Washing cobs mane today?

[jenz87]

Ive got a bit of a dilemma.
Im taking my hairy trad cob to a dressage tomo ( our 2nd ever!)
I washed his long mane a few weeks ago when it was milder and all was fine. But for first time in a few months he has rolled in a muddy puddle yest!!
I need to clean him up today but its so cold!!
Do I just do it quickly and rug him up.
Do I get a few buckets of warm water. This could be dodgy as he has a lot of mane!
Or do we go dirty???

I dont want to be horrible by shoving a cold hose on him but he is so grubby!!!

Thanks xx

 

[ThePony]

Given the super frost we had this morning, I must admit that if it was me I wouldn't be washing. A super good groom, with the help of some mane and tail should have you looking smart again! With my (horrible bog pony) mare I give her a good groom each week then slather her in veg oil - legs, mane, tail, round ears, belly etc! She looks greasy for a day then stays lovely and clean. All the mud that she gets on in turnout falls off overnight as it drys - a pretty easy way of staying presentable with all this horrid mud!

Good luck for your dressage!!

 

[jenz87]

Thanks
I wouldnt even consider it if it wasnt for the show.
His mane is all white so thats the prob really. Its just gone black!

Sigh hes looked presentable fot weeks :/

 

[Janette]

What about 'hot clothing'. Get a cloth and soak it in water as hot as you can stand, with some Dettol in it, to cut through any grease. Then wring the cloth out sp that it is damp. Then rub it hard all over the mane.
The mane shouldn't get too wet, will probably look a lot cleaner, ( not perfect, but cleaner) and if you put a neck cover on, over a towel, should not be too that cold.

 

[Crackerz]

Washed all of my manes today in warm water. They were getting manky and I like to keep on top of it whenever i can.

No frost at ours today though

 

[mandwhy]

I have previously got creative with a bin bag or similar to put under the mane while you wash the mane on top of it, minimal water to start, lather and rinse carefully, do it in sections (you can take a section and sort of tie the bag up under it) then you can put the bit you've just washed in a towel and squeeze it dry, then they've just got a damp mane which isn't ideal but better than sopping wet neck and all!

I coat my haffy's mane in baby oil and when it dries just pick the mud out, it is hardly ever really muddy but I think some horses have better mud skills than others ;-)