How to hot cloth a horse: The ultimate guide to a shiny, healthy coat

Hot clothing is a grooming method that can work wonders for your horse’s coat, leaving it smooth, clean, healthy, and shiny. It’s often done during the colder months, and is beneficial before shows, after workouts, as a pre-clipping treatment, or for freshly clipped horses.

But what exactly is hot clothing, and how is it carried out? This guide will cover everything you need to know about how to hot cloth a horse to ensure they look their best, including:

• What is hot clothing?
• What are the benefits of hot clothing horses?
• How to hot cloth a horse: A step-by-step-guide
  • 1. Gathering your supplies
  • 2. Preparing your horse
  • 3. Hot clothing
• Hot clothing tips and tricks
• Which is the best oil for hot clothing horses?

What is hot clothing?

Hot clothing is the process of using a warm, damp cloth to wipe down your horse’s coat, usually with the addition of oils to enhance the shine. The warmth from the cloth helps remove dirt, loose hair, and any residue from clipper oil, while the oil leaves the coat with a healthy, glossy finish.

What are the benefits of hot clothing horses?

In addition to improving the condition of the coat, hot clothing horses is an excellent way to remove sweat after exercise, helping relax the muscles and prevent stiffness. It’s also a wonderful way to spend quality time with your horse, strengthening your bond with them as you work together to make them feel comfortable and cared for. 

When carried out before a clip, it can help improve the efficiency of the clippers, reducing the chance of nicks and resulting in a more even finish. As part of a post-clipping routine, hot clothing can help soothe the skin, leaving the coat glossy and clean without stripping away the natural oils.

Hot clothing is particularly beneficial as part of a winter care routine. During the colder months, it may be too cold to bathe your horse, and some horses may develop a thicker coat at this time which can trap more dirt. 

How to hot cloth a horse: a step-by-step guide

So, how do you go about hot clothing horses? Read on for a step-by-step guide.

1. Gathering your supplies 

Before you begin hot clothing a horse, make sure you have all the necessary equipment on hand. You’ll need:

• A clean cloth: You can use a microfibre cloth, a flannel or small towel, or a suede cloth. Avoid using anything that’s too rough, as they could irritate your horse’s skin.
• Two clean buckets: You’ll need a bucket to hold the warm water, plus another bucket filled with cold or lukewarm water to rinse the dirty cloth. 
• Hot water: You’ll want this as hot as you can stand to put your hand in, though not too hot to avoid scalding the horse’s skin. If you don’t have hot water in the barn or stable, fill a flask or kettle and bring it out with you.
• Your favourite grooming oil: This will add shine to your horse’s coat. There are a lot of different oils on the market — choose something specifically designed for horse grooming, and high-quality if you can.
• A sweat scraper or curry comb: These are optional, but helpful for loosening dirt.

2. Preparing your horse 

Make sure your horse is standing comfortably in a safe, secure area. It’s best to tie their lead rope to a fence or beam that’s above the height of their shoulders. Before you begin hot clothing, give them a good groom with a curry comb to loosen any dirt. Ensure you’ve got your buckets on hand with the water, adding a splash of your chosen oil to the warm bucket. Test the warm water with your hand first to ensure it’s at the right temperature. 

3.  Hot clothing

Immerse your cloth in the warm water and wring it out so it’s damp but not dripping wet. Begin by gently wiping the damp cloth over your horse’s coat, starting from the neck and working your way down the body. 

Work in sections, moving from the neck to the shoulders, then down the legs and hindquarters. Pay special attention to areas where sweat tends to accumulate, such as the rump and girth area. Be sure to follow the direction of the hair, and avoid scrubbing too hard.

As the cloth gets dirty, rinse it in your bucket of cold water before dipping it back into the hot water. This will prevent dirt from being redistributed.

And that’s really all there is to it! If you’d like, once you’ve gone over your horse’s entire body, you can use a second dry, soft cloth to lightly buff and remove any remaining moisture. This step helps polish the coat and leaves it with a natural shine for a perfect finishing touch.

Hot clothing tips and tricks

• Don’t overdo it: If you hot cloth horses too frequently, it can irritate their skin. A few times a week should be enough, especially if the weather is cold and your horse has a heavy coat. Don’t be too rough with the cloth.
• Consider your horse’s coat type: Some horses have thicker coats that may require more attention to get a good shine. Regular grooming combined with hot clothing will keep their coat looking its best.
• Be mindful of the temperature: Always test the water temperature before applying the cloth to avoid burning your horse. It should be warm, but not too hot to the touch.
• Avoid the nose and eyes: Oil on your horse’s nose can increase the risk of sunburn, especially in summer. A horse’s eye area is also very delicate, so it’s best to avoid these areas altogether when using oils.
• Know when not to hot cloth: Don’t hot cloth horses that are unwell or that currently have any skin conditions or wounds. It’s also not advisable to hot cloth a horse that is already hot from exercise, or in particularly hot weather, as this could lead them to overheat.

Which is the best oil for hot clothing horses?

The best oils for hot clothing horses are typically those designed for equine grooming. A good option is linseed oil, which helps soften and add shine to the coat. Some riders also prefer oils like tea tree, which has natural antibacterial properties and can promote healthy skin.
If you’re looking for an easier option, many commercial hot clothing products come pre-mixed with oils or conditioners. You can also add a small amount of coat conditioning spray to the water if you prefer a lighter option.

When introducing a new oil, always test for sensitivities on a small area of your horse’s skin first. 

By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your horse’s coat stays shiny, healthy, and well-maintained all year round. For more grooming tips, including advice on clipping, coat maintenance and equipment, don’t miss our grooming guide. 

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