Horse won’t stand to be washed

[That_midgit_equestrian]

Hi just wondering if anyone had any advice, I have a lovely (if not a bit bolshy) 13hh cob hes a good lad really but when washing him in general but particularly his legs he becomes quite dangerous dancing about and rearing, this has been an issue since we bought him and aparantly he didn’t do it in his old home. I show him so it is inconvenient but particularly now he has developed mud rash and it really needs seeing to I can’t get to it to clean it does anyone have any tips whatsoever as I’d really appreciate it

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Get a likit and get someone to hold him with it but they are probably sore so just try doing a leg at a time so it's not so stressful, you might find once the mud fever clears up he will be better.

 

[Wizpop]

If the lick it doesn’t work, maybe try a humane twitch? You need to keep safe.

 

[94lunagem]

I inherited one who doesn’t like the hose. She’ll tolerate it now, but I don’t push it or wash legs/bath unnecessarily. She lives out so it’s not really an issue. I just took it step by step, held hose next to her, then turned it on facing away, then aiming it on the ground next to hooves, then on hooves, then a bit further up. And so on and so on over a period of time. When she comes in for farrier, I wash off with a wet brush/sponge instead, or let dry and brush off.

Does he let you wash his legs with a bucket? I imagine the mud fever is making him sore, although he’s done it since you had him. While it clears up, try little and often and don’t let him walk all over you, but equally don’t push it. Have someone hold him rather than tied up, and wear a hat. Failing that, can you leave his legs to dry and brush off?

@Wizpop also makes a good suggestion to try a twitch

 

[meesha]

Have seen someone put a likit in a grazing muzzle, hands free method of distraction. They used the small horslyx.

 

[claret09]

Get a likit and get someone to hold him with it but they are probably sore so just try doing a leg at a time so it's not so stressful, you might find once the mud fever clears up he will be better.

great advice. take your time and be patient. you will get there if you are patient

 

[Boulty]

Daft question but are you using cold or warm water? The world ended if you used cold water to bath any part of the Welsh idiot I used to have unless it was boiling hot out but warm water would be tolerated under sufferance. When I was at a yard with a hot wash it was a revelation! No more millions of buckets if I needed to wash legs / tail in winter!

Other than that would agree with doing what you need to keep yourself safe right now but then work on making it a better experience in tiny steps when current issue is cleared up.

 

[Lizzyclarkeventing]

Use a horslyx they work great for our little cob! You can put it in a muzzle too. Also cross ties if you have access to them can keep the horse from spinning round.

 

[Maryann]

I have one who is a complete pain unless the water is almost hot. Then he is an angel. I saw the light and bought an urn.

 

[PoniesRock]

I have one who is a complete pain unless the water is almost hot. Then he is an angel. I saw the light and bought an urn.

This is the exact issue I had. Get home from a days hunting and she would be dreadful to wash off. Bought her a hot horse shower and she’s now a delight! Makes my life so much easier.

 

[That_midgit_equestrian]

Get a likit and get someone to hold him with it but they are probably sore so just try doing a leg at a time so it's not so stressful, you might find once the mud fever clears up he will be better.

Unfortunately we’ve already tried this and it does work for a little while on the body but as soon as we get to the legs he doesn’t care anymore

 

[That_midgit_equestrian]

I inherited one who doesn’t like the hose. She’ll tolerate it now, but I don’t push it or wash legs/bath unnecessarily. She lives out so it’s not really an issue. I just took it step by step, held hose next to her, then turned it on facing away, then aiming it on the ground next to hooves, then on hooves, then a bit further up. And so on and so on over a period of time. When she comes in for farrier, I wash off with a wet brush/sponge instead, or let dry and brush off.

Does he let you wash his legs with a bucket? I imagine the mud fever is making him sore, although he’s done it since you had him. While it clears up, try little and often and don’t let him walk all over you, but equally don’t push it. Have someone hold him rather than tied up, and wear a hat. Failing that, can you leave his legs to dry and brush off?

@Wizpop also makes a good suggestion to try a twitch

I might give a warm sponge a go he might respond to that a bit better. If he’s held he just gets more worked up and rears more putting danger onto the one holding him and yes I do leave it just to brush off as he’s getting better letting me touch them now as he’s been through points where he wouldn’t however with mud rash that needs to be cleaned and mud blocked every couple of days

 

[That_midgit_equestrian]

Daft question but are you using cold or warm water? The world ended if you used cold water to bath any part of the Welsh idiot I used to have unless it was boiling hot out but warm water would be tolerated under sufferance. When I was at a yard with a hot wash it was a revelation! No more millions of buckets if I needed to wash legs / tail in winter!

Other than that would agree with doing what you need to keep yourself safe right now but then work on making it a better experience in tiny steps when current issue is cleared up.

