Why is my horse’s skin red after shampooing?

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

If your horse’s skin looks red after shampooing, the most common reason is mild irritation from the wash itself, especially if the product was too strong, not rinsed out well, or the skin was already sensitive. It can also happen if the coat was rubbed a bit too firmly while washing or drying.

In many cases the redness settles once the skin dries and the area is left alone. If it doesn’t improve, looks sore, or comes with swelling, broken skin or itching, it’s worth looking more closely at what might be going on.

Things To Check

1. Check whether the redness started straight after washing or only appeared later.

2. Look for any signs of swelling, heat, scabs, hives, broken skin or discharge.

3. Think about which shampoo was used and whether it was diluted as directed.

4. Check whether any shampoo may have been left behind, especially in thicker coat areas or under the mane, tail and legs.

5. Notice whether your horse seems itchy, uncomfortable, or more sensitive than usual when touched.

6. Consider whether the skin was already dry, muddy, clipped, sunburnt or affected by friction from rugs or tack.

7. See if the redness is limited to one small area or is spread more widely across the body.

Common Causes

The most common cause is simple skin irritation from shampoo, especially if it is too concentrated, not rinsed off properly, or used on a horse with sensitive skin.

Another common reason is friction from scrubbing, clipping, towel drying or repeated rubbing while the coat is wet.

Sometimes the skin is reacting to an ingredient in the shampoo, or the horse already has dry, irritated skin that shows up more clearly after bathing.

Less commonly, redness can be part of a more general skin reaction such as hives, or it may be linked to an underlying skin problem that was already there before the bath.

What To Do

Rinse the coat thoroughly with clean water if you think any shampoo may still be on the skin.

Keep the area clean, dry and as calm as possible, and avoid bathing again until the skin has settled.

If your horse has sensitive skin, it may help to use a gentler washing routine next time, with a product chosen for routine coat care rather than a heavily fragranced or strong cleanser.

Watch the area over the next day or so. If the redness fades and your horse is comfortable, it was likely a mild irritation. If it spreads, becomes sore, or keeps returning after washes, keep a note of what was used and how the skin reacted so you can adjust your routine.

Products That May Help

If you’re managing routine washing or a horse with a sensitive coat, a suitable wash from arlo.® can be useful as part of a gentler grooming routine.

Shampoos & Washes

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