How to Groom Your Horse August 11, 2008

Firstly make a routine and stick to it. The routine insures you won’t forget any important things like picking out the feet. Your horse will most likely be relaxed by your pattern.

It is very important you pick out the horses hooves otherwise dirt or stones would get packed in, causing your horse to go lame. The first tool to use is the hoof pick, run your hand down his leg and pick it up. Clean the hoof from heel to toe, being careful not to dig into the frog (the V shape in the middle of the hoof.) It is essential to check for stones or other hard materials that may damage the hoof.

Next use the Dandy brush and use short flicking strokes. Start by his neck, and work your way down the body and down the legs. Remembering to brush in between all of his legs, and cleaning the brush regularly on the plastic curry comb, by cleaning your brushes it prevents putting the dirt right back onto the horse. The more frequently you do this , the less often you’ll need to wash your grooming kit.

Using a rubber curry comb is good for when your horse is molting, or you just want to work the circulation. Use it in firm, circular movements all over his body but try to stay away from his legs. Pressing down firmly on heavily muscled areas and rubbing lightly on tender spots.

Now get your body brush and use short flicking stroke, all over the body. The body brush sweeps the skin free of larger particles. Brush down the legs and in between the creases of the skin to stop any sores or rubs forming. Also pay attention to where the tack sits, especially around the girth area.

Slightly dampen a clean sponge, and wipe around each eye with it, gently around the nostrils. Then dampen a different sponge and wipe under the horse’s dock, which is under the tail bone and around his bottom.


The skin will now be clean but the hair will be filled with fine dust, an the greasy dust called scurf. To remove that rub the horse thoroughly with a stable rubber, or a Tea Towel. Now you can go and ride!

Grooming Gear August 3, 2008

Each brush or comb serves a different use and the most common items I have listed below.

A Dandy Brush – A brush with long stiff bristles used for removing dry surface dirt out of the coat, usually used on the less sensitive parts of the horse’s body.

A Body Brush – This usually has either a hard or soft and is used to remove the grease and dust from the coat and can be used on sensitive areas such as the head. The Body Brush should be rubbed over a curry comb during grooming.

A Hoof Pick – Hoof Picks are metal or plastic and are used to remove dirt and stones packed into the the horse’s hooves.

A Plastic and Rubber Curry Comb – Plastic or Rubber curry combs are made to remove mud and loose hairs from the horse.

Sponges – One used for cleaning eyes, nose and muzzle and another to clean the dock area. (Remember not to mix the sponges up!)

A Mane Comb – Mostly metal, sometimes plastic, are used to comb the mane and tail.

A Water Brush – Used when putting water onto the horse’s coat, mane or tail when dampening or washing.

A Sweat Scraper – Used to wipe away sweat or excess water after washing.

A Metal Curry Comb – These should never be used on the horse itself, but are used for removing the dust and dirt from the Body Brush while grooming.

A Stable Rubber or Soft Tea Towel – A stable rubber or good tea towel can be dampened and wiped over the body to give the horse a final polish.

A Tail Bandage – A Tail bandage is used to keep the tail laying flat while grooming.

To wash your brushes, fill a bucket with lukewarm water and add some soap, I wouldn’t recommend using detergent on anything that will touch your horse’s skin. Leave your brushes soaking until all the grime and dirt has come loose then rinse them thoroughly and leave the brushes to dry bristle-side down. If you have leather or wooden backed brushes, keep the water level shallow enough that the backs will not be immersed in water.