Grooming Tips from Industry Experts
Table of ContentsToggleProduct PrerequisitesChoosing a ShampooThe Right Product for the JobSpot TreatmentBathing TechniqueColor-Enhancing ShampoosConditioningDetangling Manes and TailsTime to ShineKey TakeawayBehind every shiny horse is not only good nutrition, regular routine care, and hours of currying, but also most likely, a plethora of potions and products devoted to clean, polish and otherwise primp your ride. To help you optimize your grooming routine, we went directly to industry experts from well-known brands to tap into their tips and insights from decades of developing effective equine grooming products. Here are their tips to choose the right grooming products for the job and make the most of every spritz and sudsing.Product PrerequisitesThe overall health of the horses skin and coat is paramount to equine beauty, according to Sally Stith-Burdette, marketing director for Shapleys Superior Equine Grooming Products.Healthy skin is going to produce good, healthy hair, she says.Photo by anjajuli/Adobe StockThere are many products to choose from, and you should first consider that the products youre grooming with are gentle, pH balanced, and made with quality ingredients, says Devon Katzev, president and product developer at Straight Arrow, makers of the Original Mane n Tail product line, as well as the Cowboy Magic and Exhibitors brands.The way you use the products also makes a difference, but ultimately, he notes that youll have to judge for yourself based on what works best for your horse.To get the most bang for your buck, it pays to take a moment to read directions on the bottle. Its easy to overlook this step with familiar products like shampoo, but the manufacturers instructions are intended to maximize performance.And spoiler alert: Theres no free pass from regular grooming. Even with the best products, good old-fashioned currying and elbow grease is still a big part of grooming success.Choosing a ShampooBefore you head to the wash rack, our experts explain why its important to make sure you have a shampoo thats made specifically for horses and pH balanced for equine skin.A dogs pH is different from a horses, which is different from peoples pH, explains Stith-Burdette. Horses actually have the most sensitive skin of all of them. When you use something thats not made just for the horse, you run the risk of it being drying [to the skin and coat].While human shampoo is usually gentle enough to be safe for horses, its not really designed to effectively cleanse the dirt that horses get into, or their coarser hair and sensitive skin. Horses love to roll and get dirty, and equine shampoos in general are designed to clean and compensate for the extra dirt, says Katzev. Plus, conditioning for their extra-thick manes and tails is essential to keep them long and flowing. For general cleaning, he says youll want a gentle pH-balanced formula and ingredients that clean and nourish.One thing you want to avoid is harsh detergents, such as household cleaning items. Products made for laundry or dishes are going to be extremely drying to the horses skin, strip the natural oils from the coat, and leave the hair dull and brittle.If you wouldnt use it on your own head, dont use it on your horse, says Stith-Burdette, warning that these household cleaning products can cause itching and create cracks in the skin, inviting bacteria and infection.The Right Product for the JobWhen selecting a shampoo for your horse, youll also want to choose the right one for the job. Equine shampoos may be formulated for routine cleaning and frequent use; contain medicated treatment for skin; or be made to enhance color or shine.With skin problems, Katzev recommends consulting with your vet and doing your research to better understand what you are looking to treat, such as rain rot, girth itch, scratches, et cetera.Getting the most out of the product depends on the type of shampoo youre using, says Stith-Burdette. For best results, read the product directionssome shampoos are designed to be diluted, while others work best applied full-strength directly to the coat.Color enhancing shampoo [is used] full strength, she says. You can use a medicated shampoo, if youre [treating] a problem like rain rot, at full strength and let it sit; if youre just trying to prevent [a skin issue], then dilute it in a bucket of water. Same with everyday shampoo; you just add a little bit to the water.Many equine shampoos are formulated to be diluted into a bucket of water before applying. Photo by Shelley PaulsonSpot TreatmentSpot removers, or waterless no-rinse shampoos, are handy for quick clean-up or any time you cant bathe a horse, whether its too cold or you just have a few stains that need to be addressed.You can spray directly if its a really tough stain, says Stith-Burdette. