Anyone use dish soap to wash your horse?

MI Racer · 08-19-2008, 10:37 PM

I'm all out of shampoo for my horses and they both REALLY need a bath. I would be sure to dilute it really well, that is if it is safe to do so. I will also be sure to rinse really well.

So in short, can you use very diluted dish soap to wash a horse?

FallenAngel · 08-19-2008, 11:47 PM

I've heard that Dawn (the blue stuff) Is awesome stuff to use.

DressageGirl22 · 08-20-2008, 04:58 AM

I have never. It would probably be okay on the tail, but I wouldn't use it anywhere else. It can have more chemicals than normal horse soaps. I also think it would dry out their skin. So you are better off just using horse shampoo in my opinion. Mane n' Tail is so cheap and you can find it at almost any grocery store.

shaiarabs · 08-20-2008, 05:14 AM

I think it might be better to wait till you get some new shampoo

you have to remember dish washing liquid is made to strip grease off your dishes so it will strip the natural greases off the coat as well

*iluvsam* · 08-20-2008, 05:17 AM

My friend always uses dish soap (fairy washing up liquid) neat on her horse's mane tail and coat, with no problems.
-Alex

Arrow · 08-20-2008, 05:18 AM

I wouldn't. Of course I've only washed Arrow with any kind of soap once in a year and a half--grooming and hosing off sweat is enough for me. Still--dish soap is detergent, too harsh. Why not go to the shower and get your human shampoo and use that if you're in a hurry?

Kicks · 08-20-2008, 07:56 AM

I have with no problems using off and on over the years. Original Dawn is used by rescue places to remove oil sludge from waterfowl caught in oil spills. Remember that it's desogned to remove food from dishes while being used by human hands so when diluted it should be fine for hair covered horses.

I very seldom actually give baths with a cleaning agent (just "hose off" sweat after each work) but when I do I usually use antibacterial hand cleaner (Walmart's cheap generic brand) - diluted.

betonblackjack · 08-20-2008, 08:20 AM

After every ride I wash my horses lower legs off, and I use AJAX dishsoap.

BuddyPalAmiga · 08-20-2008, 08:36 AM

We use Ivory dish washing liquid on ours. Haven't had a problem yet

It really whitens Dolly's white spotted rump too. She seems to be a bit skin sensitive in that area and had a reaction to a whitening shampoo, so we just use Ivory now. Just remember that a little bit goes a long way! And rinse thoroughly

AllAroundRdr · 08-20-2008, 08:54 AM

Both Dawn and Ivory are mild dishsoaps. I've used both over the years - dishsoap can be great for getting tough stains out. A drop goes a long way so make sure you dilute it well and rinse VERY well

08-19-2008, 10:37 PM	#1
MI Racer Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 836	Anyone use dish soap to wash your horse? I'm all out of shampoo for my horses and they both REALLY need a bath. I would be sure to dilute it really well, that is if it is safe to do so. I will also be sure to rinse really well. So in short, can you use very diluted dish soap to wash a horse?

08-19-2008, 11:47 PM	#2
FallenAngel Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chilliwack, BC Posts: 4,941 Images: 293 Blog Entries: 20	I've heard that Dawn (the blue stuff) Is awesome stuff to use. __________________ And She would rather tumble off her horse, Than fall for a boy </3 I've been snowballed x6 Gesh guys I'm starting to get cold!

08-20-2008, 04:58 AM	#3
DressageGirl22 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 656 Images: 76	I have never. It would probably be okay on the tail, but I wouldn't use it anywhere else. It can have more chemicals than normal horse soaps. I also think it would dry out their skin. So you are better off just using horse shampoo in my opinion. Mane n' Tail is so cheap and you can find it at almost any grocery store. __________________ "If all I did was teach you to think like a horse and truly understand their psychology, you'd have the keys to be able to do whatever you want with horses, and to win their hearts." Pat Parelli PNH Level 2

08-20-2008, 05:14 AM	#4
shaiarabs Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Manjimup Western Australia Posts: 655	I think it might be better to wait till you get some new shampoo you have to remember dish washing liquid is made to strip grease off your dishes so it will strip the natural greases off the coat as well __________________ Death is not the end, but the beginning.

08-20-2008, 05:17 AM	#5
iluvsam Full Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: The land of Robin Hood! Posts: 147 Images: 62	My friend always uses dish soap (fairy washing up liquid) neat on her horse's mane tail and coat, with no problems. -Alex __________________ Alex

08-20-2008, 05:18 AM	#6
Arrow Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 553 Images: 13	I wouldn't. Of course I've only washed Arrow with any kind of soap once in a year and a half--grooming and hosing off sweat is enough for me. Still--dish soap is detergent, too harsh. Why not go to the shower and get your human shampoo and use that if you're in a hurry?

08-20-2008, 07:56 AM	#7
Kicks Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Beautiful Black Hills of Dakota Posts: 2,252 Images: 31	I have with no problems using off and on over the years. Original Dawn is used by rescue places to remove oil sludge from waterfowl caught in oil spills. Remember that it's desogned to remove food from dishes while being used by human hands so when diluted it should be fine for hair covered horses. I very seldom actually give baths with a cleaning agent (just "hose off" sweat after each work) but when I do I usually use antibacterial hand cleaner (Walmart's cheap generic brand) - diluted.

08-20-2008, 08:20 AM	#8
betonblackjack Full Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 47	After every ride I wash my horses lower legs off, and I use AJAX dishsoap.

08-20-2008, 08:36 AM	#9
BuddyPalAmiga Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: central Montana Posts: 1,889 Images: 258 Blog Entries: 4	We use Ivory dish washing liquid on ours. Haven't had a problem yet It really whitens Dolly's white spotted rump too. She seems to be a bit skin sensitive in that area and had a reaction to a whitening shampoo, so we just use Ivory now. Just remember that a little bit goes a long way! And rinse thoroughly __________________ Beth Galatians 6:7 (NIV) Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. My 4 legged girls - Amiga, Sassy, Dolly, Missy, Lola, Velvet myspace.com/merritnbeth Member of the Diseased Thread Club WooHoo I got snowballed!!X5

08-20-2008, 08:54 AM	#10
AllAroundRdr Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southern CA - The Land of Fires & Shakey Ground Posts: 3,639 Images: 26	Both Dawn and Ivory are mild dishsoaps. I've used both over the years - dishsoap can be great for getting tough stains out. A drop goes a long way so make sure you dilute it well and rinse VERY well __________________ People say riding isn't a sport...Well you see, the 'ball' I play with has a mind of its own. I've been Goosed..and I LIKED it!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Can I wash her mane with dish soap?	westerngirl14	Horse Grooming	15	07-16-2008 03:59 PM
Washing a horse with dish soap?	HorseGurly143	Horse Chat	11	11-10-2007 04:03 PM
Dish soap?	ibarnbrat	Horse Grooming	24	03-22-2007 09:51 PM
Bar soap or body wash...vote...	2000-Flash-2000	Off Topic	11	07-21-2006 10:09 AM
dawn dish soap to take hair die out of your hair	Pony Pals	Off Topic	12	07-12-2006 06:20 PM