Water temp. when bathing horses?

SKB · 06-16-2008, 02:38 PM

I am going to give my horses a bath this week, but I just wanted to know if the water temp. matters a lot to them? I have an outside attachment to hook the hose up to and although it is warm at first, it gets really cold after a few minutes. What is a good temp. for the water to be when washing them? ( Please in farenheight- I know this one is spelled wrong) I don't remember what the conversion is.

If this matters, it's been between mid 70's- high 80's out here during the day. At night in the low 50's usually.

Mare · 06-16-2008, 02:47 PM

When its in the 80* plus I use the garden hose and start at the legs. They love it, no halter or anything and they stand for it. So they must not mind that temp at all. I dont have a water heater outside so they get it straight from the hose.

SKB · 06-16-2008, 02:49 PM

Thanks... I guess they'll only be one way to find out (although this will be my filly's first experience). At least my other one's a seasoned bather (so I've been told)!!

Reitpferde · 06-16-2008, 02:53 PM

Definitely depends on the horse. Mine does not really like cold water, unless it is ridiculously hot. When it's a bit cooler and I have to hose him off, he gets very squirmy, if I don't use warm water....wuss...

shyxpony · 06-16-2008, 02:56 PM

Horses do not like extremes in temperature... lukewarm water is usually best. Cold water in hot temperatures isn't good because it is a shock to their bodies.

SKB · 06-16-2008, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shyxpony

Horses do not like extremes in temperature... lukewarm water is usually best. Cold water in hot temperatures isn't good because it is a shock to their bodies.

I was wondering about that. Maybe I can run some sort of adapter thingy off of the washing machine (in the house) so that I can mix the hot and cold water. I'd need a pretty long hose for this. Our outside water gets pretty icy cold!

Maybe I should rinse their feet/legs and see how cold and how fast the water gets. And also if I don't tie them, they will be able to leave if it gets uncomfortable for them.

shyxpony · 06-16-2008, 03:19 PM

Well, at least you could leave them untied like you said... but cold water on a hot day will probably feel good to them, but it isn't really good for them... candy tastes good to humans but it isn't good for us

Yeah, I just had to use that comparison

Anyway my point is that they may not necessarily leave, even though the cold water isn't really good for their bodies.

shyxpony · 06-16-2008, 03:21 PM

I've seen some little thingies you can buy that heat up the water for you... that might be worth a try. Or you can use a bucket of lukewarm water & a sponge, works just as good

EDIT: Here's one of those things I was talking about: http://www.statelinetack.com/itemdy0...LT311038%20008

Dancers Mom · 06-16-2008, 03:49 PM

In the summer I use the garden hose and also start from the legs down and after a long workout or trail ride I make sure to hose her off under her belly and between her legs, all the big viens, cools them off. I don't really bath in the winter all that much but the few times I have I do it in the warmest part of the day and we move the hose to the sink and use the hot water.

sheryl15 · 06-16-2008, 06:06 PM

I had the plumber put a regulator on the wash bay tap so in summer its just lukewarm and now that its winter down here...its warm enough to take a shower myself if needed...the horses just love it...

Sheryl
www.highlandparkshowhorses.com

06-16-2008, 02:38 PM	#1
SKB Full Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 204 Images: 9	Water temp. when bathing horses? I am going to give my horses a bath this week, but I just wanted to know if the water temp. matters a lot to them? I have an outside attachment to hook the hose up to and although it is warm at first, it gets really cold after a few minutes. What is a good temp. for the water to be when washing them? ( Please in farenheight- I know this one is spelled wrong) I don't remember what the conversion is. If this matters, it's been between mid 70's- high 80's out here during the day. At night in the low 50's usually.

06-16-2008, 02:47 PM	#2
Mare Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Montana Posts: 1,908 Images: 10	When its in the 80* plus I use the garden hose and start at the legs. They love it, no halter or anything and they stand for it. So they must not mind that temp at all. I dont have a water heater outside so they get it straight from the hose. __________________ Member COL Club- hand over the Oil of Olay and nobody gets hurt!

06-16-2008, 02:53 PM	#4
Reitpferde Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Central New Jersey Posts: 702 Images: 9	Definitely depends on the horse. Mine does not really like cold water, unless it is ridiculously hot. When it's a bit cooler and I have to hose him off, he gets very squirmy, if I don't use warm water....wuss... __________________ Mom to two teenagers, a QH, a TB, and a German Shepherd, aka pony...

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06-16-2008, 02:49 PM	#3
SKB Full Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 204 Images: 9	Thanks... I guess they'll only be one way to find out (although this will be my filly's first experience). At least my other one's a seasoned bather (so I've been told)!!

06-16-2008, 02:56 PM	#5
shyxpony Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,528 Images: 1	Horses do not like extremes in temperature... lukewarm water is usually best. Cold water in hot temperatures isn't good because it is a shock to their bodies.

06-16-2008, 03:19 PM	#7
shyxpony Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,528 Images: 1	Well, at least you could leave them untied like you said... but cold water on a hot day will probably feel good to them, but it isn't really good for them... candy tastes good to humans but it isn't good for us Yeah, I just had to use that comparison Anyway my point is that they may not necessarily leave, even though the cold water isn't really good for their bodies.

06-16-2008, 03:21 PM	#8
shyxpony Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,528 Images: 1	I've seen some little thingies you can buy that heat up the water for you... that might be worth a try. Or you can use a bucket of lukewarm water & a sponge, works just as good EDIT: Here's one of those things I was talking about: http://www.statelinetack.com/itemdy0...LT311038%20008

06-16-2008, 03:49 PM	#9
Dancers Mom Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: La Mesa, CA Posts: 968 Images: 35	In the summer I use the garden hose and also start from the legs down and after a long workout or trail ride I make sure to hose her off under her belly and between her legs, all the big viens, cools them off. I don't really bath in the winter all that much but the few times I have I do it in the warmest part of the day and we move the hose to the sink and use the hot water.

06-16-2008, 06:06 PM	#10
sheryl15 Full Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sutton Forest NSW Australia Posts: 63	I had the plumber put a regulator on the wash bay tap so in summer its just lukewarm and now that its winter down here...its warm enough to take a shower myself if needed...the horses just love it... Sheryl www.highlandparkshowhorses.com