Is your horse a shiny horse?

 

There’s no real secret to getting a spectacular shine on your horse.  It’s a combo of basic things – nutrition, grooming, and using clean grooming tools and tack.   But we can also use some boosts in those categories to help a horse be a shiny horse. 

 

Jump to videos and shopping

 

shiny-stallion

Stallions are just naturally shinier – their hormones create more sebum on their skin, which is the natural oil that creates amazing shine on

Sebum – your horse’s shine maker

 

  • Nothing can replace your horse’s natural oils that he makes himself.  Sebum, from the sebaceous glands in the skin, create shine and provide waterproofing.  This magic oil has antimicrobial properties, too, warding off bacteria and fungus that can create problems.  

 

  • When we use too much water, too much shampoo, too much product, have a poor diet, and no elbow grease, your horse will end up with a dull coat and flaky skin.   Frequent shampooing or harsh detergents will strip the sebum off your horse.  

 

  • Your equine nutritionist can help create the best possible diet for your horse. You want to have appropriate omega fatty acids in there – which means NO CORN OIL – it has too many Omega 6’s for most horses. Instead, use omega fatty acids that help your horse keep balanced in his nutritional needs.

 

Tools to boost your elbow grease

 

Hay wisps

 

  • These are an almost forgotten art of weaving damp hay into a handheld wisp to be brushed and rubbed along the coat for mega shine. A tea towel is the next best thing to create shine, then perhaps a super short and tightly bound natural hair brush, like a finishing brush. Also look for products designed to create shine, these double up as stain guards and can help future stains slide right off.

 

hay-wisp-for-horse-grooming

The hay wisp. Yes, you make it yourself from hay.

 

How to make a hay wisp:

 

    • Create a 1/2 inch rope from dampened and soft hay. Long stem hay is best, as is damp hay. You may want to dunk it, spritz it, or shower it.
    • Twist the hay until you have about 6 feet of it.
    • Then, create 2 loops at one end of the rope, one loop slightly larger. So you end up with 2 loops and 1 rope, braid them all together.
    • Ta-dah!! Wisp.
    • When you are done braiding, you can dampen the wisp and even step on it. It should be firm and small enough to hold in one hand.
    • You can also think of it like this: use the rope length to weave in and out of the 2 loops you have.
  • Use the wisp by brushing with the lay of the coat to a shiny finish. If you are anything like me in the “following directions and questionable end results” category, you will make many of these before you figure it out.

 

shiny-chestnut-horse

A good example of crazy, wicked shine.

 

The cactus cloth

 

  • A cactus cloth is a more modern style of hay wisp.  They last forever, and are not made of your horse’s favorite snack – hay. 

 

  • Cactus cloths have a rougher side and a smoother side and are great for buffing out sweat marks, adding shine, and taking off the last layers of dirt. You can also use them wet. 

 

cactus-cloth-for-horses

The modern-day alternative to a hay wisp is the cactus cloth. More on this little grooming gem here.

 

 

Shine products

 

  • Sheen products add silicone to your horse’s hair for detangling, shine, and sleekness. HOWEVER – many contain boatloads of alcohol, which dry things out. Which also makes your horse’s hair more likely to break and stain. Some brands do not include additional alcohol, which has all of the benefits but none of the breakage.

 

  • Grooming oils are conditioning and shine-producing. They can bring back shine and softness to a freshly clipped coat, and grooming oils are also great for helping the shedding horse.

 

horse-grooming-oil

 

  • You have a few options with grooming oils as to how to use them. One option is to lightly buff in some oil for a little sparkle, or apply more heavily, let things rest overnight, and shampoo out the next day.

 

  • Many shampoos and stain removers also have fancy sparkling things to reflect light and create shine. You want to stick with mild and gentle products here, otherwise, you are removing your horse’s natural oils, which creates more problems down the line.

gray-horse-tail-spray

Top off your hard work with some shine product. This will also help repel stains.

 

Oil buffing with grooming oils 

 

  • Oil buffing is the fine art of using a grooming oil to boost shine.  You can use these techniques all year long, in all sorts of weather.  The secret is to use enough grooming oil to add conditioning and stain repelling, but not so much your horse is drenched.  A TINY bit goes a long way. 

 

  • There are many ways to oil buff your horse.  

 

    • Mix water and oil, use a stiff brush, cloths, or a cactus cloth to curry your horse with your mixture.
    • In winter, make sure the water is hot and wring out your cloth. 
    • In summer, rinse your horse with a water and oil mixture.  This is great after a bath. 
    • You may also want to pour some oil onto a cloth or stiff brush and massage into your horse.

 

The complete guide to oil buffing is here!

 

Oil buffing info

Tips for oil buffing your horse

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.

SHAPLEY'S Medi-Care Med Shampoo W/Tea Tree & Lemon Grass, 32 oz
$22.99

The best shampoo for shine and soothing.

