How to wash a horse who doesn't like water? - Horse Forums - Horse Topics & Answers - Horse Training & Trainers

*rallen03* · 03-22-2008,

I just got her she is 3 and runs away when I fill up her water bowl and when the sprinklers come on. She starts bucking and running in the pasture? How to wash her if she is scared of water. I'm guessing she had a bad experience in the past the people I got her from say they've only washed her once... She needs it bad.. her tail looks like a giant knot... any ideas in getting it out without cutting it.. I did have to cut a piece of it there was a piece of barbed wire wound up through the middle of her tail that i had to cut out already. she has not been brushed or bathed in about a year and a half.

*rosita* · 03-22-2008,

Quote:

Originally Posted by rallen03

I just got her she is 3 and runs away when I fill up her water bowl and when the sprinklers come on. She starts bucking and running in the pasture? How to wash her if she is scared of water. I'm guessing she had a bad experience in the past the people I got her from say they've only washed her once... She needs it bad.. her tail looks like a giant knot... any ideas in getting it out without cutting it.. I did have to cut a piece of it there was a piece of barbed wire wound up through the middle of her tail that i had to cut out already. she has not been brushed or bathed in about a year and a half.

Hey rallen. This is just from my experience with these things:
tail and mane knots--you don't have to spend alot on horse-only products, I learned from a very knowledgeable horseman that WD40 spray lubricant worked in really well (might take a couple few times) will help immensely in combing out those mats. Avon's Skin So Soft oil blended half and half with water is great for maintenance--just get her used to that spray sound and feel. I did a Walking Horse gelding, and his breeding stallion, both tails and manes were like dreadlocks--took some time, but got it out. The gelding hates spray stuff, so I was careful to not let him hear it (bury in snarl).
water: sounds for sure like someone might have just started spraying her without any kind of adjustment. Be very patient and easy moving, see how she reacts to the hose. Are you putting water in the bucket when she's in her stall? Or is it in a paddock? Whichever, she needs to get used to the hose AND water coming out of it AND the sound it makes. We never know what a horse has experienced when we don't start them from birth!!!

When I've trained my horses to water, I tie them to hitching post (or cross ties), get hose, let them get used to just hose, no water on first. Gosh, it could be a giant snake!!! Try eventually to sack her out with the hose, running it across her body (still off!!!) to show her it won't hurt her. After a few sessions of this, when she is completely comfortable with the hose, start by just using the hose, not a spray nozzle, and talk gently while you start at her feet and eventually work your way up. Give her lots of praise, if you give her treats this is a good time. Every time she gets boogery, ease back some but don't stop or she'll train you!!! If she goes hogwild, then you'll need to stop, calm her down, then start again. You need to be persistent and patient. Some horses never take to a spray nozzle, but you may even get her to where she'll drink water from the hose. Baby steps!!! Great luck and happy trails, Renee

*rallen03* · 03-24-2008,

Well I tried it she's not scared of the hose just the sound. Well I got her used to the sound and she was drinking from the hose then I started at her feet she was fine. I had her tied up to a post. I got to her shoulder she took off running slipped fell on her side stood up I calmed her down then she stood there and didn't move another muscle. I used the sweat scraper and towel to get most of the water off then i untied her and she ran out in the field and rolled in the mud and hay

*Terri_R* · 05-01-2008,

All of my animals, including horses, roll in the mud and hay if I do get them dried before released.

*JeneJen* · 05-01-2008,

Jackson does a pretty dance when I bathe him, and as soon as he gets out he rolls as much as possible. It's a given.lol

*P8ntCrazy* · 05-01-2008,

Years ago we had bought a young brood mare that didn't like bathes. She would set back and flip herself over. So here is what we did and she doesn't mind them at all now. With horses that are really scared I don't like to tie them as it creates a whole other set of problems, let alone run the risk of hurting or killing herself. Use a round pen, outdoor stall, or a run on a stall. The biggest thing is to make sure you can reach the whole pen with the hose. I have a nozzle that has a gentle shower that I use attached to my 100 foot hose in a 30-40 foot round pen. I stand in the middle with them on an 8ft cotton lead and let them run around me in a circle, almost like they are lunging around me and I keep spraying them until they settle down even a little then I would give her a break, and then start again. It they are to much to handle on the line then turn them loose in the pen and spay up over them and let it fall down like rain, that is how I do it when they are on the line also. That's why you get a little wet so pick a warm day.

When she would settle down even a little at first go from a run to a trot we would stop for the day and pick it up the next time and I would ask for a little more each time. Good thing is we have hot summers that start early so it makes it easy.

Hope this helps

*WarPony Creations* · 05-27-2008,

I have to agree with not tying them, when I got my horse Romeo he came in with a mile long list of problems (mostly behavioral) one of which was HATING baths (he would try to bolt, flip over and kick the water/me), we have a wash stall with cold and hot water and cross ties, he hated being in there, and would attempt to flip over when i would turn the water one, so aside from not being able to tie him (when tied he would try to hurt himself) i couldn't bathe him either... so what I did was (it took about a 10 times)
had another person with me, and had them hold on to him with a lunge line ( a regular lead is too short and wont work) i gently talked to him while while i SLOWLY ran the hose near and across him, eventually after he became ok with it, i would do it (on another day) with the water on but on touching him... each time making baby steps... eventually you will be able spray him off, horses always move away from things they dont like or are scared of, so if you spray the water above the (like a shower) they usually will not rear,(mind you this is after at least a wk or 2 of conditioning to the hose and sound of water) and the lunge rope is in use to allow her to move around, however when SHE stops movement you STOP with the hose... she will learn to associate good behavior (i.e. not moving) with the water stopping.

OH and any FYI Romeo (my much loved psycho horse) now loves baths and is ok being tied (so there is HOPE

) however, him i use cold or cool water on him he prances around and freaks out, he LOVES steaming hot bathes, so maybe in conjunction with other things water temp is an issue also?

just a thought

Karen