the rug into a large container, bathtub or water trough filled with water and horse shampoo. Use a stick or broom handle to swish it around in the water as much as possible.

    • 4

      Lay the rug out on a clean, flat surface and use a stiff brush to scrub it, or put it into a washing machine. If there are tough stains on the rug, try scrubbing them out first even if you are putting it into a washing machine.

    • 5

      Rinse the rug very thoroughly. There should be no soap left to irritate the horse.

    • 6

      Lay the rug out to dry, preferably in the sun for an entire day. Hanging it over a fence will allow air to get up under the rug and quicken the drying process.