Getting that white hair white again

I have a weakness for horses with four tall white socks. I love just about everyone I see. But all of us with a horse with a little chrome or a lot of flash have learned the hard way keeping that white hair white is difficult.

The first line of attack is prevention. Here are a few key tips to keeping your horse looking sharp.

Prevention goes a long way.

• Frequent Grooming: Brushing your horse on a daily basis will help remove dirt that can stain over time. Make it a routine to brush your horse daily.
• Clean bedding: Not all of us stall our horses but if you do, be sure bedding is kept as clean as possible. If your horse has a dry clean place to lay down it won’t collect as many stains. Of course, we all know that grey horse that insists on using his poop as a pillow. There is only so much you can do.
• Braiding: If you own a mare or like me, a gelding with a tendency for loose stools, keep the top portion of the tail braided to avoid urine and poop stains.
• Good Nutrition: A healthy coat starts from the inside. A horse’s natural oils help protect the hair from stains. Good nutrition and maybe a coat supplement will keep hair shiny and well oiled.

Getting the yellow out.

• Vinegar: Vinegar is a household must-have for dozens of cleaning hacks. There are a couple of ways you can use Vinegar to whiten your horse. Before washing your horse’s tail or mane, rinse it in vinegar and let sit for about 10 minutes. I recommend washing the rest of the horse as the vinegar does its job of loosening up the stains in the mane and tail. Then wash the mane and tale last as normal.
• Vinegar + Baking Soda: Another popular whitening tip is first to wash your horse as normal. Then, create a paste by mixing vinegar and baking soda. Don’t worry, the fizzing is normal. Coat the areas you wish to whiten and let sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Then rinse well.

Vinegar has a Ph level very close to the horse’s own hair and won’t over-dry it or dull it. Plus it is great for removing buildup from grooming products. All that build-up can attract dirt making the hair look yellow or dingy.

• Whitening Shampoo: Be careful what you use. Some products will actually harm the hair and cause it to become dry and brittle. Once the hair is damaged it will collect dirt easier and actually yellow faster. You will be caught in a terrible cycle. One shampoo I have used that always leaves my horse’s socks bright and white is Exhibitor’s Quic Silver. I don’t use this every time I bathe my horse but it’s great to jump-start the process once the weather is finally warm enough to give a good bath.

It’s important to remember that those yellow tails and dingy legs didn’t occur overnight. It took awhile for the stains to set it and so it will take some time for them to fade away. Products that promise a quick fix are often harsh and not recommended.

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