There are some horses that do not like to stand to be washed or actually seem to be scared of the hose or wet sponge. This does not have to mean that your horse never gets bathed. With a little patience, a few cleved tricks and understanding any horse can be taught to stand still and be bathed. Behaviour specialists have recommended setting some time asside in order ot begin re-establish good behaviour when bathing / being washed down. Setting time aside wil prevent you from wanting to rush through the process and make the experience as relaxing as it can be for the horse. It is recommended that any time spent working with horses in this way be done on a soft, non-slippy surface and with the handler wearing non-slippy footwear, a riding hat and gloves and use a long lead-rope or lungeline to hold the horse with.

Depending on the severity of the hroses dislike to water, to begin with work can start by using a damp sponge. this can be run across the horses coat as you would a grooming brush. Gradually the amount of water on the sponge can increase. It is important to not tie the horse up while any work to accustom him to this procedure is done. Firstly this will prevent the horse, who will inevitable want ton move away from the water, from puling back on the string he is tied to and becoming scared, and secondly will allow you to continue the application of a wet sponge as he moves, by turning him on a circle around you as he moves. Once he realises that you are not going to stop and that the procedure is not as scary as first thought he should stand still and once he does this, you can take the sponge away and praise him. This should be done gradually until you feel confident to move on to a hose.

The horse should not be tied up and the hose should be long enough to prevent either you or the horse from becoming tangled up in it. Very nervous horses can be introduced to the hose with the water off to begin with. It can be moved about, he can be walked over it and it can even be moved around his legs until he becomes totally nored withthe now non-scary hose. To make the acceptance of the hose as comfortable as possible it is nicer to introduce the horse to it on a warm sunny day. Start with a slow trickle on the front hoof nearest you. Again, if the horse moves, bring him on a circle around you until he becomes used to this. Once the horse becomes used to this the water can be moved upwards and gradually across his body. Be carefull when near his head that water does not get in his ears. Once the horse is used to this process it is advised that you start at the head and neck ensuring you wash the forelock backwards so that should the horse lift his head up the water runs away from the horses face.