Bath time issues

[rachk89]

So my horse hates baths and unfortunately is grey. He tries biting me when I clean his face in particular with his left side. Hot water makes no difference.

Other than the usual repetition and use treats is there anything else anyone has done to get a horse to like baths or shall I just accept I will always have a light orange horse? I don't really expect any suggestions as I doubt there is anything else but figured it was worth a shot. Cheers

 

[Meredith]

One of my horses is a little headshy. I have to go carefully. She doesn't like gentle touches above her eyes or near her ears but she will let me brush quite hard to get mud off in those places. If I need to 'wash' round there I use a damp cloth after brushing her. She accepts it more quietly. Some horses don't like water dripping from anywhere, let alone their heads. Perhaps 'pretend' washing without water or with only a very little will get him used to it. I hope it improves for you both.

 

[iconique]

Have you tried any of the mud away type of products?
I have palominos and find if you keep the area moisturised (as in conditioned rather than keep washing with stuff) it stops the hair wanting to absorb the dirt? That way washing might become less? Mine don't mind washing but face is a little harder! Ive always conditioned for the manes, but tried one of those mud repellants and got to say for once the mud didn't seem to stick, but had to spray first??

 

[rachk89]

That's a good idea meredith i will try that a few times a week with him. He is a sensitive horse anyway it took ages to get him used to just being brushed and to pick out his feet.

I might try that too iconique. Anything to make this easier for him is appreciated. I don't like angering him like this as he doesn't bite me aggressively otherwise and it's obvious he doesn't want to do it but feels he has to to get his point across.

Been considering trying baby shampoo for no tears incase it's irritating his eyes. Just the first i washed his face he loved it but i think i accidentally once got it in his eyes and since then he has hated it. Anyone else tried that or is that a bad idea for a horse?

 

[iconique]

i personally won't use baby shampoo, it dries everything else and for a fussy horse isn't easy to get out, i use a horse shampoo then love this conditioner as you can leave it in!! http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&...vptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_7vwjvbqbt2_b

But also remember they aren't meant to be washed and the more you wash.... bit like human hair! Damp cloth with nothing beats most things, especially if you have a sensitive horse.

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

Can you hot towel him rather than bathing? Is it the water dripping off him that he objects to? We had one that you couldn't even sponge bath as she hated the feel of the water.

 

[Micropony]

I've always had bays so not quite the same bath imperatives, but for heads I have always used just plain tepid water on a well wrung out cloth or well squeezed sponge. Have never shampooed a horse's head.
Do others?

 

[windand rain]

I use cheap and cheerful baby bath as you can leave it if you cant get it all out. smells lovely too. For her head which she hates being done I dip a cloth in the bathy water and wring out thoroughly before really scrubbing as she hates it if it tickles. Mind you after a bath a week for 15 years she is usually being a pain but warm water helps

 

[AppyLover]

My boy hates water last summer i tried to give him a bit of a bath as he's only a baby still thought best to get him used to it when he is younger (I had washed his legs previously with no issue at all) and it resulted in me getting through 2 legs before he tried to kick me in the head and I worked out its due to him being ticklish he acts like I'm trying to kill him if i splash him with water from the trough in the summer , I have no idea how on earth he doesn't have a melt down every time it rains as I can't see the difference but oh well its something we can work on as he grows

 

[Auslander]

it's obvious he doesn't want to do it but feels he has to to get his point across.

Horses don't think like that. He doesn't want to be bathed, and he's objecting - simple as. Doesn't really matter why he objects, there are a million reasons why horses don't like something. What's important is that he learns to be civilised about being handled, even when it's something he doesn't really fancy.

I find the most effective approach is to tie the horse up, on cross ties if possible, so that he can't take a swing at you, then calmly and matter of factly get on and do what you want to do, ignoring any protests - -and don't back off when he does object. Just keep going, and keep ignoring the tantrums. Don't feed him treats, don't talk to him, pat him or otherwise engage with him. Just get him bathed, then you can give him a pat and tell him he's a good boy - job done.

If you start negotiating (treating, patting, sweet talking)with a horse that's trying to scare you off - you're already losing the battle.

