Have you been noticing acute or moderate thinning of your hair? If so, you’ll be surprised at the benefits of horse shampoo on your hair!
The main benefit of using horse shampoo on human hair is that it helps to grow your hair quicker than shampoos designed for humans, and it makes your hair stronger, thicker, and shinier. That said, horse shampoo can be very drying on human hair, so ensure that you dilute it with water before using it.
In this article, I’ll be addressing 12 key benefits of horse shampoo on human hair, and I’ve also summarized them in this table below.
| Benefits of Horse Shampoo: | How/Why? | |
| 01. | Safe For Human Use | The ingredients found in horse shampoos are similar to those found in most normal shampoos, so this makes them ideal for use |
| 02. | Increase Thickness of Hair & Combats Hair Loss | Horse shampoos are packed with amino acids and keratin, which are key proteins that promote hair growth |
| 03. | Protects Color | It works by cleaning the hair without actually stripping the hair of its nutrients or its color, so it will help maintain your color treatment for longer |
| 04. | Repairs Split Ends | It does this by adding moisture to the ends so that they are less prone to breakage and damage. |
| 05. | Hypoallergenic | Contains almost all-natural ingredients |
| 06. | Great Smell | It can be described as a mildly floral-scented aroma |
| 07. | Affordable | Horse shampoo usually retails for around $10-$15 |
| 08. | Increases Shine | Horse shampoo is known for its lathering capabilities, meaning that your hair will be thoroughly cleaned, leaving it shiny in appearance |
| 09. | Detangles Hair | Most horse shampoos have an especially pH-balanced formula that helps to eliminate knots and tangles |
| 10. | Helps Oily Hair | The amino acids and proteins found in horse shampoo are notorious for causing hair to become a little drier than usual. |
| 11. | Protects From Sun Damage | Horse shampoo contains Vitamin C which helps protect the hair and scalp from damage from the sun |
| 12. | Combats Lice & Dandruff | Horses often struggle with lice and dandruff, meaning that horse shampoo is formulated to help reduce dandruff and lice for both horses and humans |
Keep reading to find out more about the benefits of using horse shampoo on human hair, as well as some of the key comparisons of the two types of shampoos!
01. Safe For Human Use
Initially, it might seem crazy to use animal products on your own hair. After all, you wouldn’t eat dog food. The truth of the matter is that horse shampoo can provide us, humans, with a wealth of benefits!
First off, horse shampoo is completely safe for human use. In general, the ingredients found in horse shampoos are very similar to those found in most normal shampoos, so this makes them ideal for use!
They don’t have any harmful side effects. However, I must add here that if you overuse horse shampoo, this can make your hair appear flat and weigh it down. Alternatively, too much horse shampoo can dry your hair out as it is packed with proteins, so only use it once or twice a week.
This applies for most normal shampoos anyway, as too much of anything can be harmful!
02. Increase Thickness of Hair & Combat Hair Loss
By using this type of shampoo, it may be possible to increase the thickness of your hair, as well as help prevent hair loss! This is because horse shampoos, as mentioned above, are packed with amino acids and keratin, which are key proteins that promote hair growth.
While horse shampoo can impact everyone differently, there is a good chance that it is going to lower the amount of hair you lose on a daily basis. Horse shampoo also works by swelling the hair shaft. When this happens, it enables the process of hair growth much faster. As the hair shaft receives more nourishment, it has the nutrients to grow stronger and thicker.
03. Protects Color
Surprisingly, horse shampoo is known to help protect hair color! However, this does depend on the type of horse shampoo you purchase, as it needs to be one that is specifically designed for color-treated hair (just like normal shampoo).
It works by cleaning the hair thoroughly without actually stripping the hair of its nutrients or its color, so it will help maintain your color treatment for a longer period of time.
Horse shampoo is also said to bring your color to life, enhancing highlights and treatments.
04. Repairs Split Ends
Horse shampoo was originally designed to repair split ends on the manes and tails of horses. It does this by adding moisture to the ends so that they are less prone to breakage and damage.
However, the best way to ensure healthy ends is to trim them regularly, as least every 6-8 weeks. This also helps your hair grow faster and thicker.
05. Hypoallergenic
Another great thing about horse shampoo is the fact that it is hypo-allergenic simply because it is far more natural than conventional alternatives. This also makes horse shampoo a great solution for people with sensitive scalps.
It may also be beneficial for those who bleach or perm their hair on a regular basis, as the chemicals are not as harsh on the already-stressed hair.
06. Great Smell
Horse shampoo has been reported to smell great, as it is not too strongly scented but you can definitely smell the different ingredients. It can be described as a mildly floral-scented aroma.
07. Affordable
Depending on the brand of horse shampoo that you choose, the price will vary. But in general, horse shampoo usually retails for around $10-$15, with bottles of shampoo and conditioner selling as a combo for around $20 in total.
08. Increases Shine
Horse shampoo is well-known for its ability to enhance shine. Plant-based oils used in certain formulas, such as olive and avocado oil, as known to make your hair a lot shinier.
Horse shampoo is also known for its lathering capabilities, meaning that your hair will be thoroughly cleaned, leaving it super clean and shiny in appearance.
09. Detangles Hair
Most horse shampoos should have an especially pH-balanced formula that helps to eliminate knots and tangles as well as split ends. It needs to have this feature, as horses in competitions and shows cannot have knotty, tangled manes and tails!
