Anyone who has daily contact with horses will know what a state they can get into and they don't seem to mind it either! If you own a horse, cleaning out the stable every morning can be met with something that's not unlike a good deal of grumpiness. Although not all horses are like this, the majority appear to prefer their straw all smelly and messed up. In fact, I'm sure you'll agree that once you've managed to work your way around the stable and have eventually got the clean straw all nicely laid out, the first thing your beloved horse does is roll on its back and mess it up (just the way they like it).
The Dangers of a Dirty Stable
The trouble with a dirty stable is straw will hide all sorts of mites, fleas and other parasites that can be a danger to your horse. Once they get their teeth into its skin, your horse could end up with allergies, bacterial and fungal infections; not to mention the various viruses that can take hold.
This can cause your horse to become agitated, even grumpier than usual and in some cases pretty ill. This is why it's important to not only keep the stable clean but that you have a daily hygiene routine for your horse as well.
The Hygiene Routine
Aside from a good brush every-day, your horse will need some extra help to keep its skin and coat in really good condition. One of the best ways to do this is to use a horse shampoo that's formulated to keep its coat looking its best but, will also make sure that any nasty parasites that might be lurking around are killed off.
Of course, you can't forget a mane tail shampoo as well. There are products on the market formulated specifically for this part of your horse's body and this needs just as much attention as the rest of its body.
Brands Available
A vet is possibly the best place to start if you're looking for a horse shampoo for the first time. They will be able to offer products that are tried and tested. However, you should keep an eye out for the ingredients. Many of the products a vet will offer you contain Benzoyl Peroxide which can be irritating, not just for the horse, but for you as well.
If you don't like the idea of this ingredient being present in shampoos you use, try looking for something that contains Thrixsolene. This ingredient is just as effective at killing any fleas, mites, ticks or other parasites that might be hiding on your precious pet. However, it's more natural and less harsh.
This ingredient is also very effective when used as part of a routine when your horse has contracted a skin condition due to these parasites so, it can be used with this as well. Just remember though that prevention is better than a cure.
If you want to make sure your horse is happy and healthy, you should most definitely use a horse shampoo as part of their daily hygiene routine. As we all know there is nothing worse than a grumpy horse!
