WD-40 and Horses - Not a Good Idea -

Put down the WD-40 and step away from your horse!

Please, for the love of horses, keep WD-40 (and all household cleaners and chemicals) FAR AWAY FROM HORSES. I know I’m probably going to sound like a nagging mother about this, but I have seen way too many pictures and suggestions on the internet lately WD-40 and horses. There are safer, and better smelling, options!

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There is no good reason to let WD-40, or any other solvent, near your horse.

The front of the can spells out some of the dangers.

I personally love WD-40. In the garage. When I need to get a piece of metal unstuck. When I am working on my car. Ok, that doesn’t happen but the husband works on our vehicles, and he uses it.

It’s really as easy as reading the label. WD-40 is very clear, on both sides of the can, about its uses and the serious hazards.

A few highlights of the WD-40 warnings:

Harmful or fatal if swallowed. Ok, your horse is not going to drink it, but he may chew his buddies tail or ingest some when he’s mutually grooming his BFF.

Flammable. This literally means “easily set on fire”.

Inhalation of spray mist may be harmful or fatal. Is it really worth it?

Skin contact – wash with soap and water. WD-40 is not designed to touch skin! Ever.

Eye contact – flush eyes with large amounts of water for 15 minutes. Have you ever seen your horse rub his face on his front legs? This is how chemicals end up in a horse’s eye.

The warnings continue on the back of the can!

If you have a grooming problem requiring using dangerous, flammable, and toxic chemicals, please call me instead. I can give you dozens of safe ideas about handling your grooming conundrum that won’t end in a vet bill. In fact, this website is chock full of ’em.

Myth busting WD-40

One more thing – there is NO FISH OIL in WD-40. This is a MYTH – proven by this statement on the WD-40 website, see the screenshot below. But does it matter with all of the warnings?

You can read other WD-40 myths here.

Alternatives to WD-40

Before you start looking for magic in a bottle, make sure your horse has a good diet with appropriate omega fatty acids.

How much curry combing and daily grooming do you actually do? Double or triple that amount. Over and over and over again.

If you have some sort of mane or tail tangle problem, reach for a horse safe grooming oil instead. Or M-T-G. Or mayonnaise. Or a sheen product. Or butter. Anything but WD-40.

Oil buffing is a handy technique that gets your horse conditioned and shiny with grooming oil. You can use a rag or brush to groom it into the coat. You could add some oil to hot water and hot towel it on your horse. In warmer weather, use it with cool water to sponge on your horse.

Tons of info and videos on oil buffing here!

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