What do you like most about a horse? For us, it is the mane and the tail. A horse’s mane and tail are not just useful but also don’t just add to it’s beauty. But with great beauty comes extra grooming efforts. You would need a horse shampoo and conditioner, a lot of time and energy, and a friend or acquaintance to assist you.
Choosing a natural horse shampoo can seem daunting with the plethora of options at your disposal. Numerous variables need to be taken into consideration, what ingredients to look for what to avoid, your budget, and a whole lot more.
But, we’re here to save you from all that because not only will we provide you with a list of the top horse shampoos and conditioners but we’ll also walk you through all there is to know about horse shampoo and conditioner.
- Best Overall: Farnam Vetrolin Bath Hydrating Shampoo
- Best Antimicrobial Shampoo for horses: Pet MD Medicated Shampoo
- Best Budget Option: Mane ‘N Tail Combo
From cleaning the mane to maintaining the natural oils of the coat; these products have proven to be the best of the lot for us.
Best Horse Shampoo and Conditioner
Here is our list of the best horse shampoo and conditioner that you can get your hands on.
1. Farnam Vetrolin Bath Hydrating Coat Conditioning Shampoo
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The Farnam mixture is enriched with the qualities of protein that makes it ultra-hydrating and most suitable for thick hair types.
The thick lather easily washes away and removes all dirt, debris, and dandruff making your horse spotless. The Vetrolin fragrance leaves a fresh after-effect.
Furthermore, this shampoo protects the horsehair and skin from pollutants. It has the benefits of Vitamin E and PABA sunscreen in it. The manageable bottle of the shampoo makes the job easy and is ideal for use on dogs, too.
2. Pet MD – Medicated Shampoo for Dogs, Cats and Horses
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Pet MD has been a trusted brand and almost all of their products deliver on their promises. This medicated shampoo is no exception.
The shampoo is perfect for deep cleaning your horse’s coat. Adding on, its antiseptic properties make it perfect for treating skin problems. So, if you have a horse with such problems, this is the shampoo to go for. The shampoo helps target skin infections and cures any existing skin issues while preventing from others.
The mix comes in a cucumber melon scent and has a soothing effect on horse skin. And if you have a dog or a cat, it works on them, as well.
3. Mane ‘N Tail Combo Deal Shampoo and Conditioner
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No matter how gorgeous your horse’s mane and tail are, it becomes a nightmare when they get tangled (which is why we recommend checking out these grooming brushes) (which is why we recommend checking out these grooming brushes). Our next pick, from none other than Mane and Tail, will help you clean and untangle your horse’s tangled hair without causing any discomfort.
The shampoo comes with a deep nourishing conditioner that makes it the best horse combo for hair growth. It also helps remove dryness by providing deep moisture to the hair and skin.
The apple scent is added to remove any smell coming off of your horse. However, we would recommend you do a patch test before actually going on for a full coat cleanup.
4. Dechra DermaBenSs Shampoo for Dogs, Cats & Horses
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Many horse owners have complained about how shampoos rip off the coat of the natural oils from the horse skin. This shampoo is all about spot treatments and maintaining the natural oils of the coat.
The concoction is soap-free and full of ceramides which helps in hair growth. You can also use this shampoo for animals with skin conditions like seborrheic. The best part about this shampoo is that it is also antimicrobial. This means it flushes out infectious microbes from hair follicles.
Moreover, it is infused with herbal scents and is perfect for spot treatments.
5. Shapleys Original M-T-G
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Shapley’s Original mane and tail shampoo gives you unexpected results. It not only promotes healthy hair growth but also deals with skin issues such as bacterial and fungal infections.
The oil-based solution proves to be effective for skin healing and treating a horse’s dry skin and girth itch within a week. You can notice visible changes in the thickness of the mane and tail as the hair fall reduces remarkably.
The vets recommend M-T-G shampoo for treating thrush, white line disease, dandruff, mud fever, greasy heel, and much more. The best thing about the solution is it can also be used for other pet animals in the house.
6. Eqyss Mega-Tek Rebuilder
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As the name suggests this shampoo helps in rebuilding and repairing cracked hooves. Plus it gives fuller, thicker, and longer manes and tails. It focuses on reducing hair fall that ensures hair growth.
The finest high-end ingredients used in it makes it safe to be used on all horses. The moisturizing formula increases the protein in the skin and coat which helps restore its elasticity and strength. Moreover, it also treats bed sores, blanket rubs, and various other skin conditions your horse might be suffering from.
