Horse Bathing FAQ!

When the temperatures rise, horses cool themselves off by sweating, especially during work! It’s our responsibility to cool them off and wash off the sweat before they’re put away.

Once they’re finished with their session, it’s really important they’re cooled off before being put away in their stall. Make sure to follow the guidelines below to keep them safe!

As soon as the horse is back on the crossties, make sure to take off the saddle so they can start to cool down.

Once you’re back in the barn, take a look under the saddle. Are they dry? Sweaty? VERY sweaty? Hot to the touch?

If they’re totally dry and cool, just use a curry comb to get rid of their sweat marks!

If a horse is sweaty and warm, make sure to check the schedule before sponging or hosing. We don’t want to put a saddle on a wet horse!

If they’re sweaty and going in later lessons, give them a good grooming and a towel to get off excess sweat.

If the horse is done for the day and they’re finished with lessons, bring them to the wash stall to hose them down or grab a bucket to sponge them down. Make sure to cover any sweaty areas and focus on their back, chest, and between their back legs!

Once they’re sponged or hosed, ALWAYS use a sweatscraper on a dripping wet horse. Excess water can actually make a horse hotter!

Pro Tip: How to use a sweat scraper!

1. Hold the sweat scraper with the bump facing towards you.

2. Run the scraper against the skin with some pressure anywhere there are drips.

3. Repeat until there are no more drips!

If a horse is extrememly hot and sweaty and doesn’t seem to be cooling down, tell a staff member!