How to Get Rid of Manure Stains on Horses

Manure stains on a horse often occur in stables. If a horse can move away from its own manure before laying down or rolling, typically it will. In a corral or stall however, sometimes the horse has no choice but to bed down in its own manure. Getting rid of manure stains on a horse once it has set in is not a simple case of washing the horse with soap and water. If you do not get to the stain in a day or two, it can really leave a spot. Fortunately, there are several solutions you can use to clean your horse, depending on the animal's color.

Things You'll Need

  • 5-gallon bucket
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Baking soda
  • Witch hazel
  • Spray bottle
  • Laundry detergent with bleach
  • Stirring stick
  • Wash cloth
  • Hair or plastic bristled brush
  • Clippers
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Mix one part baking soda and two parts hydrogen peroxide in a bucket with a stirring stick. Wipe the solution over the manure stain on the horse with a washcloth. Once the stain is saturated with the solution, brush it vigorously. A horse's skin is not as thick as that of a cow. If you rub too hard or for too long, you will begin to remove the horse's hair. In order to prevent this, rub vigorously for 10 or 15 seconds, then stop and let the hydrogen peroxide work into the hair for a minute or two, then brush vigorously again. Continue to do this for five to 10 minutes.

    • 2

      Wash the solution off your horse with a hose. Allow the horse to dry and look at the area you cleaned. If the stain is gone or faded to an acceptable shade, your work is done.

    • 3

      If the stain remains, fill a spray bottle with witch hazel and spray the stain. Wipe it off with a rag. Again, let it dry, then inspect the stain. If the stain persists, attempt to clean it with your witch hazel spray several more times.

    • 4

      Mix one part laundry detergent with bleach and five parts water, if the stain is on a white patch of the horse. Rub the animal down with a washcloth saturated with detergent solution, then begin brushing its coat. Use the same method you used to clean the stain with the hydrogen peroxide/baking soda solution. Once you have brushed the horse off and on for five to 10 minutes, rinse the stain thoroughly. Do not leave any of the solution on the horse. Bleach will irritate the horse's skin and can create a burn or a rash.

    • 5

      Clip the horses hair if the stain persists and you do not find it acceptable. Some horses have longer hair than others. When you clip a short-haired horse, it will probably end up with a slight bald spot. Clipping the animal's hair is a decision you have to make based upon how important it is for you that the stain to disappear.