What shampoo do you use? Fairy liquid on horses?

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ItsJzo

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I have seen this a couple of times, and have heard of mixed views so thought I would ask the more experienced on here..


Would you use Fairy Liquid (Or similar washing up liquid) to wash your horse? ALL over not just mane and tail..

I personally wouldn't as it has chemicals in it that are designed to cut through grease and the like and for obvious reasons over a prelonged period of time that will cause damage to horses skin. But I wouldn't say no to using on the tail. Wouldn't use on mane either, too close too the skin!
I use Gallop Extra Strength and/or something else thats horsey, but would be interested too see what human/horse alternatives people use?

Baby Shampoo? Medicated? etc etc

Your opinions?
 
I've used fairy for over 20 years on all my horses and none have reacted to it at all. I've also tried various horse shampoos but nothing I've tried gets them cleaner than fairy!
 
I was told that gallop extra strength had the same active ingredients as fairy liquid, but haven't ever got round to reading the backs on either of them.

Used everynow and again (assuming patch test done first as some are allergic/sensitive) it won't do any harm.

As for Baby shampoo - I don't know what is in Asda cheapy cheap stuff, but after the results if gets on my boys mucky white tail I am not sure I would put it any where near a baby!!

Bearing in mind some people use daz washing powder on tails AND manes I don't think washing up liquid is that bad :D
 
I use morrisons aloe and cucumber washing up liquid on my guys :D

I was using tesco OB baby shampoo but this stuff is lovely and their coats come up shinier with this than the baby shampoo and just as good as the WAHL showing shampoos I have for when I go proper showing :)
 
Absolutely not! I won't wash up without gloves 'cause Fairy (infact any washing up liquid) makes my hands feel vile, so there's no way I'd put it on my horse!

I am cheapskate and don't have a problem with hard to shift stains on my ponies, so I use Morrisons' own value baby shampoo at 9p a bottle. If it's good enough for babies......
 
Gallop extra strength has been tested on horses, fairy doesn't have the exact same ingredients and obviously hasn't been tested on horses, so too me thats enough reason not to try it but I guess if all you guys use it then it cannot be all that bad? I might have to give it a go!

I will do a patch test, and go from there.

I have Johnsons baby, and considered using that but someone else told me that baby shampoo is really bad for horses skin?

I just don't know! I have a very white cob, that I need to keep white!
 
I always use it on his white socks (gets them far cleaner than any thing else) and have used it on his whole body before with out an issue. He has a full tail wash weekly to stop him getting sweet itch with either anti dandruff shampoo or fairy if thats all thats to hand. I used to really like the tesco own brand pink shampoo as it smells so good but they dont seem to do it any more :mad: and he has johnsons baby shampoo for his face if we are competing if not I dont wash it as he isnt a fan.
 
My boy is a sensitive redhead so I only use naf tea tree shampoo :) Have heard the 'blue' fairy liquid is good for making yellow tails white again.
 
I always use Cowboy Magic or Bay Gallop, really makes her lovely and shiny. In the winter when we are competing then I will use a tiny bit of fairy liquid on her hind socks only.
 
G is currently sporting an apple shampoo smell and coconut conditioner. A nice treat at 50p a bottle compared to the tesco value human stuff he normally gets, the LUCKY boy... ;)
 
Have used fairy liquid for years on a number of horses and never had a problem...I always patch test the first time round just incase. At the end of the day you never know when you'll get a random reaction. But other than that, i use it everywhere except the face!
 
I always used Fairy Liquid as a child on my horses. I had a spotless grey and a palomino with a dazzling white tail. The only reason I prefer horsey shampoos nowadays is because they rinse out much easier - it used to take bucket after bucket with the Fairy! Interestingly, back then I kept my horses where I do now, and nothing had sweet itch or allergies, whereas everything seems to now - perhaps it was the fairy influence!

I think I have probably washed my own hair in fairy at some point!
 
Equi Wash by Lordington Lavender very gentle but very effective, they shine and smell nice, it is also a naturally antibacterial shampoo and have noticed flies steer well clear of those I wash in it..they also do a dog wash too..and great on white fur!they have a website if you google..well worth a try. Mine love it- they sniff themselves & have seen them following each other 'inhaling' deeply (complete with faces)after a bath & for a couple of days, very funny to watch

ETA I personally use Mane'N'Tale horse shampoo & their conditioner too...but that strictly stays in my bathroom!
 
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Would use Fairy on a greasy tail, but I find it strips the natural oils out and the coat goes
matt. I use mainly Tesco baby shampoo, or tea tree for Jasmine (she gets itchy)
When I had a grey cob, I used Wahl shampoo for greys (the purple one). Really gets the stable stains off!
 
I always use fairy on our coloured, fillers by another wash on his feathers with johnsons baby bath. its the only way Ive found to get him sparking, much cheaper than all those purple shampoos that don't work & he's never had any reaction to it despite having sensitive skin.

Blimey when I was growing up fairy was the only thing my mam washed my hair with & I had beautiful shiney locks!!! :D
 
I use Tesco apple & aloe vera shampoo i think its about 79p a bottle or something, it brings my babbas up lovely and clean and I was once asked by a judge how I got them so clean and when I told her she looked at me in amazement ha :D unless she didnt believe me :confused:

I dont buy the horsey shampoos I dont think they make any difference and are vastly overpriced but in reply to the OP I wouldnt use fairy either I just think its too harsh on their skin.
 
I personally don't use Fairy Liquid on horses however i have known of people that do, and also that it brings white socks etc up really white. Horsey shampoo wise I like the NAF shampoo, can't remember the name of it but its really good, one of the best ones i've found though is Tesco own brand tea tree shampoo, its really cheap, about £1 a bottle and is fab at getting the horses clean, and their white bits white!. Also works well on my grey/coloured too!.
 
I've always used baby shampoo of some kind - currently have superdrugs own brand, does the job about £1 (seems expensive after reading this thread!) - on white bits i use a horse specific white stain buster type shampoo, mane is done with what ever i have open - so normally the baby shampoo, tail is done with fairy. never had any horse have any reaction to any shampoos - although i have found that whenever bathing Connie for a competition always resulted in her then going and finding something disgusting to smear all over herself - regardless of how well rugged she was!! :D
 
Wouldn't use fairy liquid on a horse personally but know people who do.
My skin gets irritated from washing up liquid, so that also one of the reasons I wouldn't.

Usually use whatever has been bought last. It was one by NAF but just got the gallop black one.
 
Wilkos/Morrisons/Asda/Tesco's own brand value shampoo. Pretty much sure its all the same stuff. Will guaretee to leave your horse clean and shiney, and looking far better than having used that expensive horse shampoo.

If you have an especially filthy grey horse, I would suggest a pre-wash with soapflakes (they really shift the grime on a horse!), and then wash with above shampoo.

Also gets white bits really white. If going to a show, I then finish off with a chalk block, my gosh this works wonders!
 
When I first got Arthur I was far to over excited in the tackshop and bought some super dooper apple scented horse shampoo for £12. :o

Yes, they saw me coming! But, I have to say I love the smell and would probably buy again simply because it reminds me of the heady first weeks of horse ownership.......
 
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