Of course, the main reason to bathe your horse is to get him or her clean. But, how many other benefits can you think of?

There are benefits not only for your horse but also for you. Here are a few of the benefits for your horse…

Your horse is clean of dirt, sweat, bugs, and burs
Your horse is cooler on a hot day
Bathing can reduce tension and anxiety, thereby relaxing and calming your horse
Your horse is happier because he gets to spend time with you
Your horse will get used to your touch and will feel more secure with you being close– Your horse will also be more trusting of your touch
You can massage your horse and help relieve any sore muscles
You can scratch your horse and not only get a deeper clean, but you can also relieve any itchiness he may have
You can keep your horse healthier by using this time to check for any cuts, scrapes, bites, injuries, bruises, pain, or swelling
Your horse will enjoy spending this time with you and doing what herds do together
You can use this time to allow your horse to get to know you, and your habits, better– This will help with any trust issues he has with you
You are removing the dead skin and hair in areas that are hard for your horse to reach
By massaging and scratching your horse while bathing, you are increasing the blood flow to the skin surface, as well as the natural oils.
Thereby, helping them get a nice shiny, healthy coat.
By washing your horse, especially in the spring and summer, you are getting rid of any infestations of botfly larvae that may be in your horse’s coat. Thereby, helping his health.– If your horse scratches and ingests these it could cause internal issues

How you bathe your horse, why you bathe your horse, and your attitude and thoughts while you bathe your horse are all important. You can make the whole procedure very simple and just bathe your horse to get him clean and do it quickly and efficiently. But, you will miss out on so much more that can happen during this exchange.

I love to take advantage of every moment I am with my horse to get to know him better and learn more about him, as well as teach him more about me. I love to make every encounter fun and enjoyable for both of us so we can continue to build on our great relationship.

Every relationship, whether human or horse, needs constant attention and work. I want to build on our foundation of trust, on our bond, and on our connection. I truly enjoy our two-way conversations. He is my best friend and I treat our relationship as such.

But bath time isn’t just for my horse, it also is good for me. Here are a few ways bathing your horse can also help you.

You get to spend quality time with your horse bonding and working on a deeper connection together
You can use this time to talk to your horse and listen, in order to build a stronger foundation of trust
You get to relax with your horse while helping him at the same time
The physical labor of washing your horse will also help tone your arms
You get to work on any of your horse’s trust or fear issues, which will help you feel more confident when you are around your horse
You will know if your horse is in good condition after checking him out, which will help you feel more secure about your horse’s health
Because your horse will be more trusting of your touch, it will be easier to get a halter on or other tack, pick up his feet, or to hold him for the farrier or vet visits
You get to know your horse better by observing him while cleaning and watching to see if he is anxious or fearful and why

So, bath time isn’t just work now, it’s an enjoyable time that you both get to spend with each other that benefits both of you. During my “bath time” with Jazz, we enjoy each other’s company, talk to each other, and work on any physical or emotional issues together as a herd.

Here are a few tips to think about when you are washing your horse…

Make sure your horse is comfortable when you choose your spot to wash your horse
Make sure you and your horse are safe
Be aware of your surroundings to keep you and your horse safe
Never surprise your horse with the hose or the water

Use a gentle spray or stream of water
When washing the back legs of your horse, stay close and be careful
Use your hands when possible to wash your horse so you can physically check for swelling, bumps, cuts, etc…
Pay attention to your horse’s attitude so you can help him with his trust or fear issues
Pay attention to where you are so you don’t get caught too close to a fence or in an area you could get hurt
Always keep a sturdy and secure stance
Don’t force or pressure your horse to do anything he is not comfortable with…like water on the face
Always stay calm, relaxed, and alertYour attitude should be positive and enjoy your time together
Pay attention to your horse and have a two-way conversation with him
Don’t splash cold water on your horse’s chest first, let that come after he is used to the water. A horse’s chest is a sensitive erogenous zone.

Just remember to enjoy every moment you have with each other and make it count!

The Benefits of “Bath Time” with Your Horse

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Teddie's Fundamentals

Training Lessons (TF)

Bonus Lessons (TF)

Foundation Of Trust

Introduction to a Foundation Of Trust

The Concept Stage

The Introduction Stage

The Proximity Stage

The Nourishment Stage

Bonuses (FOT)

Beginning The Connection

Introduction to Mark’s Journey

The Stallion Series

Kit’s Training Lessons

Danny Boy’s Training Lessons