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then rub it with a towel.Staying on top of stains, especially with white or light-colored horses, means you can potentially bathe less, helping preserve those precious natural oils in the coat.Waterless shampoos can also be used for hot toweling in the winter. Just add a few glugs to a bucket of hot water. Using a washcloth or small towel, wring it out well, and begin toweling the horse. This pulls the stains and dirt to the surface where you can wipe them off without getting the horse fully wet, explains Stith-Burdette.Bathing TechniqueTechnique for bathing your horse matters, too. This includes a good sponge for thorough application and currying while the shampoo is on the horse, cleaning down to the skin and bringing all the dirt to the surface where it can be washed away. Youll also want to rinse the shampoo thoroughly from your horses coat, as leftover suds may cause dry, itchy skin, dandruff or dullness.When it comes to cleaning with any shampoo, having good water pressure always helps to get deep down into the coat to clean, according to Katzev. He also recommends good basic tools in your bath kit, such as a sponge and sweat scraper. Grooming gloves or a currycomb will also help with that deep clean.After bathing your horse, Katzev suggests taking the time to inspect the results, noting that your horse may not be fully clean. Often, he says, dander and fine dirt under the coat are the culprits for a less than stellar shine. In addition to causing a dull appearance, that dirt and dander underneath the coat can irritate the skin if rubbed by a saddle, girth, or other tack, making cleanliness of more than superficial importance.To check that your horse is truly clean, Katzev advises running your hand backwards against the coat randomly in different areas on the horse to see if dander still exists underneath the hair.If you still see dirt or dander, you didnt wash [the horse] thoroughly, he says. In that case, you may need more of the shampoo applied directly to get better concentration of the product to clean instead of diluting it in a bucket. Plus, some good water pressure also helps for rinsing.If you groom and wash your horse regularly, Katzev notes that you will not need to use as much shampoo. However, he says the important thing is to try to keep your horse comfortable, because dirty skin can get itchy and dry.Again, he says it may take some trial and error to see what works best for you and your horse, but the results should speak for themselves. If your true desire is shine for the coat, then [it] will obviously show on the final finish, says Katzev.Color-Enhancing ShampoosColor-enhancing shampoos are made for bringing out the best of your horses coat color. They whiten or brighten and are designed to complement your horses hue.You will see the difference using the right formula; a good color-enhancing formula will optically brighten and enhance coat appearance, altering the way the light interacts with each hair shaft, says Devon Katzev, president of Straight Arrow, makers of the Original Mane n Tail product line, as well as Cowboy Magic and Exhibitors brand, which is known for its line of color-intensifying shampoos: Quic Silver, Quic Black and Quic Color.Whitening shampoos lift stains from the hair gently, without bleach or chemicals, and have a purple cast to counteract green stains or yellowing in the hair coat.Whitening shampoos have a purple tone that combats green and yellow stains. Photo by Shelley PaulsonBlack and dark coat enhancing shampoos reduce unwanted red tones, while chestnut shampoo adds coppery highlights, and palomino brightens golden tones.Color-enhancing shampoos can be used regularly if you want to keep bumping the color up, or just used whenever the color needs a boost, according to Stith-Burdette.Be sure to follow the directions on the label. In general, color-enhancing shampoos are intended to be used full-strength and not diluted. They typically need to sit on the coat for several minutes to work their magic. Take care not to leave whitening shampoo on longer than recommended, or it may leave a purple tint behind.ConditioningConditioners add essential moisture to soothe and nourish skin, strengthen hair, and add smoothness and shine. You can use a rinse-out product while bathing your horse, and there are also leave-in products to provide additional conditioning, including sprays and grooming oil. If youre not familiar with grooming oil, choose a product made for horses. After bathing, add a dollop to a bucket of rinse water, sponge it all over, then body scrape the horse. Or just pour