10/09/2024 09:43 pm GMT
Shapley s 32 oz. Color Enhancing Shampoo - Whitening Formula
$23.49 $20.74

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

10/10/2024 03:08 am GMT
Shapley's Equitone 32 oz. Color Enhancing Shampoo, GOLD
$21.85

Brighten duns, palominos, and golden colors.

10/10/2024 03:08 am GMT
Shapley's 32 oz. Color Enhancing Shampoo, BLACK
$22.61

For dark bays, black points, and black horses

10/10/2024 03:03 am GMT
SHAPLEY'S 32 oz. Color Enhancing Shampoo, RED
$23.49 $21.73

For chestnuts and some bays

10/10/2024 03:08 am GMT
Shapley's No.2 Heavy Oil
$18.02

For deep conditioning and detangling - coat, mane, and tail.

10/10/2024 03:17 am GMT
Shapley's No.1 Light Oil
$19.81 $17.35

This is my favorite horse care product for shine, conditioning, detangling, and stain protection.

10/09/2024 10:52 pm GMT
HANDSON Pet Grooming Gloves - Grooming, Bathing, Shedding
$24.99 $16.99

These are HandsOn Gloves with special pricing! Only in the color gray.

10/10/2024 01:38 am GMT

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.

Shires Cactus Cloth
$16.77 $15.62
10/10/2024 06:08 am GMT
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.

10/10/2024 01:34 am GMT
Handson Ergonomic Hoof Pick
$19.99

This is the strongest hoof pick available!

10/10/2024 01:38 am GMT
10/09/2024 11:22 pm GMT
Farnam Slick 'N Easy Horse Grooming Block
$8.77

Good for grooming, shedding, and bot egg removal

10/10/2024 12:23 am GMT
BRUSH FACE WHITE GOAT HAIR
$10.45

For faces, ears, and any place your horse needs a softer brush.

10/09/2024 04:29 pm GMT
USG H.A.A.S Haas Diamond Gloss
$25.90

Sort of a mix between a finishing brush and a body brush. Soft for sensitive horses.

10/09/2024 07:23 pm GMT
10/09/2024 10:17 pm GMT
Jeffers Horse Face Brush
$16.79

This brush is luxury and will help your horse shine!

10/09/2024 07:23 pm GMT
Huntley Equestrian Deluxe Grooming Bag
$59.99

Keep all of your poops in a group with this handy tote.

10/09/2024 09:44 pm GMT
H.A.S HAAS Mould Horse Brush Large Silver, Medium
$23.00

Boost shine and create a smooth coat with this medium brush from the best of the best - HAAS. Go forth and shine!

10/09/2024 05:53 pm GMT
10/10/2024 06:22 am GMT
Wet Brush Shower Hair Brush Detangler
$6.80 $6.47

Gentle and effective detangling for your horse's mane and tail.

10/10/2024 06:47 am GMT
Electric Cleaner Co Rapid Groom Horse Vacuum
$605.00

It's always satisfying to vacuum your horse!

10/10/2024 01:48 am GMT
HANDSON Pet Grooming Gloves - Grooming, Bathing, Shedding
$24.99 $16.99

These are HandsOn Gloves with special pricing! Only in the color gray.

10/10/2024 01:38 am GMT

Kensington Protective Fly Boots (Pair)
$39.85

Banish the stomping!

10/09/2024 06:18 pm GMT
Fly Whisk
$39.95

For *mostly* bug free riding

10/10/2024 01:44 am GMT
Farnam Equi-Spot, Horse Fly and Tick Control, 12-Week Supply for One Horse
$30.78

This spot-on product kills and repels ticks and helps with mosquito control.

06/27/2024 12:28 am GMT
Cashel Quiet Ride Horse Fly Mask with Long Nose and Ears
$32.99 $29.99

This style is great for riding!

10/10/2024 03:23 am GMT
HORZE Supreme Silent Crochet Ear Bonnet
$25.99

If your horse can't hear it, it won't eat them.

10/09/2024 07:23 pm GMT
WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Sweet Itch Shield Combo Neck
$109.95 $95.96

Sweet itch is best battled by not letting those annoying midges bite your horse.

10/10/2024 02:58 am GMT
Schneiders Adjusta-Fit Mosquito Mesh Hybrid
$299.99

For horses with sweet itch and other insect allergies, more coverage is better.

10/09/2024 11:28 pm GMT
LeMieux Classic Ear Bonnet Hunter Green
$47.95

LeMieux has more colors than the paint section of a hardware store. I promise they have one you like!

10/10/2024 07:02 am GMT
Rub Protector Lycra Fly Mask GG Equine

These fly masks are fantastic for protecting ears and eyes, and do great under halters and grazing muzzles to stop rubs and hairless patches.


Use code 15PROEQUINE for a sitewide discount on muzzles, halters, accessories, and slow feeders.

Thank you!

 

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