10. Helps Oily Hair
Horse shampoo is packed with ingredients that assist with oily hair. The amino acids and proteins found in horse shampoo are notorious for causing hair to become a little drier than usual.
I always recommend horse shampoo to people who suffer from very oily hair, as it combats the problem after the first wash due to its powerful ingredients.
However, I wouldn’t recommend horse shampoo for people who suffer from very dry hair and scalp, as this will only dry your hair out further and leave it unmanageable!
If you really do want to use horse shampoo for its benefits, but you have dry hair, I would recommend using a good moisturizing treatment after you have used the horse shampoo, to restore any moisture that has been lost.
Additionally, you should also limit how often you use horse shampoo. Once a week should be more than adequate the reap the benefits of the shampoo but also avoid drying out your hair too much.
11. Protects From Sun Damage
Horse shampoo contains Vitamin C which helps protect the hair and scalp from damage from the sun. Since it was originally designed for horses, who spend most of their time outdoors in the sun, it is also effective to protect human hair from sun damage.
12. Combats Lice & Dandruff
Horses often struggle with lice and dandruff, meaning that horse shampoo is formulated to help reduce dandruff and lice for both horses and humans!
Pyrethrin is the key ingredient found in shampoos that work to kill lice in particular. Be sure to make sure, if you are purchasing horse shampoo for this particular reason, that you check that this ingredient is included in the product you choose.
How Does Horse Shampoo Differ From Normal Shampoo?
The main difference between horse shampoo and shampoos designed for humans is that the former actually does a better job at targeting issues like thinning hair and hair loss at a more affordable price. That said, horse shampoos are more concentrated than human hair shampoos, which is why they tend to dry out human hair instead of hydrating it.
Horse shampoo and normal shampoos are more similar than you think, but there are still some key differences that separate horse shampoo from normal shampoo, so let’s take a closer look:
| Horse Shampoo: | Normal Shampoo: |
| More affordable | Can be very pricey for the more premium products |
| More concentrated, so less shampoo will last you longer | Less concentrated, so may need to use more to get the desired effect |
| Dries hair out significantly | Should moisturize hair |
| Targets hair loss | Won’t help with hair loss unless especially formulated to do so (usually pay much more) |
| Hypoallergenic | Most normal shampoos are not, unless you buy one specifically (sulfate-free etc) which is usually more expensive |
You’ll be surprised to learn that there are very few differences between human hair and horsehair. Our hair is actually made from many of the same proteins as horse hair, because of this naturally the ingredients are very similar.
The major difference is human shampoo tends to be less concentrated than the horse shampoo.
When buying horse shampoo, you need to make sure that you choose one with the most natural ingredients. This will you to get the results you’re after, without fewer risks.
With that being said, there are still some risks and side effects that you should bear in mind before making the decision to switch from human shampoo to horse shampoo.
Keep reading to find out what some of these are!
Horse Shampoo Side Effects & Precautions
While horse shampoo is known to increase length, shine and manageability, it also carries some risks and side effects that you should definitely be aware of!
When using horse shampoo on your hair, ensure that you dilute it by adding water as it is generally more concentrated than human hair shampoos, thus making your hair dry due to the high keratin levels in the product, and making your hair more frizzy, particularly if you have curly hair.
While horse shampoo can be safely used by humans, always remember it was originally designed for horses, so each person may react differently.
Some of the common risks include:
- Damage to hair due to a high volume of keratin proteins
- Hives, itchiness, and rash, particularly if the formula you use contains benzalkonium chloride
- Hair color may fade (if you use a horse shampoo that is not specially designed for color-treated hair
The important thing to remember is that, if used moderately, horse shampoo should not damage your hair. If you use any product too often it can have adverse effects!
How To Use Horse Shampoo In 3 Simple Steps
How you wash your hair with horse shampoo is almost identical to the way in which you would normally wash your hair, except you will need to use less product with horse shampoo as it is more concentrated and will lather quickly.
The best way to wash your hair using horse shampoo is to start by diluting your shampoo with water. Then, apply 2 teaspoons of the diluted shampoo to your scalp and create a lather; the rundown will clean your hair’s length and ends. Rinse the product out and follow up with a moisturizing conditioner to bring back moisture to your hair.
Here’s how you should do it:
Step 01.
Wet your hair thoroughly with water, and apply a small amount (2 teaspoons) of horse shampoo to your roots and head, until you work up a lather. The key here is to avoid your ends, as they are already lacking moisture and shampoo will only dry them out further.
Focus only on the roots and head area, and only allow a small amount of shampoo to run down the lengths when you rinse it out.
Step 02.
Next, it is imperative that you use conditioner on your ends to prevent your hair from becoming a dry, frizzy mess! Apply about 2 teaspoons to your hair, working from the ends up to your roots. Comb through your hair for a more even coating if you want. Leave in for about 2-3 minutes and then rinse out.
Step 03.
Apply a good leave-in conditioner to your hair and leave it in for about an hour (or overnight depending on how dry your hair feels). Remember that leaving your conditioner in overnight if it doesn’t need to be can weigh your hair down, which is definitely not a good look!
Final Thoughts
While horse shampoos may have mixed reviews, and may not work for every hair type, there are thousands of positive reviews on horse shampoo on the internet as well as success stories where people have seen and felt a huge difference in the length and texture of their hair.
If you’ve never tried it before, I say give it a bash! You have nothing to lose, least of all your hair.