6 Best Spot Cleaners For Removing Manure Stains From Horses Old Grooms Trust
Erase stubborn manure stains with 6 powerful spot cleaners trusted by veteran grooms. We reveal the top formulas for a pristine, show-ready coat.
There’s nothing more frustrating than getting ready for a ride only to find your horse has decorated itself with a giant, green manure stain. For those of us with grey, pinto, or palomino horses, it’s a daily battle against nature. Having the right spot cleaner on hand is the difference between a quick fix and a half-hour of frantic scrubbing.
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Tackling Stubborn Manure Stains on Your Horse
Manure stains are more than just an ugly mark on a clean coat. If left to sit, they can attract flies and even cause skin irritation. It’s a constant challenge, especially with a horse that views a fresh pile of shavings as a suggestion, not a rule.
The best way to handle a stain depends entirely on the situation. A full bath is great in July, but it’s not an option in the dead of winter or when you have ten minutes before the farrier arrives. This is where a specialized spot cleaner becomes one of the most valuable tools in your grooming tote. It saves time, water, and a whole lot of frustration.
Remember that not all stains are created equal. A fresh, surface-level smudge is a simple fix. One that’s been baked in by the sun and ground into a white coat is another beast entirely. Choosing the right product for the job is key to getting your horse clean without a fight.
Cowboy Magic Greenspot: The Dry Shampoo Fix
Cowboy Magic Greenspot has been a barn staple for decades, and for good reason. Think of it as a dry shampoo for your horse. It’s designed to lift stains without a single drop of rinse water, making it the go-to for cold weather grooming or last-minute touch-ups.
The process is straightforward: spray it on the stain, massage it in with your fingers or a curry, and then wipe it off vigorously with a clean, dry towel. The formula is designed to dissolve manure and lift dirt from the hair shaft. This is the product you want when the hose is frozen solid or you’re at a show with limited access to a wash rack.
The main tradeoff is its power against deeply set-in stains. While it works wonders on fresh messes, it might not completely eliminate an old, yellowed spot on a white tail. It can also leave a slight residue until it fully dries and is brushed out, but that’s a small price for the convenience.
Absorbine ShowSheen for a Bright, Clean Coat
Most people know ShowSheen as a coat polish and detangler, but its stain-fighting abilities are top-notch. The formula not only cleans but also contains ingredients that help repel dust, dirt, and future stains. It’s a proactive approach to grooming.
For spot cleaning, ShowSheen works best with a little bit of water. Spray it directly on the manure stain, let it sit for a minute to penetrate, then scrub with a damp cloth or sponge. The stain lifts away surprisingly easily, leaving behind a slick, glossy coat that makes it harder for the next stain to stick.
The major consideration here is that slickness. You must be extremely careful not to spray it anywhere near the saddle area. A slippery coat under the saddle is a serious safety hazard. Reserve it for legs, flanks, and hindquarters to get a brilliant shine without compromising your tack’s grip.
Carr & Day & Martin Stain Master for Tough Jobs
When you’re faced with a truly stubborn, ground-in stain, Stain Master is the product you need. This is the heavy-duty solution for the grey horse that used a manure pile as a pillow all night. It’s formulated for tough jobs on light-colored coats.
This is a targeted treatment, not an all-over spray. Apply it directly to the stain, use a stiff brush or a rough cloth to work it into a lather, and then wipe it clean with a damp sponge. It’s exceptionally good at lifting the yellow and green hues that other cleaners can leave behind.
Because it’s so powerful, it’s best reserved for the worst stains. It’s an indispensable tool for show preparation or for tackling those impossible spots that have been there for days. Some find the scent a bit medicinal, but its effectiveness is undeniable.
Shapley’s Easy-Out: The No-Rinse Solution
Shapley’s Easy-Out is another fantastic no-rinse shampoo that has earned its place in grooming kits everywhere. It’s renowned for its ability to remove tough stains while being gentle on the coat and skin, preserving the horse’s natural oils.
Application is as simple as it gets: spray it on, massage it in with a damp towel, and then dry the area with a clean one. The stain lifts out as you towel-dry. It has a pleasant, clean scent and is often a great choice for horses with sensitive skin that might react to harsher formulas.
Like other waterless options, its primary strength is convenience. It’s perfect for daily touch-ups and winter grooming. While it might take a couple of applications for a really deep stain, its gentle formula means you can use it frequently without worrying about drying out the skin or hair.
Mane ‘n Tail Spray ‘n White for Lighter Coats
The name says it all. Spray ‘n White is specifically designed to tackle stains on white, grey, palomino, and other light-colored coats. It goes beyond simple cleaning by using optical brighteners to enhance the whiteness and make the coat truly shine.
This product is a deep-cleaning agent that chemically breaks down the proteins in manure and urine that cause staining. You get a fundamental clean, not just a surface-level fix. It’s the secret weapon for getting those chrome markings and white socks to gleam before a show.
This is not a waterless cleaner, and that’s the key tradeoff. To get the full effect, you need to spray it on, let it sit for several minutes to work, and then rinse it out thoroughly. It requires water and a bit more time, but the brilliant, bright-white results are often worth the effort.
Ecovet EZ-All: A Natural, Plant-Based Option
For horse owners who prioritize natural ingredients, Ecovet’s EZ-All is an excellent, plant-based alternative. It’s a multi-purpose cleaner that is gentle on your horse’s skin, your hands, and the environment, without sacrificing performance.
It uses plant-derived surfactants to break down and lift away dirt, manure, and grime. Its versatility is a major plus; you can use it as a waterless spray-on, wipe-off cleaner for quick jobs, or dilute it in a bucket for a more thorough wash.
The practical consideration is that it might require a little more scrubbing on a severe, set-in stain compared to a more potent chemical formula. However, for everyday cleaning and for anyone concerned about harsh ingredients, EZ-All provides great results and valuable peace of mind.
Pro Tips for Effective Spot Cleaning Your Horse
The most effective spot cleaning starts before you even reach for the bottle. Always curry the stained area first. Removing all the loose mud, dirt, and hair allows the cleaning product to get right to work on the stain itself, rather than fighting through a layer of grime.
A little bit of heat can make a big difference. Use a towel dampened with hot (not scalding) water to work the product in. The warmth helps open the hair cuticle, releasing the stain more easily. And always finish with a clean, dry towel—using a dirty one will just smear the mess around.
Finally, think about prevention. After you’ve cleaned and dried a stubborn spot, apply a light coat of a silicone-based polish or conditioner to the area. This creates a barrier on the hair shaft that makes the next manure stain much easier to brush off once it’s dry. It’s all about working smarter, not harder.
Ultimately, there is no single "best" spot cleaner—there’s only the best one for the specific job, season, and horse in front of you. Keeping a waterless option for winter and a deep-cleaning one for tougher jobs covers all your bases. With the right tool in your grooming box, you can spend less time scrubbing stains and more time enjoying your horse.
