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TheHorse.com THE HORSE June 2017
Putting Your Best Follicle Forward
Minimizing bathing frequency and
the use of soaps and potentially harmful
chemicals can help improve the overall
quality and health of your horse's skin
and hair coat.
"We absolutely witness a vicious cycle,"
says Bidwell. "Horses are overwashed,
develop skin problems, and then get
washed more to try to resolve the skin is-
sues caused by washing them in the first
place. These cases often require systemic
antibiotics and minimizing water contact
completely to remedy the problem.
"Instituting simple management
changes like replacing regular shampoos
with a very mild oatmeal aloe shampoo
or eliminating shampoos altogether (or
switching to a medicated shampoo if
battling a skin infection), drying horses
completely in the sun after bathing,
avoiding topical alcohol to expedite dry-
ing following a bath, and minimizing
the administration of medications that
stunt the immune system, like systemic
corticosteroids such as dexamethasone,
can resolve these problems quickly."
Take-Home Message
One of the signs of a healthy horse is a
lustrous, gleaming coat. But remember
that beauty comes from the inside. Focus
on supporting a healthy integumentary
system, rather than reaching for fancy
bottles of shampoos and conditioners.
When you do need to wash or whiten,
use soaps sparingly, and keep an eye
out for signs of skin issues related to
overbathing.
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When you bathe your horse, allow him to dry completely in the sun before putting him up.
BIANCA
MCCARTY
To Bathe or Not To Bathe?