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Black boot stains on white barreled horse

4K views 14 replies 5 participants last post by  VelvetsAB 
#1 ·
My field boots and half chaps are leaving black contact stains on my white barreled horse.

Question 1 – Is there anything I can do to prevent this from happening?
Question 2 – What do you suggest for stain removal?

I usually believe in good ol’ elbow grease, but I curry, dandy bush, body brush and towel rub him every day at no avail. He has very sensitive skin and hives up easily with strong products. I had this problem all summer during show season and shampooing/bathing doesn’t seem to work either. The problem went away for a while after show season as I was wearing cheaply made half-chaps (pleather as opposed to leather), but they kept breaking, so I opted for a really good pair and now I’m back to square one with the stains...dang Italian leather!
 
#3 ·
When I first read the thread title, I thought you were talking about boot stains on the horses legs, and he was a barrel horse. LOL

Do the marks really stand out if someone was watching you from the center of the arena? I wonder if you could rub a small amount of oil of sorts before you ride to help not make a mark? I would also be tempted to use a bit of baby powder on that specific area to help camoflauge it.

Also, try not polishing the calf side of your boots. It might just be that the polish is wearing off onto the horse, and not actually the leather.
 
#4 ·
Have you tried products like the Cowboy Magic spot removers? I have used this one mud/grass stains on white socks, and it works for the most part. If these are too strong for your horse's sensitive skin, I'm sure there's an organic product out there.

Have you tried eZall shampoo? You attach it to the end of your horse, and then the water mixes with the shampoo and sprays out of the nozzle - a lot like window wash. The shampoo is from natural ingredients and surprisingly can take out some of the most stubborn stains.
www.ezall.com

I agree with the above comment about not polishing the inside of your chaps and boots. A saddle repair man that worked on a friend's saddle oiled it WAY too much, and the saddle left stains on the horse and the rider's clothes.
 
#5 ·
Sorry, my title is a tad confusing now that I look at it again, ha-ha!

Thanks all - I have used the baby powder trick during show season on his legs between classes, but never thought about trying it on this spot. I will give that a go tonight. Will the baby powder actually remove some of the stain or just cover it?

I have tried the Cowboy Magic, I love their products; but my boys’ skin however, does not. Poor guy was shipped into a show once and got a huge black stain on his rump from the rubber mats on the trailer walls - used the cowboy magic; it worked great, but the next day he was covered head to toe in hives.

I have never heard of the eZall shampoo - I love the idea of it though; looks like it would cut out a lot of time during the bathing process. I would be interested to hear more reviews on it. Have you used it yourself StrikinHigh?

The stains don't necessarily show while I am riding him (my leg covers them), but say we jogged in for a placing, they would defiantly be noticeable. I wouldn't be too concerned if it was a stain that would just wash out, but it seems to be pretty long lasting (and likely not great for his coat/skin).

In saying that; very true about the boot polish! I have not yet polished my new chaps, but they have likely been factory polished - think I will clean them when I get home to try to remove any access polish from the calf area.

Funny, the answer is actually pretty simple and right in front of my face now that I think of it – the issue is defiantly the boot polish! That’s why I love this forum; sometimes all it takes is for someone else to point out what you’ve been missing all along.

Again, thanks for the tips!
 
#6 ·
Aww, poor boy :(

I do use eZall. It won't completely remove really tough stains, say grass stains on white hocks :)|), but it does help and it makes the job easier when you go in to scrub with some elbow grease. It has worked on just about every other stain I've used it on, though.
You attach the sprayer to the end of your horse, spray the solution on the horse (it comes out all sudsy!), and wait a minute. When all of the bubbles have gone away, you rinse the horse off. For ordinary maintenance bathing, it's a godsend! I even use it to bathe my dog. xD
When preparing for a show, I usually bathe with eZall once, then bring out the big guns and scrub down with another shampoo (usually a color enhancing shampoo), rinse, then run the eZall cycle again. And just a note, I have a paint - so you can really tell when a shampoo works or doesn't! Lol =)
I think it would be safe for your sensitive boy, too. All of their products are biobased (even the truck and trailer wash!). They have a quick spot remover too, like the Cowboy Magic product, but I have never used it. =)
 
#7 ·
If you had to jog out, I would just use the baby powder on the spots to cover them.... It would be the same as using it on their socks. The only time you wouldnt be able to do it would be in a class that said "no fitting" which is more along the lines of a cattle show.
 
#8 ·
Hmm...the eZall is looking more and more tempting - just browsed their product page and on top of their already 'green' products, they supply hypoallergenic shampoo! Best part is, my usual tack store apparently carries it - why have I never seen it before?!?

This is true, VelvetsAB - must remember to pack it up for shows more often!

Thanks again everyone!
 
#10 ·
Kpptt--What is your fav tack store here? (Not sure quite where you are from but either way....)

I find Bahr's and Greenhawk hit or miss, depending on what you go there looking for.

They sell baby powder at the dollar store btw... It does just as good of a job as the full price bottle. Mine stays in my "show tote" just in case.
 
#11 ·
Everytime I see this title I think it says blood stains. I'm wondering if there is something you can spray on your chaps to keep them from bleeding onto the horse?
 
#12 ·
VelvetsAB - I do like Bahr's and Greenhawk, but you are right, they can be hit or miss. I tend to use them for my necessity items, or when they are having a sale. I am from the GTA, and there is a small tack shop near the barn I board at called A Bit Equine. They don't carry a lot in store, but almost anything can be ordered in, they have great and friendly service, so I do a lot of shopping there! I also like the EFO store, it's mostly apparel (casual and show) but their prices are pretty unbeatable. The other one I love, but don’t frequent very often because I find it pricey would be Running Fox. What about you, what are your favorites?

Farmpony84 – Good question, makes me wonder if the 'leather protecting sprays' you can get at shoe stores would help at all? I do think however, like the above posters mentioned, it is the boot polish that is transferring, rather than the leather itself bleeding.
 
#13 ·
EFO is great for show shirts and jackets, but they dont have a big mix of breeches. Pleasant Ridge, although it is almost a more western store, does have a good selection of stuff. Brubachers, which is run by a Mennonite family, is really good for every day stuff like supplements, halters, pails etc. There is a small tack store in town(Kitchener), "The Tack Room", much like the store you described...they are small but are willing to order stuff in.
 
#14 ·
I have been to The Tack Room! Fairly close to where I am, they have a pretty decent selection for the size of their store. I almost forgot about that place! I have heard of Brubachers, but have never been there - where is it located? Sounds like we are fairly close in location (I'm from Cambridge, but board out of town) - small world, isn't it!
 
#15 ·
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