Things You'll Need
Chamomile tea bags
Liquid castile soap
Glycerin
Water
Aloe vera gel
Avocado
Essential oils (if desired)
Shampoo bottle
The purpose of horse shampoo is to clean dirt and debris from your horse's mane, tail and coat -- ideally leaving it smooth and shiny. Most people who opt to start making their own horse shampoo do so to save money and reduce the number of chemicals that are used on their horses. Horse shampoos made with natural ingredients can clean your horse without exposing him to chemical products. You should check with your veterinarian before using any homemade products on your horse, to prevent potentially negative side effects.
Mix together one cup of distilled water, one cup of liquid castile soap -- which is an olive oil based soap -- one cup of aloe vera gel, four teaspoons of glycerin and a teaspoon of avocado oil. If desired, you can also mix in a small amount of essential oil. Essential oils are supposed to provide number of benefits, including pain relief and relaxation.
Alternatively, you can boil 10 bags of chamomile tea in water and allow them to sit covered for an hour, after removing it from the heat. Remove the tea bags from water. Mix in half a tablespoon of glycerin and a cup of castile soap. Add essential oils, if desired.
Pour solution into sealable storage container. An empty, clean shampoo-type bottle is ideal. Close the lid tightly.
Place the bottle in the refrigerator and allow the mixture to cool down.
Remove the mixture from your refrigerator, when you are ready to use it. Shake the bottle well, then pour a small amount of the shampoo on a sponge or washcloth. Shampoo your horse as usual.
Tips
You can use 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar mixed in a five gallon bucket of water to remove dirt and grime from horse coats.
Warnings
Use caution making products for your horse. Consult with veterinarian before using.
References
Photo Credits
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Writer Bio
Jen Davis has been writing since 2004. She has served as a newspaper reporter and her freelance articles have appeared in magazines such as "Horses Incorporated," "The Paisley Pony" and "Alabama Living." Davis earned her Bachelor of Arts in communication with a concentration in journalism from Berry College in Rome, Ga.