Why Groom Your Horse?
Why do horses need grooming? There are several good reasons to groom your horse thoroughly every day.
- It is a great opportunity to check him over, and find any new cuts or lumps.
- It stimulates the production of oil in his coat and gives him a lovely healthy shine.
- Mud and dirt under tack is uncomfortable for your horse and can even cause sores.
- It gives you an opportunity to bond with him.
- He will love it! Most horses find grooming relaxing and enjoyable.
What Equipment Will I Need?
- For basic, everyday grooming, you will need at least the following equipment:
- Body brush - a brush with short, soft bristles used for removing sweat and light dirt
- Dandy brush - a brush with long, stiff bristles used for removing mud. Can also be used on the mane and tail.
- Hoof pick - a hook shaped tool used for cleaning mud and removing stones from the hooves
- Rubber curry comb - used for loosening caked on mud
- Metal or plastic curry comb - used for cleaning the body brush
- Two sponges - one for cleaning around the eyes, the other for cleaning around the nose and muzzle
You may also occasionally need other specialist items, for example:
- Sweat scraper - used for removing excess moisture from your horse when he is very sweaty or wet after bathing
- Mane comb - used for pulling manes
- Scissors - for trimming tails and feathers on legs
- Water brush - for damping down manes and tails
- Stable rubber - for removing dust after grooming and giving a final shine
Many modern grooming products are available these days to make grooming easier, for example, silicone detangling sprays which can be applied to unruly tails and act like hair conditioners. There are also products to give your horse's coat a glossy shine, moisturize his hooves, cover any scars and much more.
How to Groom - General Horse Grooming Tips
Before starting to groom your horse, make sure he is safely tied up and standing quietly. Never walk behind him without warning him that you are there, and take care when tackling ticklish areas like his head, belly, stifle area, and between his back legs.
It is generally better to groom outside as the process creates a lot of dust. If you do have to groom your horse inside his stable, remove his water bucket first (and remember to put it back afterwards!).
Wet horses can't be groomed, as the brushes will just work the mud and dirt into the coat. If your horse comes in wet, allow him to dry before starting.
Keep your grooming equipment clean. It should be washed in warm soapy water at least once a month.
Whether you're preparing for a competition or want to maximise your everyday grooming routine, get started with these horse grooming tips. Help your horse look his best and make sure you're using the right equipment.
Step by Step Guide to Everyday Grooming
- Always start by picking out your horse's feet. Stand by your horse's shoulder, facing his tail. Run your hand down the front of his leg. Most well trained horses will lift their feet up at this stage, but if your horse refuses to co-operate then lean your weight gently against his shoulder until he shifts his balance, then quickly pick the foot up. Use the hoofpick to clean from the heel to the toe, taking care to clean the edges of the shoe and the frog. Remove any stones, which can cause bruising, and caked mud. Picking feet out into a bucket will save you having to sweep the yard up afterwards.
- Use the dandy brush to remove any tangles from the mane, and brush it flat onto his neck. To brush the tail, lift it up by the dock (the bony part) with one hand, and brush the hair downwards. Stubborn tangles should be removed with your fingers to avoid breaking the hair. Always stand a little to one side when grooming the tail, never directly behind the horse.
- If your horse lives outside, use the dandy brush all over him except for his head. This will remove mud and dirt without removing the essential oils that make his coat warm and waterproof. Use the body brush on his head, taking care around the eye area.
- If your horse is clipped, rugged, very sensitive or has a light summer coat, use the body brush over his whole body. If you are grooming the nearside (left) of the horse, use the brush in your left hand, and use your right hand for the offside (right). This enables you to put your bodyweight behind the stroke and be more efficient. Every two or three strokes drag the body brush across the curry comb to clean it.
- Remove any dirt or mucus from his eyes and nostrils with a sponge and warm water.
Horse Grooming Tips for Special Occasions
If you are preparing your horse for a competition or other special occasion, you may want to supplement your normal everyday grooming routine.
- To get him clean, you can bath your horse. This should only be done on warm days, and should not be done too often as it removes too much grease from the coat. Wet your horse thoroughly, avoiding his head, and lather up some shampoo. If your horse has sensitive skin, you will need a special horse shampoo or baby shampoo. Make sure you rinse the coat very thoroughly before removing excess water with a sweat scraper and applying a toweling rug to help dry him off.
- Part of a show turnout is plaiting of the mane and tail. If you are planning to plait, wash the mane and tail a few days before the competition rather than the day before, as otherwise the hair will be too slippery to work with.
- To make your horse look extra smart, trim his whiskers (around the muzzle area) and feathers (the clumps of hair around his fetlocks). Ideally, use a small pair of clippers or special scissors with curved blades, and never do this job in a hurry!
- Apply show shine to his coat and hoof oil to his feet at the last minute for a professional turnout.
A few minutes with the brushes every day is a worthwhile investment, and your horse will be happier (and cleaner!) as a result.
Sara Walker - I graduated from the University of Liverpool with a BA in English and French, and spent many years working as a software trainer and then ...
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