5 Grooming Hacks Using Apple Cider Vinegar and Shampoo

Summer is here and that means hot rides, sun shirts, helmet visors, and yes – sweaty, dusty horses and pesky flies! No worries, barn buddies: we’ve rounded up five fun grooming tricks using everyday apple cider vinegar (ACV) and a gentle “sun shampoo” approach (think aloe or oatmeal shampoos) to keep your horse cool, comfy, and gleaming all season long. Try these barn-tested hacks:

• Beat the sweat & stains: After a sweaty ride, hose off your horse to remove loose dirt. Then mix 1 part apple cider vinegar with 3 parts water and sponge or spray it on the wet coat. This ACV rinse breaks down salty sweat and shampoo residue, rinsing out grime and leaving the coat sparkling clean and shiny. It’s an old trick – top grooms even say vinegar (with “the mother”) adds a gorgeous sheen to summer coats.

• DIY fly-fighting spray: Summer bugs bugging your horse? Fill a spray bottle with 2 cups ACV, 2 cups water, and a few drops of lavender or citronella oil. Mist it on mane, belly and legs as a natural fly spray. The tangy scent of vinegar helps repel flies and mosquitoes, and a touch of essential oil amps it up. It’s safe, non-toxic, and an instant “ahh” for a fidgety flea-bitten pony.

• Itchy-skin soother: Got scurfy or sun-irritated spots? Gently wipe the itchy area with straight ACV (or a 1:1 water–vinegar mix on sensitive skin). The acidity lowers pH on the skin and is naturally antimicrobial. Think of this like a gentle cleanse: it dries out fungus or bacteria under the coat and moisturizes without soap, so the skin won’t flake. Our go-to groom habit: a little ACV dab on hives, rain-rot or sweat rashes calms irritation fast and the coat looks healthy.

• Shine-and-protect spritz: Give manes and tails a boost with a leave-in conditioner spray. Fill a bottle with water, add 2 tablespoons of ACV and a teaspoon of coconut or aloe vera oil, then shake well. Lightly mist over the mane/tail before brushing. This simple barn-buddy mix detangles and conditions, locking in moisture and even providing some UV protection. (Pro tip: veteran grooms swear by vinegar + coconut oil to keep hair from drying out or “sunburning” on bright days. The end result is a glossy, flyaway-free finish.

• Sun-smart shampoo switch: Instead of a heavy soap, try a gentle after-sun wash: use an aloe- or oatmeal-based horse shampoo (even a tear-free baby shampoo works) on sweaty spots. Then pour 1 cup of ACV into your rinse water and swish it over the coat. This two-step “sun shampoo” rinse locks in hydration while the vinegar acts like a natural conditioner and shine enhancer. Our horse keeping hack: skip the harsh suds on hot summer days – the vinegar rinse helps prevent the coat from getting sun-bleached and keeps it soft.

Ready to give these hacks a try? Stop by Equine Exchange Tack Shop or give us a ring to stock up on vinegar, aloe shampoos and all your grooming essentials. We’re here to help you and your horse stay cool, clean and happy all summer long!