Let's be real: most of us got into horseback riding to escape the chaos of modern life, not add to the planet's waste pile. But if you're like me, you probably never thought twice about the half-dozen plastic bottles of equine shampoo, fly spray, and hoof oil cluttering your grooming kit, or the single-use wipes you toss after every ride. That changed for me last summer, when I found a cracked plastic grooming product bottle washed up in the creek my 12-year-old Quarter Horse gelding, Scout, drinks from after our trail rides. I'd been using that exact brand of medicated shampoo for his sweet itch for three years, and the guilt hit hard.
Over the last 18 months, I've tested dozens of eco-friendly grooming products to cut down on my barn's plastic waste, avoid harsh chemicals that irritate Scout's sensitive skin, and support brands that prioritize sustainability without sacrificing performance. The best part? Most of these work better than the conventional products I used to swear by, and many save me money in the long run too. Below are my top picks, tested on Scout and a handful of other horses with all different coat types and needs.
Wilding Equine Solid Grooming Bars (Shampoo + Conditioner)
If you're tired of buying a new plastic bottle of horse shampoo every two months, solid grooming bars are the game-changer you've been waiting for. Wilding's bars are 100% plastic-free, packaged in recycled cardboard, and made with organic oatmeal, chamomile, and coconut oil that cleans without stripping your horse's natural coat oils. They're also biodegradable, so even if a little lather runs off into the pasture during a bath, it won't harm local waterways or your horse if he licks it off his legs.
I bought my first bar two years ago for Scout, who breaks out in hives if I use most store-bought medicated shampoos. This bar calmed his sweet itch flare-ups in two uses, and one 7-ounce bar lasts me six full baths---so I'm spending $12 a year on shampoo instead of the $40 I used to shell out for plastic bottles of the medicated stuff. They also make a separate conditioning bar for horses with thick, coarse coats that takes 5 minutes to apply and leaves their mane and tail silky smooth without any greasy residue.
ECOCON Concentrated Horse Shampoo
If solid bars aren't your thing (I get it, lathering a bar on a muddy, wet horse can be a hassle), ECOCON's concentrated shampoo is the next best zero-waste swap. It comes in a 100% recycled plastic pouch that you can refill with a compostable refill bag when you run out, eliminating the need for new plastic bottles entirely. The formula is sulfate-free, biodegradable, and gentle enough for daily use, but tough enough to lift mud, sweat, and trail grime from even the muddiest of cross-country coats.
I tested this on my friend's Friesian gelding, whose thick black coat usually takes three rounds of shampoo to get clean after a weekend of trail riding. One pouch of concentrate makes 2 liters of shampoo, and it got all the mud out in one wash, no harsh stripping of his natural oils. It's also safe for foals and horses with sensitive skin, so it works for every horse in the barn.
Hoof RX Natural Hoof Oil
Conventional hoof oils are almost always packaged in single-use plastic bottles and packed with petroleum byproducts that can dry out hooves over time, plus they leave a greasy residue on your saddle and blankets that's a nightmare to get out. Hoof RX's natural hoof oil comes in an infinitely recyclable aluminum bottle, and the formula is made with jojoba oil, beeswax, and tea tree oil to strengthen hooves, prevent thrush, and promote healthy growth---no harsh chemicals or petroleum.
I switched to this last spring when Scout came up lame from a minor abscess, and his farrier recommended ditching the petroleum-based oil I'd been using to help his hoof wall grow back stronger. Not only did his hooves harden up faster than expected, but the oil doesn't leave any sticky residue on my saddle or his winter blanket, which was a constant headache with my old brand. Even better, the company plants one native tree for every bottle sold, so your purchase supports reforestation efforts in areas affected by wildfire, which is a huge plus for anyone who loves riding through forest trails.
Bug Off Naturally All-Natural Fly Spray
Conventional fly sprays are packed with synthetic pyrethroids that not only irritate your horse's skin and eyes, but also kill beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies if they run off into the pasture or nearby wildflower patches. Bug Off's fly spray is made with cedar, lemongrass, and peppermint essential oils that repel flies, ticks, and mosquitoes just as effectively as synthetic sprays, without any harsh chemicals.