some on a rag and run it over the horse after your everyday grooming routine, says Stith-Burdette.It might feel like an extra step to add a conditioner, but when you consider the damaging environment that a horses hair and coat endure, from the sun and harsh weather to dirt, sand and sweatplus frequent bathing that can strip the oils from the skin and coatthe extra moisture is beneficial.Conditioners are very important for hair care because they help strengthen and nourish hair with proteins and essential oils, allowing for healthier hair growth, says Katzev. If your goal is fuller, thicker, longer manes and tails, then conditioning is a must.Detangling Manes and TailsDetanglers work by creating a friction-free slip that helps reduce tangles and knots. They also add conditioners to strengthen hair, prevent damage and make manes and tails more manageable. In the quest for a long, flowing mane and tail, a good detangling product is a go-to. When it comes to spray detanglers versus serum detanglers, which should you use?Both types of products approach the same problem in a different way, says Katzev. Spray detanglers are usually water-based emulsions designed to spread out quickly over hair without necessarily having to use your hands. For quick touch-ups and daily maintenance, this application will speed up [your grooming], plus it lasts for days and will be more economical.Spray detanglers are great for everyday usage, while serums tackle more heavy-duty knots. Photo by Nomad_Soul/Adobe StockStith-Burdette notes that its important to give the product time to work before you start brushing or combing the hair.If youre using it to detangle a tail, just spray the tail really well, she says. Let it sit for a few minutes, then start brushing from the bottom of the tail up. Give it a minute to start unraveling a little bit so youre not ripping out a lot of hair.Serum or gel detanglers are more concentrated and are applied by hand to the mane and tail.Serums can be helpful in heavily knotted hair when your concern is to work it out by hand and detangle carefully to prevent any excess tearing of the hair, says Katzev. They also have a thickening and smoothing effect, plus [make] a great overall appearance and shine.To apply, Katzev recommends pouring the serum into your hands first and working through the hair.Time to ShineSilicone-based coat polish and shine sprays will give your horse an extra glow and help repel dust and dirt to cut down your grooming time. The silicone coats the hair shaft, making it more difficult for stains to set and preventing mud from clinging to the coat.These products can be used daily, but their effectiveness also relies on clean hair, so washing is important, says Katzev.These sprays do double duty to detangle manes and tails, and as an added bonus, are also good at preventing blanket rubs, allowing the blanket to slide over the coat without friction.Coat polish spray can be applied after bathing while the horse is wet (after removing excess water). To apply to a dry coat, groom your horse thoroughly first to remove dust and dirt. Spray evenly, let it dry for a few minutes, and then buff to a shine with a towel or brush. These products are slick, so be careful to avoid the saddle and girth area. Youll also want to skip manes or tails that will be braided soon, since the hair needs to be a little grippy.Oil-based finishing sprays offer a highly reflective shine for the show ring, but they arent designed for everyday use. The oil attracts dust, so these products are best reserved for right before going into the ring.Key TakeawayWhile elbow grease is the tried-and-true path to a shiny coat, busy equestrians often fall short on time to devote to currying and brushing.There is no substitute for elbow grease when it comes to a megawatt shine. Photo by Geza Farkas/Adobe StockWere all in a hurry, it seems, says Stith-Burdette. We try to give you tools to use, and make sure that they will not hurt the horse over time by drying out their skin or damaging their hair.Ultimately, Katzev believes the way we perceive grooming is importantto value the process and not see it as a chore. Instead, he says, think of grooming as quality time to spend with your horse, and enjoy it.Take the time if you can with your equine friend and enjoythats why you are both together, he says.Further Reading 10 Horse Grooming Hacks Grooming Makeover Tips with Emma Ford Pro Tips for Better Horse Show GroomingThis article about grooming tips from experts appeared in the May 2024 issue of Horse Illustratedmagazine.Click here to subscribe!The post Grooming Tips from Industry Experts appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.
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