My daughter’s pony is a fuzzy little beast who won’t be clipped because he lives outside (although he may get a trace clip soon). Anyway, she cools him out thoroughly, but just can’t quite remove all the saddle and girth marks. Any tricks or suggestions? I believe I heard alcohol and a rag are good for this?
Teach her how to make a wisp.
Fancy kind, we just loosely braided a handful, but you get the idea here:
https://www.proequinegrooms.com/tips/grooming/shine-like-crazy-wicked-shine
A handful of straw, other kinds of hay work in a pinch and rub in small, gentle circles.
Works like a charm.
Rubbing alcohol will definitely help cut the dirt/sweat and dry faster than plain water. I prefer to use it mixed with warm water (less harsh, especially if you have to use it every day). And then rub briskly with a good towel to encourage the hair to dry evenly. It definitely shouldn’t be used as a sub for good brushing!
With super-long coats, I don’t worry about “leaving no trace” - along as the coat is clean and groomed, I don’t mind if there are indentations.
My recipe is is 1/3 rubbing alcohol, 1/3 Vetrolin 1/3 water in a spray bottle, then using elbow grease with a cactus cloth to remove all the saddle and bridle marks. My youngest gelding is now mostly white (formerly dapple grey) and this seems to work perfectly.
A cactus cloth works quite well.
Cactus cloth!
With fuzzy horses that sweat I would let them dry and get the marks off later. Also I wouldn’t worry about indentation in the hair unless it’s a pony club rally. Would just make sure the hair is clean and fluffy again.
Another vote for the cactus cloth, love mine.
I use Healthy Hair rather than alcohol - I find the alcohol too drying. Used with a towel or cactus cloth - voila!
https://www.doversaddlery.com/healthy-hair-moisturizer-16oz/p/X1-2225/
Another vote for the good, old-fashioned cactus cloth.
I recently got the epona tiger tongue and it is fantastic. Perfect for cleaning off mud and rubbing out marks. Mine love rubbing their face in it once the bridle comes off.
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I second the suggestion for the Tiger Tongue! Love it. I also think you will have to settle with having some marks you can’t remove. So long as you groomed it thoroughly, pony will be fine. (Disclaimer- The marks make me crazy too :winkgrin:)
I use a 50/50 mix of alcohol and liniment. I spray the sweat areas immediately after I’ve untacked, rub the mixture into the hair as best as possible, move onto other grooming tasks, and then return to sprayed areas to see if they need additional work.
I use Magic Brush or ridge weeder when horses are completely dry. Ridge weeder is not only fine to remove hair but also dried sweat.
I use a Magic Brush or Tiger’s Tongue. Both work well.
If he lives outside, why worry? When he rolls the saddle mark will disappear. Too many products will remove the protective, weather proof grease from his coat.
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Either put a blanket on him or let him roll.
Those rubber mitts with the tiny teeth on the palms and fingers. The horses love them, and they do a great job. Washable too.
