Bathing with water is always the best option, right? Even for horses? What happens in climates and in environments where using the water is impossible or even dangerous?
Regions where drought restrictions exist may prevent water use above a specified amount or levy a fine if the amount is exceeded. Most stables are open-air, meaning that bathing with water is hazardous during winter in northern climates.
During horse shows, in between events, a horse may get dirty. While you don’t have time for a proper bath, losing points because your horse decided to roll in the pasture during his two-hour break should not be a fear. This is where waterless shampoos save the day!
These mixtures come in two forms, powder or spray bottle. Powder shampoo is excellent for cleansing, deodorizing, and even removing skin parasites. Spray bottle shampoo cleans, conditions, detangles, and boosts shine. Both options allow for bathing without the use of extra water.
What Type of Dry Shampoo For Horses Should I Use?
Dry Shampoo Powder For Horses
Are you in a situation where using any liquid could be hazardous or unworkable? For example, during winter in the northern climate. Or maybe you have a horse suffering from rain rot or fungus. Do you want to dry sweat and prevent chafing? Powder shampoo is your best option.
Dry Shampoo Spray For Horses
Are you at a show? Do you want to condition and boost shine? Do you have a horse with very dry winter skin? Do you have a horse with a chronically tangled or damaged mane? This may be the product you’ve been looking for!
The Best Dry Shampoos For Horses
Below, you will find our personal selection of our favorite dry shampoos for horses.
Absorbine Miracle Groom
Why we love it:
- Under $20
- Spray cleaner
- Recommended for large short-haired animals
- Can be used on dogs
- Non-greasy
- Detangler
- Makes brushing more efficient
- Vanilla scented
- 4.7 out of 5 rating
“A bath in a bottle” this product cleans and conditions a horse’s coat and detangles their mane. Many customers use this as a spot cleaner, especially for white horses who somehow manage to get dirty even while covered by a blanket.
This is recommended for cold weather; this is great as a spot cleaner or improves a brush’s effectiveness on dirt when a bath isn’t an option.
According to reviewers, after use, dirt comes out of the horse’s coat easier. Absorbaline Miracle Groom brightens a white coat and ensures a stellar presentation at the show. It helps to preserve the hair’s natural essential oils and fights dandruff to ensure your horse’s hair is nourished and healthy.
E3 Elite Argan Oil Shampoo for Pets, 32 oz.
Why we love it:
- Under $20
- All-natural
- Makes currying and brushing more effective
- Detangler
- Can be used on dogs
- 4.3 out of 5 rating
Moisturizing with vitamin E and omega 6, this argan oil shampoo helps prevent dirt from burying into the coat and makes brushing more effective. E3 Elite Argan Shampoo eliminates frizz and makes the mane manageable, and protects against environmental damage.
E3 Elite Argan Oil Dry Shampoo is recommended for sensitive skin. Argan oil increases hair permeability water, so this product can make the horse dry faster in general. Approved for both dogs and horses, this is ideal for multi-animal homes.
Espana Silk ESP0200E Specially Formulated Silk Protein Waterless Shampoo for Horses
Why we love it:
- Silk protein
- Plant-based
- Organic
- Coconut Scented
- Spray Shampoo
- Detangler
- 4.4 out of 5 rating
Silk protein helps to make sure the hair is soft and detangled. Recommended for soiled horses. All-natural, water-based, and hypoallergenic. No bad chemicals. No animal fats, soaps, or harsh detergents in this product.
Espana Silk makes brushing more manageable, helps to clean the horse, and keep the coat clean. Non-greasy formula. This product is plant-based and organic and beneficial to your horse’s coat. Claim to be of benefit for all animals and humans.
Sit. Stay. Forever. “Safety First” Dry Powder Shampoo for Horses
Why we love it:
- Powder shampoo
- Fungal preventative
- Recognizable ingredients
- No water, no freezing
- Free of harmful chemicals
- Under $20
- 4.1 out of 5 rating
No water necessary. Ideal for eliminating the risk of freezing during winter. All you need is this product, a curry comb, and a soft brush. Use this product to eliminate bacteria prior to blanketing your horse. It helps to protect the skin from rot, fungus, and chafing.
The product makers claim that people can use this product to prevent bacteria and odors from boots and helmets.
Arrowroot within the item is ph-balancing. Baking soda brightens the coat and makes whites whiter. Bentonite clay is in many skin products; it helps heal various skin ailments and irritations. Orris root is an antiseptic that helps heal skin ailments such as poison ivy. All ingredients are recognizable, pronounceable, and beneficial—talc, gluten, and wheat-free.
Coat Defense Daily Preventative Powder for Horses
Why we love it:
- Prevents bacteria and fungus
- No harmful chemicals
- Prevents skin allergies
- Can be used on boots and helmets to prevent bacteria and odors
- 4.3 out of 5 rating
The product treats bacteria build-up and fungus. Helps treat and prevent common skin issues such as canon crud, rain rot, sweet itch, yeast infections, and skin allergies, especially those related to insects.
Best for use under blankets, saddles, and with therapy blankets. Coat defense doesn’t use any synthetic ingredients, talc, caustic or irritating chemicals. This product is non-toxic and safe for your horse. It smells like peppermint ensuring that horses absolutely love this product.
Shapley’s Easy-Out No Rinse Shampoo For Horses
Why we love it:
- Brightens colors
- Spray shampoo
- Eliminates stains and odors
- Suitable for large show animals
- Under $20
- 4.4 out of 5 rating
Shapley’s Easy out removes resilient stains, is recommended for horse shows, and when the weather eliminates the possibility of a proper bath. Shapley’s shampoo is designed to lift dirt to the surface while enhancing natural mane and coat colors.
This item is ideal for mud, grass, urine, manure, sweat, and mud.
Reviewers support that it does indeed work at getting manure and grass stains out of even white coats. Odor eliminator and reviewers report favorable reviews for the scent but disagree that it smells like peppermint.
Written by: Courtney Cormack