removing stains from greys?

[sophtherider]

How do you remove your stable stains from grey horses without using shampoo etc? Is there a good brush or spray? He seems to enjoy getting as dirty/muddy/stained as possible and have a couple of shows lined up so don't want to walk in the ring with stains on him! Thanks in advance

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I use Cowboy magic green spot remover.

 

[PolarSkye]

OK . . . I find the only way to keep stains away, especially stable stains, is to keep on top of them. Mud, I can brush out with a decent brush and some elbow grease, but poo stains only shift with a decent stain remover and WARM water (much better than cold).

So . . . I start with washing up liquid (Waitrose own blue stuff - I think it's got eucalyptus in it) applied to a dry coat and rinsed with warm water, then I use a stain remover (Cowboy Magic is good), then if the stain is really stubborn I use Wahl Diamond White shampoo (not the most expensive but really, really works). For a white tail, I keep Kal's tail well brushed and apply Mane & Tail to help the muck slide off - it gets washed once a week - and in the winter, in the worst of the mud, I loose plait it and secure with a plaiting band.

I also hot cloth him every two weeks or so just to lift the dirt and grime away from his skin - particularly in the winter.

Yes . . . I am a bit anal . . . but Pops is always sparkling clean at shows .

P

P.S. It will be a whole different kettle of fish this winter if/when I turn him away and he isn't clipped and grows a coat like a yak!

 

[sophtherider]

OK . . . I find the only way to keep stains away, especially stable stains, is to keep on top of them. Mud, I can brush out with a decent brush and some elbow grease, but poo stains only shift with a decent stain remover and WARM water (much better than cold).

So . . . I start with washing up liquid (Waitrose own blue stuff - I think it's got eucalyptus in it) applied to a dry coat and rinsed with warm water, then I use a stain remover (Cowboy Magic is good), then if the stain is really stubborn I use Wahl Diamond White shampoo (not the most expensive but really, really works). For a white tail, I keep Kal's tail well brushed and apply Mane & Tail to help the muck slide off - it gets washed once a week - and in the winter, in the worst of the mud, I loose plait it and secure with a plaiting band.

I also hot cloth him every two weeks or so just to lift the dirt and grime away from his skin - particularly in the winter.

Yes . . . I am a bit anal . . . but Pops is always sparkling clean at shows .

P

P.S. It will be a whole different kettle of fish this winter if/when I turn him away and he isn't clipped and grows a coat like a yak!

wow that's a good routine I don't know how you stay on top of that! But I guess it's always worth it when you turn up at a show and you look the most sparkly! I'll give that a go and keep trying to keep some sort of routine like that up, the poo stains are the WORST!

 

[BSL]

Pretty much the same as Faracat and Polarskye. Cowboy magic greenspot remover, cowboy magic shampoo. Stay on top of stains, have to sponge my boy most days. Not quite so bad in the winter as rugged. Hot clothed more in the winter. Mud isn't too much of a problem as very silky coated even in winter.

 

[PolarSkye]

wow that's a good routine I don't know how you stay on top of that! But I guess it's always worth it when you turn up at a show and you look the most sparkly! I'll give that a go and keep trying to keep some sort of routine like that up, the poo stains are the WORST!

Honestly, if you stay on top of spot washing and wash the tail regularly (assuming the tail is white) it isn't that onerous. I will add, though, that if your horse lives out and is expected to weather all the wind and rain then washing it regularly isn't really fair because you strip all the natural oils out.

P

P.S. I'm just a tad OCD when it comes to my boy . . .

 

[Montyforever]

Elbow grease and a rubber curry comb! Then a quick wipe over with a baby wipe and ta-dah

 

[PolarSkye]

Elbow grease and a rubber curry comb! Then a quick wipe over with a baby wipe and ta-dah

Not my boy. I have worked myself to a sweat trying to brush stable stains out of his coat . . . not to mention his tail . . . he likes to use his poo as a pillow . . . spot washing is the only thing I have found that works . . . oh and hoods get shredded - given up with those too . . . GIT.

P

 

[Montyforever]

Not my boy. I have worked myself to a sweat trying to brush stable stains out of his coat . . . not to mention his tail . . . he likes to use his poo as a pillow . . . spot washing is the only thing I have found that works . . . oh and hoods get shredded - given up with those too . . . GIT.

P

Don't even go there with the tail .. She's flaxen i tell you .. Flaxen
Yep hoods are useless!

 

[Tiffany]

In summer, I just sponge stable stains off and mud is easy in that it brushes off. In winter I use 'elite water free horse shampoo by Horsewise' it's the only thing that works if I'm not sponging in winter. I also hot cloth about once a month

 

[Floofball]

Veredus Easy White is my weapon of choice against stains - can't beat it imo

 

[Doormouse]

Vanish soap bar. Get a small bucket of hot water, wet the bar, apply to dry coat and rub in well, wash off using a jay cloth and hot water. Used to be brilliant on the hunters in the winter so they didn't get too cold being got ready for hunting.

 

[Embo]

Elbow grease and a rubber curry comb! Then a quick wipe over with a baby wipe and ta-dah

Yep, this works well if you catch the stain it in time!

Also, sponging after exercise really works. Sometimes my horse will be filthy with stains. Go for a ride, get him nice and hot (but not that he's sweating all over). Just a good schooling session. Stains come out much easier.

I also use Cowboy Magic and Dirty Beastie shampoo. Tail gets saturated with tail conditioner!

I can cope with mud. He often comes in smothered and some of the other liveries look smug as he's so dirty... 15 mins later, after a good brush, their smiles are wiped off their faces! Not so easy with poop and pee stains

 

[sophtherider]

Thank you all for your suggestions, I will defo try them out!

 

[dibbin]

This thread may have saved my sanity, as the owner of a grey horse who gets greyer (and therefore greener and browner) as time goes on ...