 

[chillipup]

Horses don't think like that. He doesn't want to be bathed, and he's objecting - simple as. Doesn't really matter why he objects, there are a million reasons why horses don't like something. What's important is that he learns to be civilised about being handled, even when it's something he doesn't really fancy.

I find the most effective approach is to tie the horse up, on cross ties if possible, so that he can't take a swing at you, then calmly and matter of factly get on and do what you want to do, ignoring any protests - -and don't back off when he does object. Just keep going, and keep ignoring the tantrums. Don't feed him treats, don't talk to him, pat him or otherwise engage with him. Just get him bathed, then you can give him a pat and tell him he's a good boy - job done.

If you start negotiating (treating, patting, sweet talking)with a horse that's trying to scare you off - you're already losing the battle.

^^^^ This, good common sense advice.

 

[zigzag]

That's a good idea meredith i will try that a few times a week with him. He is a sensitive horse anyway it took ages to get him used to just being brushed and to pick out his feet.

I might try that too iconique. Anything to make this easier for him is appreciated. I don't like angering him like this as he doesn't bite me aggressively otherwise and it's obvious he doesn't want to do it but feels he has to to get his point across.

Been considering trying baby shampoo for no tears incase it's irritating his eyes. Just the first i washed his face he loved it but i think i accidentally once got it in his eyes and since then he has hated it. Anyone else tried that or is that a bad idea for a horse?

Baby shampoo still stings the eyes!! Try getting it in your eyes, it hurts lol ,

 

[rachk89]

Horses
don't think like that. He doesn't want to be bathed, and he's objecting - simple as. Doesn't really matter why he objects, there are a million reasons why horses don't like something. What's important is that he learns to be civilised about being handled, even when it's something he doesn't really fancy.

I find the most effective approach is to tie the horse up, on cross ties if possible, so that he can't take a swing at you, then calmly and matter of factly get on and do what you want to do, ignoring any protests - -and don't back off when he does object. Just keep going, and keep ignoring the tantrums. Don't feed him treats, don't talk to him, pat him or otherwise engage with him. Just get him bathed, then you can give him a pat and tell him he's a good boy - job done.

If you start negotiating (treating, patting, sweet talking)with a horse that's trying to scare you off - you're already losing the battle.

I did that this time and got the same reaction. I kept ignoring him as he was going for me but he still did it. It's just gonna take time I guess. My dad didn't help though by "helping". I got squashed more than once because of him. Keeping him away from the horse in future baths.

Going to try washing his head every so often with a damp cloth and see how he does with that.

 

[Auslander]

I did that this time and got the same reaction. I kept ignoring him as he was going for me but he still did it. It's just gonna take time I guess. My dad didn't help though by "helping". I got squashed more than once because of him. Keeping him away from the horse in future baths.

Going to try washing his head every so often with a damp cloth and see how he does with that.

Cross ties! Seriously - it will make you safe, and stop him from being able to bite you or squash you. In the absence of cross ties, get hold of his headcollar by the cheekpiece - he won't be able to bite you then.

Thinking "It will take time" isn't the right mindset. Every time you don't succeed, he's got one over on you, so it's important to calmly insist that he does as he's told every time. Even if he's scared (and it doesn't sound like he is!) being matter of fact and insisting he does as he's told will give him confidence. Horses respond better to clear, firm leadership than to people fannying around with them. Not that I'm suggesting you are, just that you may be over-fussing him in an attempt to make it nice for him.

I've got one who, despite being 19 years old, and a former advanced dressage horse (so very well used to bathing/trimming/clipping/travelling) will throw hissy fits about everything, just because he knows he's a big strong horse, and he's obviously got people to back off him in the past! I have never hit him, pushed him around, or got cross with him - but I don't take any crap from him. If he prats about when I get the hose out, the hose does't go away until he shuts up. If he's a wally about the clippers, the clippers keep running til he gives up, and if he's naughty to load - he goes on and off the box until he goes first time and stands quietly on the box for as long as I want him to. There's no meeting in the middle - he does what I want, when I want.
We have a great relationship - far better than when I used to pander to his silliness!

 

[windand rain]

Cross ties! Seriously - it will make you safe, and stop him from being able to bite you or squash you. In the absence of cross ties, get hold of his headcollar by the cheekpiece - he won't be able to bite you then.

