What should I do if my horse’s skin stings after shampooing? | arlo.® Atlas

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

If your horse’s skin stings after shampooing, the most common reason is that the skin has been irritated by the shampoo, the water, or the washing process itself. Rinse the coat thoroughly, check the skin for redness or broken areas, and pause any further washing until you’ve worked out what seems to be causing it.

There can be several possible causes, including a product that’s too harsh, shampoo left on the coat, water that’s too hot or too cold, or skin that was already sensitive before you started.

Things To Check

1. Check exactly when the stinging started, whether it was during washing, straight after rinsing, or once the coat began to dry.

2. Look closely for redness, small bumps, dry patches, scabs, broken skin, swelling or heat.

3. Think about whether you changed shampoo recently, used a stronger product than usual, or applied it more heavily than normal.

4. Make sure all shampoo was rinsed away, especially under the belly, around the girth area, along the mane, tail and legs.

5. Check whether the water was very hot, very cold, or sprayed with enough pressure to be uncomfortable.

6. Consider whether your horse had been scratched, clipped, sweaty or muddy before washing, as that can make skin feel more sensitive.

7. Look for signs of rubbing, stamping, tail swishing or other behaviour that suggests ongoing irritation.

Common Causes

The most common cause is simple skin irritation from the shampoo itself, especially if it is fragranced, concentrated or not well suited to sensitive skin.

Another common cause is shampoo residue left on the coat, which can sting as the skin dries.

Sometimes the problem is the washing method, such as vigorous scrubbing, water that is too hot or cold, or repeated washing in one area.

Less commonly, the horse may already have a skin issue such as a minor abrasion, insect irritation, or a skin condition that was not obvious before washing.

What To Do

Rinse the area again with plenty of clean lukewarm water if there is any chance shampoo has been left behind.

Stop using the same product until you know whether it was the trigger. If you wash again later, use a mild horse shampoo that is suitable for the coat and skin type, and always dilute or apply it according to the label.

Keep the skin clean and dry, avoid further scrubbing, and monitor the area over the next day or two. If the stinging settles quickly, it was often a temporary irritation. If it keeps happening, review the water temperature, rinsing time and product choice before the next wash.

Products That May Help

If your horse’s skin seems a bit sensitive after washing, a gentle coat-care product can be useful as part of a calmer grooming routine and may help you keep washes simpler and more controlled.

Shampoos & Washes

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