We’re on a very muddy working farm with only a cold hose so I understand why it’s unpleasant for him however he is like this in the warm anyway all throughout the summer I’m definitely going to give warm water a go

 

[That_midgit_equestrian]

I have one who is a complete pain unless the water is almost hot. Then he is an angel. I saw the light and bought an urn.

how much are they? Might be worth investing in one as what needs to be done needs to be done

 

[AmyMay]

how much are they? Might be worth investing in one as what needs to be done needs to be done

Just buy a Mud Daddy.

 

[LEC]

Just buy a Mud Daddy.

They are crap! Wish they worked better as the theory is great, the reality is poor to zero pressure.

 

[That_midgit_equestrian]

Just buy a Mud Daddy

What’s thT?

 

[Marigold4]

They are crap! Wish they worked better as the theory is great, the reality is poor to zero pressure.

I bought a Mud Daddy for my difficult to shower horse. In fact, the poor pressure was just what was needed. It takes a long time to wash him, but he will tolerate this level of gentle water flow. And because you can move it around easily, it's much easier than having him treading on or getting caught up in a hose. There is no escape!

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Not sure I would like to stand there and be sprayed with cold water!! Might be ok on a really hot day!! If its the mud fever you need to sort I would gently wash with water from a bucket or if he isn't heavily feathered them apply cream and clingfilm with a bandage to remove the scabs.

 

[Surbie]

I bring large thermos's of hot water to the yard and do a little bit at a time. We have a gas-fired shower thingy at the yard for a hot wash but it seems to be a bit fiddly to operate so I haven't given that a go yet.

The one at the RDA that hates his legs being touched is now tolerating a tiny dribble, so maybe the mud daddy would work? I don't like them because of the lack of pressure, but maybe that would be a bonus in this case?

Good luck - poor legs must be sore.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I must admit most horses like at least warm water unless it's very hot out and they are sweating I always use warm or hot water.

 

[MissTyc]

I have one who won't stand for cold water. Thermos flasks and a mud daddy full of hot water and he stands and enjoys. He also prefers a towel rub to a sponge or brush.

 

[Maryann]

how much are they? Might be worth investing in one as what needs to be done needs to be done

Around £100 I think, I've had mine a few years now and it is lovely to have hot water available in the barn.

 

[Lucky Snowball]

I agree with the ideas to try as suggested above. My horse was proving impossible and dangerous. One day I tied him up and sprayed the hose from the other side of the post and rail. As he swung and stamped I just kept spraying. Within just a few minutes he stood still so I stopped. Repeated a few times and he has been good ever since.

 

[Alibear]

Timing wise when he's not happy try to keep the hose on until he stands, even if it's for a nanosecond or even if he just seems to have considered behaving. If you remove the annoyance the instant he behaves you should eventually get to a point where he realises the easiest way to make the annoyance stop is to behave.

It is easier said than done.

 

[Birker2020]

Sorry didn't have time to read all the replies, but I was told to keep the hose on the horse until he accepts it. Oh, I see Alibear beat me to that answer!

The more you fuss and fa**y about the more the horse will get agitated or untrusting. Its like when you clean up a wound. You don't have to be unnecessarily rough but saying "oh there's a good boy" every few seconds whilst tickling it with a piece of cotton wool is just going to send the horse into orbit wondering what all the fuss is about. Whereas if you just get on with it, give it a good scrub, and give the horse a nice big pat and a 'well done' when its all over, in my experience you find the horse tolerates it a lot better.

 

[Wishfilly]

It sounds like it's all pretty uncomfortable for him, so you might have to lower your expectations a bit?

I agree with the suggestions to maybe use warm water and a sponge on his legs for now, and work on desensitising him to the hose over time? If it's causing him pain or discomfort at the moment, it'll likely just make him worse.

I'd also suggest clipping his feathers off if you haven't already so you can treat his mud fever more easily.

 

[That_midgit_equestrian]

Not sure I would like to stand there and be sprayed with cold water!! Might be ok on a really hot day!! If its the mud fever you need to sort I would gently wash with water from a bucket or if he isn't heavily feathered them apply cream and clingfilm with a bandage to remove the scabs.

Unfortunately he is heavily feathered that’s one of the issues we need them for the showing season he’s getting them off next year

 

[That_midgit_equestrian]

Hi everyone thank you for all your replies they have been super helpful tonight I’ve been down, I persisted by washing his legs off whilst I held him and my mum rinsed him we already have him in a Monty roberts because he’s quite Bolshy and sometimes needs putting in his place. I then went in to the mud rash with warm water and some baby soap and he was an angel were going to keep working at it but for now he’s doing well

 

[adamntitch]

If the lick it doesn’t work, maybe try a humane twitch? You need to keep safe.

A twitch just cause it won't stand to have legs washed glad am not owned by you twitches did have a place but out dated now and certainly not for such a small thing as leg washing