Always use a shampoo with a neutral pH.
You should always use a shampoo with a neutral pH. This means a shampoo that has an acidity or alkalinity that falls between zero and fourteen on the pH scale. The scale goes from more acidic to more alkaline, with neutral being seven in the middle. If you use anything lower than 7, you’re going to be stripping your horse’s skin of natural oils, which are important for healthy skin and coat quality.
The reason why this matters is because everything above 7 is naturally acidic (baking soda is 9), so using anything over seven can cause drying out of the skin while making it more prone to irritation and inflammation due to its alkalinity (like salt).
Stay away from chlorine bleach.
- Stay away from chlorine bleach. Sodium hypochlorite, or chlorine bleach, is a strong oxidizer that can cause skin irritation and toxicity in horses. It is also not necessary for most bathing situations—a good rinse with just hot water and soap will work just as well! Bleach should be avoided because it’s not only bad for your horse’s health but also for the environment: it creates dioxins when mixed with wastewater treatment sludge or other organic matter that contain nitrogen.[2] Dioxins are highly toxic compounds that can cause cancer and reproductive problems in humans; they may also be carcinogenic to horses.[3]
Castile soap is a great cleanser.
Castile soap is a great cleanser for horses. It’s derived from olive oil, so it’s naturally gentle on the skin and biodegradable. Castile soap can be used by both people and animals.
Vinegar can be used as a natural remedy for flies.
Vinegar is a natural remedy for flies. It’s also a great alternative to harsh chemicals when bathing your horse.
The vinegar smell can sometimes be overwhelming, but this is usually only the case in the beginning of using it as a fly repellent. If you’re concerned about what the smell might do to your horse, start small by adding just a few cups of vinegar to their bath water and gradually increase over time if it works well for them. A little goes a long way with this product — once you’ve got them used to it, then you’ll know how much they actually need!
Just like humans, horses need good water.
Water is the most important element to keep your horse happy and healthy. Just like humans, horses need good water.
However, many of us are concerned about chlorine in our water supply, lead in our pipes, copper and zinc present in Western waters (the two metals together can be toxic), and acidic or alkaline pH levels.
So what should you look for? Here are some guidelines:
- Consider a natural spring as your source of water for your horse – especially if you live where there are no manmade streams or ponds nearby. You’ll find that these sources have high levels of beneficial minerals that can only come from nature itself—and these things will naturally improve your horse’s health by giving him the minerals he needs to live happily! But make sure it’s not too acidic! Be sure to check out this chart on AboutHorses.com to see whether yours falls within an acceptable range so he won’t get hurt by drinking too much acidity-laden water…or possibly even worse things could happen if his body was suddenly flooded with harmful elements found within certain types of streams/rivers near urban areas.”
Natural products are gentle and effective for both bathing and fly control.
Natural products are gentle and effective for both bathing and fly control. Natural products are good for the environment, the horse, you, and your groom. Natural products are also safe for your vet to use when treating wounds or other injuries in your horse.
Anns is a contributor at EFA National. We are committed to providing well-researched, accurate, and valuable content to our readers.