Thinking "It will take time" isn't the right mindset. Every time you don't succeed, he's got one over on you, so it's important to calmly insist that he does as he's told every time. Even if he's scared (and it doesn't sound like he is!) being matter of fact and insisting he does as he's told will give him confidence. Horses respond better to clear, firm leadership than to people fannying around with them. Not that I'm suggesting you are, just that you may be over-fussing him in an attempt to make it nice for him.

I've got one who, despite being 19 years old, and a former advanced dressage horse (so very well used to bathing/trimming/clipping/travelling) will throw hissy fits about everything, just because he knows he's a big strong horse, and he's obviously got people to back off him in the past! I have never hit him, pushed him around, or got cross with him - but I don't take any crap from him. If he prats about when I get the hose out, the hose does't go away until he shuts up. If he's a wally about the clippers, the clippers keep running til he gives up, and if he's naughty to load - he goes on and off the box until he goes first time and stands quietly on the box for as long as I want him to. There's no meeting in the middle - he does what I want, when I want.
We have a great relationship - far better than when I used to pander to his silliness!

you and me both need a like button for this post

 

[rachk89]

Cross ties! Seriously - it will make you safe,
and stop him from being able to bite you or squash you. In the absence of cross ties, get hold of his headcollar by the cheekpiece - he won't be able to bite you then.

Thinking "It will take time" isn't the right mindset. Every time you don't succeed, he's got one over on you, so it's important to calmly insist that he does as he's told every time. Even if he's scared (and it doesn't sound like he is!) being matter of fact and insisting he does as he's told will give him confidence. Horses respond better to clear, firm leadership than to people fannying around with them. Not that I'm suggesting you are, just that you may be over-fussing him in an attempt to make it nice for him.

I've got one who, despite being 19 years old, and a former advanced dressage horse (so very well used to bathing/trimming/clipping/travelling) will throw hissy fits about everything, just because he knows he's a big strong horse, and he's obviously got people to back off him in the past! I have never hit him, pushed him around, or got cross with him - but I don't take any crap from him. If he prats about when I get the hose out, the hose does't go away until he shuts up. If he's a wally about the clippers, the clippers keep running til he gives up, and if he's naughty to load - he goes on and off the box until he goes first time and stands quietly on the box for as long as I want him to. There's no meeting in the middle - he does what I want, when I want.
We have a great relationship - far better than when I used to pander to his silliness!

There's no where to do cross ties unfortunately. I usually do grab his halter and force him through it but at times I wonder if I am making it worse. I don't pander to him if he dodges the hose it goes on him til he stands still. If he snatches his hoof away while picking it out it goes up again til he stands still. I do the same with his face and when cleaning him but it's made no difference except make him aggressive. I have tried training him to be ok with clippers but he gets very stressed with the noise of them he needs sedated for clipping or he rears.

I set down firm ground rules with him from the day I got him. Made him realise I was the one in charge not him and he does respect me. But this he can't handle and he is sensitive anyway he can't stand his mane being pulled and at times brushing makes him weird still but I just ignore him and continue doing it. I just dont want the washing behaviour escalating anymore than it has and i dont know if i am just making it worse. Think i might ask the yard owner to help me one time and see if i am doing anything wrong.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

My grey hates being bathed too. She doesn't bite, but it obviously distresses her and she is normally very amenable and loves being groomed. Therefore i don't bath her, she is hot clothed or spot cleaned with cowboy magic. She comes up just as well and I don't have a distressed horse on my hands, so it's win, win in my eyes.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

So my horse hates baths and unfortunately is grey. He tries biting me when I clean his face in particular with his left side. Hot water makes no difference.

Other than the usual repetition and use treats is there anything else anyone has done to get a horse to like baths or shall I just accept I will always have a light orange horse? I don't really expect any suggestions as I doubt there is anything else but figured it was worth a shot. Cheers

Try cross tying him so he cannot bite


I would work on his legs first and get him, better there or tail and work on improvement before washing any other part

 

[rachk89]

Try cross tying him so he cannot bite


I would work on his legs first and get him, better there or tail and work on improvement before washing any other part

His legs and tail tend to be ok even body sometimes he will put up with. But his face he is very unhappy about and I wish hot clothing would work but I am not sure it will. He is one of those that 'washes' himself in his food so you can imagine the state of his face and that goes all the wayoup to his ears somehow.

