Banish those stains for good

Have you ever looked at your horse when he’s covered in stable or poo stains and wondered if you’ve bought some sort of swamp monster? We’ve all been there! What’s more, horses always seem to be at their worst when you’re due to go to a show or lesson and you’ve spent the whole of the previous day getting them ready. Don’t worry – those days will soon be behind you with our step-by-step guide on the best way to remove stable/poo stains, and if you have a grey, how to keep him that way.

Step-by-step guide to scrubbing away those stains 

1. Stains tend to be easier to remove when they’ve already dried (unless you have a grey, in which case it can turn the hair yellow), and the best way to start is with a curry comb. Using it in a circular motion, rub out as much of the stain as possible and then use a body brush to flick away the rest of the debris.
2. If the stain is fresh and very wet or you’ve tried the curry comb and the stain is putting up a fight, it’s time to show that stain who’s boss. Using a warm, damp cloth, scrub backwards and forwards over the stain, making sure to rinse and squeeze the cloth between scrubs so you’re not putting dirt back into the stain. Check the cloth isn’t too wet, otherwise the water will run down your horse taking the stain with it.
3. Once you’ve removed as much of the stain as possible, use a shampoo (blue or purple if your horse is grey or the stain is on a white patch) or a spot stain remover to scrub out what’s left. Again, check your cloth or sponge isn’t too wet. If needed, you can use something with a bit more power, such as a body brush, but just don’t be too harsh on the area when scrubbing, especially if your horse is clipped. If you are looking for the best whitening shampoo in test, check out our gear guide here.
4. To finish off, use a towel to dry the area and if any of the stain has hung on, it will rub out in the towel. After all that –hey presto – you’ll have a horse again who’s no longer hidden under that glorious stain. Remember, if your stain was where your tack sits, ensure the area is fully dry before tacking up and riding to avoid any rubbing.

Keep your grey looking grey!

It can be tedious going through the above steps day in, day out when you have a grey who’s prone to stains but there are things you can do to help.

1. Skipping out your horse’s field or stable regularly will help minimise poo stains. Obviously, you can’t be on hand 24 hours of the day, but poo-picking often will help.
2. Body rugs placed under normal rugs really help and some even cover all the neck and half the face! While they’re a great invention, it’s best to check your horse would be comfortable in one and don’t use it when the weather is very hot. It’s not necessarily something to use every day but before a show day or lesson, it could save on cleaning time when you’re in a hurry.
3. Turnout boots or leg wraps are not only for preventing injury to your horse’s legs when he’s out in the field, as they can also help keep them clean at the same time.
4. What about that beautiful grey tail? When travelling, it’s inevitable that the tail will be stained – that is, unless you have a tail guard with a bag attached to it. And, yes, they really do sell these! It works in the same way as a normal tail guard, but has an extendable bag attached into which you place the end of the tail. You simply do it up and when you arrive at your destination, you’ll find your horse’s tail is completely clean and you’re ready to go.