Dusty coat on dark coloured horse

[Lucyad]

I was a bit shocked at the state of my horses bum when I looked behind me the last time I rode. it is all dusty with pale grease and dust! He is bloody big, and I probably dont reach up to groom it much! I tend to just brush the bits that get tack on....

It has built up since mid summer - it was so wet I didnt like to bathe it off, as the grease forms the waterproofing. He is now rugged so doesn't need waterproofing and looks a mess. What do you think? Bath in winter . I wouldn't be at all popular! Major grooming sessions on ladder to get it out? Any fast track tips? Loads of coat shine to disolve it (wishful thinking perhaps?). Groom wiht long arms?

 

[rtk]

You can move some of the dirt and dust without bathing. I use a cloth dipped in hot water and then wrung out until nearly dry. I then rub this through the coat, when it cools down or the cloth is filthy, rinse it out and do it again.

I can actually get ours clean enough to show this way, but it takes longer than bathing.

 

[Siogfinsceal]

if you are going to wash him mix dettol and fairy up liquid into hot water and lather him up (scrubbing with a rubber curry helps) its great for removing grease and grime from coats! Chuck a sweat sheet on him straight away after. If you are worried about him getting cold put some methylated spirits in the final rinse water helps to dry them quickly. We wash lots of ours in winter before they are clipped and they are fine.

If your not washing him - get some baby wipes they are excellent for coat cleaning! a grooming block is great too.

 

[Roseanne]

Baby wipes can help to get some of the surface dust off, but if you don't want to wash and rinse in this cold weather, just use the type of shampoo which doesn't need rinsing off - I use a J/cloth and dampen it with the diluted liquid, then wipe my mare over with it. It obviously isn't as efficient as a proper shampoo and rinse, but in this cold weather, does it really matter?

Roseanne xxx