I live in the rural south, where flies are so thick from May to September that I used to douse Scout in pyrethrin spray twice a day to keep him from rubbing his sweet itch spots raw. This spray works just as well, except Scout doesn't get itchy or sneeze after I spritz it on him, and I don't feel guilty spraying it near the wildflower patch we planted by the barn to support local bee populations. The bottle is made from 100% recycled plastic, and you can send the empty bottle back to the company for free to be cleaned and refilled, so you never have to throw it away.
Redecker Sustainable Horse Grooming Set
Most cheap plastic grooming tools break after a year or two of regular use, and end up in the landfill when the plastic bristles snap or the handle cracks. Redecker's grooming set is made to last 10+ years, with FSC-certified beechwood handles, natural horsehair and goat hair bristles, and rust-proof stainless steel hardware. The set includes a curry comb, a stiff body brush, a soft face brush, and a hoof pick, all with replaceable parts so you don't have to buy a whole new set if one brush wears out.
I've had my set for three years now, and it looks almost new, even after weekly use on Scout's muddy trail coat. The natural bristles are way gentler on his skin than plastic brushes, and they do a better job of distributing his natural coat oils to give him a natural shine, no extra spray needed. The company also partners with equine rescue organizations, so 5% of every purchase goes to support horses in need.
EcoHorse Reusable Bamboo Grooming Wipes
If you're like most riders, you go through a pack of single-use wipes every week to wipe down your horse's face and legs after a ride, clean sweat off your saddle, or wipe off your own boots before you get in the car. EcoHorse's reusable bamboo wipes are made from organic, sustainably harvested bamboo, are machine washable, and can be used hundreds of times before they need to be replaced. They're super absorbent, don't leave lint, and are gentle enough to use on your horse's face and sensitive skin.
I bought a pack of 10 wipes two years ago, and they've replaced the 3 packs of single-use plastic wipes I used to go through every month. I just throw them in the laundry with my riding clothes after every use, and they hold up perfectly. Even better, they're compostable when they finally wear out, so they don't end up in a landfill.
Low-Cost Zero-Waste Grooming Hacks (No New Purchases Required)
You don't have to drop $100 on new grooming products to make your routine more sustainable. Try these free or low-cost hacks to cut down on waste tomorrow:
- Make your own all-purpose grooming spray : Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water in a glass spray bottle you already have at home, add 5 drops of lavender essential oil if you want a nice scent. It works as a coat shine spray, detangler for manes and tails, and mild fly repellent, and costs pennies to make.
- Refill old containers at your local feed store : Most local feed stores sell bulk horse shampoo, fly spray, and hoof oil, so you can bring your old empty bottles and fill them up for a fraction of the cost of buying new packaged products.
- Upcycle old clothing into grooming cloths : Cut up old cotton t-shirts or worn-out bath towels to use as grooming cloths instead of buying disposable wipes. They work just as well, and you're giving old clothes a new life instead of throwing them away.
Why These Switches Actually Matter
It's easy to write off sustainable grooming as just another "wellness trend" for riders, but the benefits go way beyond reducing the amount of plastic in your barn trash can. Most conventional grooming products are packed with harsh sulfates, parabens, and synthetic pesticides that can irritate your horse's sensitive skin, disrupt their natural coat oils, and even cause hormonal imbalances with long-term use. The eco-friendly products I've tested use gentle, plant-based ingredients that are just as effective, and often work better for horses with allergies, sweet itch, or sensitive skin. Cutting down on single-use plastic and harsh chemicals at the barn also means less runoff into local pastures, creeks, and waterways, which protects the wildlife and ecosystems we all love to ride through. And for what it's worth? Most of these products last way longer than their conventional counterparts, so you'll actually save money in the long run, even if the upfront cost is a little higher.
At the end of the day, sustainable riding isn't about being perfect, or buying every new eco-friendly product on the market. It's about making small, intentional swaps that work for you, your horse, and the trails you love to ride. Start with one change this week: swap your plastic hoof oil for an aluminum bottle of natural oil, or use a reusable wipe instead of a single-use one. Your horse, your wallet, and the planet will thank you.