• Add a dash of cider vinegar to a lukewarm bucket of water. Make sure it’s not too cold or too hot!
• The cider vinegar acts as a tonic to the skin.
• If cooling a horse after exercise, use mainly cold water with a tiny dash of warm to take the chill off it.

Laura Bechtolsheimer’s groom Carole gives her key points for washing off horses after exercise:

• Add a dash of cider vinegar to a lukewarm bucket of water. Make sure it’s not too cold or too hot!
• The cider vinegar acts as a tonic to the skin.
• If cooling a horse after exercise, use mainly cold water with a tiny dash of warm to take the chill off it.
• Shampoo your horse no more than once a week so as not to remove the natural oils in his coat.
• Start with the main muscle masses to cool the horse as quickly as possible (neck, shoulders, back, quarters).
• Then do the legs taking care not to rub dirt from the legs back onto the clean body.
• Use the scraper to get the worst of the water off.
• Dry the horse with a towel to keep him as warm as possible.
• Put a breathable rug on to keep the horse warm while he dries.
• Once the rug is on, wash the head.
• To dry the horse quickly and warm him up if it’s cold put him under heat lamps (if you have them), on the horse walker or walk him in hand.

This video and these key points reflect the views and preferred method of the person demonstrating the technique. Horse Hero recommends you ask an expert for advice if you need guidance or are unsure how to do this yourself and take every precaution for the safety of you and your horse. (www.horsehero.com)