Why didn't i buy a bay?!

 

[Prince33Sp4rkle]

Horses don't think like that. He doesn't want to be bathed, and he's objecting - simple as. Doesn't really matter why he objects, there are a million reasons why horses don't like something. What's important is that he learns to be civilised about being handled, even when it's something he doesn't really fancy.

I find the most effective approach is to tie the horse up, on cross ties if possible, so that he can't take a swing at you, then calmly and matter of factly get on and do what you want to do, ignoring any protests - -and don't back off when he does object. Just keep going, and keep ignoring the tantrums. Don't feed him treats, don't talk to him, pat him or otherwise engage with him. Just get him bathed, then you can give him a pat and tell him he's a good boy - job done.

If you start negotiating (treating, patting, sweet talking)with a horse that's trying to scare you off - you're already losing the battle.

this.exactly.

he's being rude and trying to get you to back off. ignore and proceed, you arent hurting him!

 

[stencilface]

Can all your ever so experienced people please come and hose off my mules feet?! Cross ties or no I don't think you'd succeed to go about it 'calmly and matter of factly'

You'd probably need to wear full riot gear, let alone a safety hat!

OP being the owner of a grey too, I say embrace the dirt, and for everything else there's rugs, hot clothing, and cowboy magic.

 

[rotters13]

I have a ridiculously ticklish horse to the extent that he can't really deal with a brush on his legs. It upsets him (he just snatches his legs and finds it ticklish!) so I use one of those grooming mitt things - he's happier, I'm happier. Some times things aren't worth the battle.

I also don't wash heads. He is hot-clothed but that's it and he comes up fine. He is also a filthy grey horse!

 

[rachk89]

Can all your ever so experienced people
please come and hose off my mules feet?! Cross ties or no I don't think you'd succeed to go about it 'calmly and matter of factly'

You'd probably need to wear full riot gear, let alone a safety hat!

OP being the owner of a grey too, I say embrace the dirt, and for everything else there's rugs, hot clothing, and cowboy magic.

Yeah his body is pretty much clean although i found a grass stain on his neck the other day (he wears full neck rugs - explain?!). Gonna try the hot clothing as I don't want to aggravate him further really and i dont want to lose his trust. Next time I clean him fully will be myself too or with the YO. But not my parents they do try and help but it ends up being not helpful.

 

[stencilface]

Hot clothing is a miracle (even if my boy objects to that lol) it just seems pointless to me to create aggro doing something that in essence is unnecessary. We spend all our ridden time trying to go for soft necks and soft mouths etc and then spend all our other handling time stressing them out and doing the exact opposite it seems to me sometimes

 

[9tails]

I've not washed my horse's face and I've owned her 8 years. I can do the rest with a hose and a bit of horse hokey cokey but she pulls away frantically if the hose goes anywhere near her head.

If her face is dirty, and she has a white face, I use baby wipes.

 

[LCH611]

I resolved to stop being so namby pamby about washing my horses' faces (and I have 4 greys) when I saw how the polo ponies at work got used to having their faces hosed every day when they are washed off. There are generally 100 in, with various ponies to-ing fro-ing as some get sold and some are flown in from around the world, and I have never seen any that didn't learn to deal with it & even seem to quite enjoy it.

 

[HashRouge]

Horses don't think like that. He doesn't want to be bathed, and he's objecting - simple as. Doesn't really matter why he objects, there are a million reasons why horses don't like something. What's important is that he learns to be civilised about being handled, even when it's something he doesn't really fancy.

I find the most effective approach is to tie the horse up, on cross ties if possible, so that he can't take a swing at you, then calmly and matter of factly get on and do what you want to do, ignoring any protests - -and don't back off when he does object. Just keep going, and keep ignoring the tantrums. Don't feed him treats, don't talk to him, pat him or otherwise engage with him. Just get him bathed, then you can give him a pat and tell him he's a good boy - job done.

If you start negotiating (treating, patting, sweet talking)with a horse that's trying to scare you off - you're already losing the battle.

I tend to agree with this, although I do talk as I'm going but only because I always talk!