It’s hot out! Cool your horse down with this oily rinse

It’s the dog days of summer, but for us horse people it’s also a great time of year for riding.  The days are long enough to get in a ride after work, the weather is perfect for a weekend trail ride, and there are horse shows and competitions going on everywhere you look.

Whether you ride competitively or for fun, your oily pony appreciates a good cool down after a ride.  And when it’s super hot out, he may even like a good cooling off without being ridden!

DIY Cool Down Rinse

10 drops Rosemary oil

10 drops Lavender oil

10 drops Peppermint oil

1 Tbsp Witch hazel

Mix with 1 gallon water.  Sponge all over your horse, avoiding his eyes, to help him cool down.  

Scrape him down and reapply as needed until the scraped off water is no longer hot. Do not put your horse away wet, because water acts as an insulator and can actually prevent your horse from feeling cool after the initial pleasure of this rinse. Meanwhile, the oils that have absorbed in his skin will help him feel nice, and will help give him a shiny, healthy coat, too!

You can also make a larger batch (without the water) and store it in a squirt bottle. When you’re ready to use it, just squirt out about a tablespoon per gallon of water, mix, and go!