[redhorseridge]

I have what I affectionately call "mud babies". My two mountain horses love the mud -- and mud really dries out manes and tails. So I use Olive Oil Spray (found at my local Walmart for about $2 for a large green can). It keeps the mane and tail nourished and is cheaper than most horse hair care products. There is never any buildup and it doesn't draw flies. I used Healthy Hare Care before the olive oil "hair sheen" spray and the olive oil keeps their manes/tails in better condition.

I have a vacuum (hand held with a beater bar) and they love it -- it massages them while it cleans them!

[Nikki.M.]

Originally Posted by redhorseridge

I have what I affectionately call "mud babies". My two mountain horses love the mud -- and mud really dries out manes and tails. So I use Olive Oil Spray (found at my local Walmart for about $2 for a large green can). It keeps the mane and tail nourished and is cheaper than most horse hair care products. There is never any buildup and it doesn't draw flies. I used Healthy Hare Care before the olive oil "hair sheen" spray and the olive oil keeps their manes/tails in better condition.

I have a vacuum (hand held with a beater bar) and they love it -- it massages them while it cleans them!

I use the olive oil spray after I brush out mane and tails and then braid. The braids look sooo good like that.

I also use a hairbrush (like a woman's hairbrush) on the mane and tail. I'm a freak about the way my horses look.

[bludejavu]

Originally Posted by parys

" believe those are scars from ear mites that she used to have.. nothing can be done about it."
For me looks like fungus. Have you done slide sample? Try alsow Fungiderm in cream. Its good for fungus in ear. Sorry for english

Have to agree - the horse may have had ear mites at one time, but those aren't scars. They are known as aural plaque which is caused by the papilloma virus which can sometimes be introduced by black flies. It can be removed or reduced but sometimes it can aggravate the situation and make it worse. I have three horses currently that have it - it's fairly common in horses.

[ILoveRedRanger!]

hehe... this is from 2005. Ah well.

[crayon]

Sometimes I'll bathe or hose off Crayon, but it's not really worth it because she'll be covered in dirt again the next day anyway. So after I brush most of the dried mud/dirt off, I spray her with ACV, take a rag, and rub her down with it. It works wonders to get the rest of teh dust and hair off and keep my saddle pad or bareback pad clean.

EDIT:: Oopsie. I didn't realize it was so old! But it's always good to learn some grooming tips, right?

[MissJosieBee]

can't believe no one has said it yet but make sure you keep your brushes clean! always bathe your brushes when you bathe your horse. otherwise u r just putting dirt back into the coat. Use a rubber or metal curry everyfew brush strokes to keep brushes clean while grooming.

[mattie007]

Great tips, I gotta use some of them!!

[WWaldo247]

Show secrets? If you want your horse to have a pretty coat, don't let them out in the sun a lot or else their color will fade. I don't bathe my horse constantly, the only time I really bathe my horse is he day before a show. If white socks, there's a purple liquid for cleaning white socks(don't remember what it's called), and let that sit in.. If your horses socks is still iffy white, then you could also put baby powder on their sock. Then take them on a walk on like a road or gravel, somewhere where there's either absolutely no or least amount of dust/dirt.
If you bathe the day before, don't let your horse go out in the mud because obviously you'll just get yourself back to square one.
When at the show, put a sheet on him.
I never use show sheen or any spray like that.

[luvmyhotrodhors]

Originally Posted by ILoveRedRanger!

i just want to no what weird things that help them to clean their horse better for shows. i really need it lol

Infusium leave in conditioner for tails
Baby wipes for last minute touch ups (will take off those green spots he gets on the way to the show)
Feed them well, keep them UTD on dentals and worming
Sleazy to keep that work cone
Listerine and Lazersheen mix for shine/brace
Oil for feet, not polish, not as shiny but much better for feet
A soft towel all over just before you go in the gate
I never use "horse" shampoo unless it is cheap, I use shampoo for dry human hair
NEVER comb a tail or mane, detangle by hand and use a pick for hair to get the last bits out

[Luv2LopeQH]

Originally Posted by ILoveRedRanger!

i just want to no what weird things that help them to clean their horse better for shows. i really need it lol

I have a lot!! I haven't read the whole thread yet, so some may be repeated.

- For white legs, wash the night before, put baby powder on them and wrap after they dry. The next morning you will have very white legs!!!
- I use baby oil gel instead of face goo or regular baby oil. It's cheaper then face goo and less messy then the oil.
- Put the baby oil gel on chestnuts so they look supple.
- Put baby oil gel on the bridle path so it doesn't look dusty.
- Spray Pam in and on the hoof to help dirt and shavings from sticking in it.
- Spray static guard in the tail to help keep the tail from getting stuck between the legs.
- After a bath I spray the horse with show sheen while they are still wet.
- Instead of hoof black, you can just use black spray paint instead. It's cheaper and less messy.
- I always keep a sleazy on my horse at the shows when he is not tied up or showing as he has a tendency to rub his bands or shaving will get stuck in them when he lays down.
- I also invest in white shapleys spray for his white legs as well as they never stay 100% clean!!!
- I bathe my horse every night before I show in showmanship.

That's all I can really think of right now.