How do you get a horse used to baths?

Question

my mare hates getting baths. we get her wet with a hose thats partially shut off (so it comes out slow) or else by pouring it over her with a cup. i know shes not scared of the hose or the sound of the water, she just really doesn't like having the water, even at a slow drizzle or poured from a cup getting on her. what are some ways to get her used to the water?

thanks

Ayshaya

Answer 1

use a sponge. cuz then it doesnt drizzle on her. i mean it isnt like pouring on her. it might drip down, but you just keep doing it until she doesnt mind, then start doing it with a normal hose. like keep the spray on "shower" or something soft. and work up to it. thats really the only way

Answer 2

just give her a bath everyday, she'll finally see it as a part o life

Answer 3

I agree with Bobbi, just start at the bottom and work your way up. That's how I get my babies used to getting baths.

Answer 4

I agree with Lost In My Office :)

My horse is a prime example...he LOVES, and I mean LOVES, water (he used to swim in the lake with the dogs and loves water jumps xD) but for some odd reason he just want stand still for a bath. He moves around and gets all jumpy, even if I USE A SPONGE (sometimes he actually hates that worse)

Since, I know he isn't scared I ahve narrowed it down to 1) water tempurature or 2) he is just impatient lol

Like the other person said...if she isn't totally spazzing out nad just kind of moves in a circle I would fret over it, just don't spray her face..use a sponge because spraying in the face causes alot of horses to start hating the hose :P

Good Luck...and try to get to a place that has hot/cold water and hose her in warm water, and see if ti makes any diffrence :D

Answer 5

I have two here at our rescue that i don't think ever had a bath in their lives.  Now its been really hot here and i go out during the day and hose off all the horse, they roll get dirty but we are having fun.  These two went crazy, so i went in their corrals and hosed down the area totally ignored what they were doing and they finally figured i wasn't leaving.  I then started at their legs, then would turn away and hose the area.  Finally they got it that the water feels good and now i can walk in there with a hose and they come to me.  Both had issue far beyond the water thing and now i can do anything with them, now them letting others do this we are working on.  All the horses here are trained to do things untied, i do tie them to when i want to but i want anyone to be able to work with them without grabbing a halter and lead.  They all bath standing where i put them.  

If you try this way you need to make sure your safe but don't let the horse see you react as they bounce every where.  Try using the water as it naturally flows out the hose and not use a sprayer or your thumb over it.  

Answer 6

Begin at the bottom of the feet with your hose, spraying lightly. Of course, in the summer, the water will feel good, in the winter, you will want to bathe her in a heated area.   Once she accepts what little you are doing on all four feet, work up to the knees all of the way around and stay there until she stands still...don't go past her belly until she totally accepts what you are doing from her chest, under her belly and between her legs...keep working upwards until she is desensitized to the water.  When you get to the back and the face, you might want to take off the sprayer and turn the water pressure down a bit and just continue until she stands quietly.  Reinforce all of this with a quiet, reassuring voice and it will work. Don't get in a hurry and don't take shortcuts.  Once you complete the process, scrape or brush her down...repeat each day until you see that she finally really accepts it and trusts you.  Just make sure that you have her tied safely.

Answer 7

Well, Spray it gently once a week instead of bathes.them rub lotion on it and spray it off  once a week.Thenfinally, it should be ready for a bath!

Answer 8

First things first, water temperature makes all the difference in the world.  If it's summer time, I wouldn't worry about using warm water.  In the winter, I don't bathe ever unless it's absolutely imperative.  If I have to, I always choose the warmest part of the day, warm water, and work at getting dry as quickly as possible.

Secondly, some horses just hate water that isn't on the ground.  The best way to work on desensitizing her is work from the ground up.  Don't start with the head, neck, or back like we're inclined to because it's right there.  Water pressure doesn't seem to be an issue but I have a lovely "shower" setting on my nozzle that works beautifully.  Another method I've found useful, particularly in young or inexperienced horses, is to work up a sweat then allow them to dry for a little while without grooming so they're itchy.  I even had a youngster one time that wanted to drag me into the wash stall very time we passed it because he liked the warm scrub down.

Unfortunately, she may never like it.  If she's not behaving dangerously during the bath, I wouldn't force the issue.  Good luck!

Answer 9

I agree with the method of getting your mare's hooves wet first. It's kind of like how we dip our feet in first to get used to the water and test it out. If you gently spray her feet, it'll help her get used to the temperature of the water and then slowly work your way up!  

Answer 10

It might be the water temperature...hose water is freezing! Some horses just are sensitive to cold...try using a bucket with cool not cold water and sponging her instead.