How to groom the dust and dirt from a pasture kept horse!

 

While I love horses being horses outside, It’s also a real pain to get them horse show ready. Horses that live outside are muddy, dusty, and often times green from grass stains. Your mission is to help prevent dust and dirt, then remove all of it.

 

jump to shopping

 

 

dirty-horse-in-pasture

He’s not really a roan. More of a mud roan.

 

Ideas for preventing dust and dirt and grass stains on your horse that spends a lot of time in the pasture:

 

  • Have a designated rolling spot in his pen that lures him away from the mud and into a clean area. You can use shavings, wood pellets, sand, whatever he likes to roll in. Make sure his designated rolling area is set away from fencing and gates so he doesn’t get stuck. A shelter is a definite plus in a paddock and makes a great location for a clean rolling spot if the shelter is big enough.

 

  • Have your horse wear a fly sheet in the summer. They come in zillions of fabrics and thicknesses and styles. Pick a light color or white to reflect the sun and keep the bugs and some of the dust and dirt away. You can also hose them off and they air dry quickly. Zebra prints might add an extra layer of fly protection as the stripes confuse some bugs. And your horse will be more adorable.

 

  • Use a sheen product. Adding a sheen product to your horse on top of his own natural oils make dust, dirt, and stains slide away easily.

 

 

magic-sheen-horse-legs-bottle

You can use sheen products from head to toe, just be sure to avoid the saddle area – no need to slide off your pony as you trot along!

 

 

Now it’s time to deal with the dust and dirt that he has managed to apply to himself in his outdoor home:

 

  • Curry, brush, curry, brush, keep going… Take curry breaks and use the dandy or stiff brush otherwise you are just moving the dust around. You can also dampen your dandy or stiff brush and this will get more dust off. You will also be cleaning your brushes a bit more, but whatever.

 

 

miss-blanketing

A really dusty horse reminds me of how convenient blankets are to keep dirt at bay…

 

 

 

  • Use a horse vacuum! If you don’t have one, you can get a shop vac and use a pool hose to extend the nozzle. Most horses learn to like the vacuum, and it will save you a bunch of time. Curry first for best results.

 

 

horse-vacuum-hose

Hanging the nozzle keeps human feet from tripping.

 

 

  • Grab that damp washcloth and use it to give your horse one final wipe before you put any tack on. Sheepskin grooming mitts also work well for this job. You will be able to remove that very last bit of surface dust from your horse. You could also use those chamois or microfiber towels that you find at auto supply stores.

 

One more tip:

 

  • Wear sunglasses. You won’t notice the dust as much!

 

 

go-shopping

 

Stock up here for your horse supplies! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, but it’s ZERO extra cents to you.  You can also visit my Amazon storefront here:  PEG storefront.

Big Hoss - Outlaw Nutrition

Omega 3's plus gut health support in a delicious cold milled flax formula. It's delicious and it will turn your horse's coat into a mirror.

HandsOn Finishing Gloves - Double Sided
$19.99

The jute side buffs to add shine, the other side is fuzzy for lifting dust and applying fly sprays and grooming products.

11/13/2024 03:57 am GMT
Shapley s 32 oz. Color Enhancing Shampoo - Whitening Formula
$23.49 $21.46

For all colors - to add shine and help lift stains.

11/13/2024 05:23 am GMT
Shapley's Easy-Out No Rinse Shampoo 32 fl.oz
$19.58

Spot removing, deodorizing, dust busting, shine adding spray.

11/13/2024 05:38 am GMT
Electric Cleaner Co Rapid Groom Horse Vacuum

It's always satisfying to vacuum your horse!

Thank you!

 

Scroll to Top