7. Cowboy Magic Rosewater Shampoo and Conditioner
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The magical solution makes the horse’s hair soft, smooth, and silk. This not only makes them look healthy but also feel the same. Through the combined action of all ingredients, it makes your horse clean without causing any damage.
The natural horse shampoo has rosewater which through its double-action strengthens the hair and removes any buildup. The silk and panthenol conditions the hair as it penetrates every strand and removes dryness.
8. Mane ‘n Tail Pro-Tect Veterinary Strength Medicated Shampoo
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The vets suggest that the medicated Mane ‘n Tail shampoo cures several skin infections associated with bacteria, fungi, or yeast. The broad-spectrum formula helps deal with almost all kind of skin problems.
It is also safe for use even if the horse has cuts or tears on the skin. The shampoo cleans the skin, conditions it, and increases the process of healing.
This process helps the horse feel healthy and better while preventing the development of other infections. However, consult your horse’s doctor and test the product on a specific area first before going on a full-fledged bathing session.
9. UltraCruz Horse Shampoo and Conditioner
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UltraCruz nourishes and promotes long healthy horse hair. It does not wash off the natural oils from the hair while cleaning off the dirt. The collagen protein, Aloe Vera, and vitamins establish the protein to moisture balance which gives hair the strength and shine it needs.
10. Vetericyn FoamCare Equine Medicated Shampoo
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Aloe Vera is added to the mild shampoo as it soothes fungal infections such as rain rot or ringworm. In addition, the 1% Ketoconazole manages the dryness and the itchiness with ease.
It provides nutrients that condition horse skin and make it smoother and clean. Lastly, the shampoo is completely free of sulfates, paraben, and other harmful chemicals.
Things to Look for in a Horse Shampoo and Conditioner
So, what is the best shampoo for horses? A shampoo that meets your horse’s hygiene needs and is easy to use. But there’s more. Here are some of the things to look for in a horse shampoo before buying.
Moisturizer
The deep moisturizing quality of the horse shampoo and conditioners helps the horse hair retain its moisture. The hair looks shiny and healthy. Always look for ingredients like Aloe Vera that have moisturizing qualities.
Ideally, you would need a shampoo that not only retains the natural moisture of your horse’s hair but also provides that extra moisture.
Medicated
Apart from the cleansing properties of a shampoo, it should also be medicated. Since horses may suffer from various skin infections and irritations, only a medicated shampoo proves to be helpful.
Shampoos concerned with skin health should be the key element of a horse’s bath regime.
Deep Cleansing
Horses tend to have thick hair coats which makes it difficult for the shampoo to penetrate. Deep cleansing ensures that the shampoo goes through and cleans all dirt and debris.
A shampoo that has both cleansing and moisturizing properties together is the one you should go for. Some horse whitening shampoos do that really well.
Value for Money
Being expensive or cheap is not what’s important. The important thing is whether a shampoo is worth the asked price.
Always make sure that the benefits offered are worth your money.
Just by the way, if you’re looking to groom your horses, then we also recommend checking out our list for the best grooming totes here. Buying a grooming tote is a great way of getting your hands on all kinds of basic grooming equipment for your horse.
Your Horse Shampoo Should Have the Following Ingredients
Always look for the following ingredients in your horse shampoo:
Natural Oils: Natural oils help keep the horse’s coat silky and smooth while maintaining its moisture. The fatty acids in the oils give the hair its lustrous shine. Thus, you would want a shampoo that contains natural oils like sunflower, olive, avocado, coconut, etc.
Benzalkonium Chloride: It is the core element of medicated shampoos. The antimicrobial qualities help in dealing with skin conditions along with cuts and scrapes.
Panthenol: Vitamins are necessary for the nourishment of the horse’s hair to make the horse feel and look healthy. Panthenol is a Vitamin B5 derivative and lubricates the shaft of the hair.
Keratin: Keratin protein acts as the building block for hair and skin cells. It helps in keeping the hair healthy and promotes hair growth.
Hypochlorous Acid: Though rare in horse shampoos, it plays an important part in speeding up the healing of wounds and scars. The antibacterial properties prevent any infection at the site of injury.
Zinc: Minerals are important for the health of a horse’s coat and hoof, both. Though the horse gets zinc in its diet but adding it to the shampoo is an extra step towards your horse care regime.
Choosing a Shampoo for Your Horse
There are multiple properties that a horse shampoo and conditioner must have to be chosen as the best. And research is hands down the best thing one can do before choosing a shampoo for the horse.
A shampoo should remove all the stains while nourishing the horse’s hair. It should brighten up the horse’s coat and counteract the effects of sun bleaching. While protecting the horse’s hair from the rays of the sun it should also have antimicrobial qualities.
Additionally, you should consider a shampoo that helps soothe irritated skin and has healing properties. It should also nourish and revitalize the hair and skin such that it makes the horse look and feel healthy.
The smoothing effect of the shampoo is also important as it prevents the natural oils from being washed. This locks the moisture within the skin and hair of the horse. Oatmeal is what you should look for in the ingredient when choosing a shampoo for dry skin.
Give preference to mild shampoos that support healthy skin and promote hair growth. The horse shampoo should also help in keeping hair detangled and undamaged.
Along with looking out for the things mentioned above, you should also see what suits your horse. The kind of skin your horse has, is it sensitive? Does it have any infections? You should consult a vet in this regard so that s/he can guide you as per your horse’s need.
Homemade Horse Shampoo
If you feel sceptical of the ingredients horse shampoo manufacturer’s use, you can always make horse shampoo at home.
Here are the two most commonly followed recipes that help make a mild and gentle shampoo at home with some easily available ingredients.
For the first one, you will need 1 cup of liquid castile soap, distilled water, and Aloe Vera gel. In addition, 4 teaspoons of glycerin along with 1 teaspoon of avocado oil. Essential oils can be added as per the desire in an adequate amount to ensure that the scent is not too overpowering.
The other recipe needs 5 teabags of chamomile boiled in 5 cups of water. You need to leave this tea for at least an hour to extract all the good before throwing the teabags out. Lastly, add a cup of castile soap and a tablespoon of glycerin to the mix. This is preferred for horses having a reddish or yellowish tinge in their hair coat.
FAQs Related to Horse Shampoo and Conditioner
Before buying a horse shampoo and conditioner multiple questions arise in the mind of a person. Some questions are answered as follows:
The best shampoo for your horse typically depends on what suits its needs the most. The ingredients and price all together make a shampoo the best. The best horse shampoo addresses every need of the horse care regime. Make sure it does not strip off the natural oils and has moisturizing qualities.
Furthermore, it has to accommodate enough to the requirements of the horse. It should suit the hair type and fight off any skin infections that the horse may have.
Horses do not have fur, but hair and so almost all human shampoos are safe for them. The horse’s hair is similar in its structure to human hair. Human shampoos are also affordable as compared to high-end horse shampoos.
Moreover, human shampoos get washed easily without leaving residue. However, it may result in hair loss if it does not suit the horse’s hair type or cause any reaction. You are advised to consult a vet and carry out a patch test first.
Yes, you can since baby shampoos tend to be mild and gentle on the skin and hair of the horse.
They are a cheaper alternative and do not irritate the horse’s eyes. In addition, they mostly have no side effects associated and have a pH close to neutral. Many people use it on their horses as it suits almost all skin types.
A sweat scraper, hair detangler, sponge, bucket, towel, rubber curry, hose, etc are some of the basics. Some essential natural oils are also necessary to maintain shine and give nourishment to their coats. Either add these oils to the shampoo or massage them on while brushing the hair.
Rather than pouring water directly try using a wet cloth or sponge to cleanse its face. Be patient while washing your face cause the handling takes time.
Ensure, the shampoo is mild and does not irritate the eyes of the horse. Also, tie the horse securely to ensure it does not injure itself.
It takes two or three goes to know how your horse will react when water is poured over its face.
A normal shampoo can be used on the horse if it is mild in its action. But, you are advised to carry out a patch test first. However, it is highly recommended to use shampoo designed specifically for their coat.
Most people wash the horse before a race or a special event to make them stand out. The weather also determines how frequently you can wash a horse. In the summer season, you can wash them at least twice a week. It is mostly based on the personal preference of the owner and how cooperative the horse is during a wash.
Buying a scented shampoo is preferable. The horse is usually unaware of what it smells like. People usually prefer mild and light smells on their horses, one that gives a fresh feeling. These scents do not have any side effects or reaction and are available as essential oils which can be mixed in the shampoos.
It is important to take care of the horse’s health, an important aspect of this is giving them a proper bath. Making sure the horse is clean and shiny is as important as giving it a nutritious diet.
The horse’s hair is prone to get tangled and dry, thus, bathing it with a suitable horse shampoo and conditioner is necessary.
It is important to take good care of your horse’s hair and chose the most suitable horse shampoo and conditioner. A clean horse does not only look good but tends to be healthier as well.
Buying a shampoo is not a very difficult task, however, it is recommended to read into the details first. Make sure to know what you are getting into. see if the ingredients align with your horse’s needs and then take a plunge.
Nevertheless, always conduct a patch test before incorporating it into your horse’s hygiene routine.
