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!

How To Plait Your Horse’s Tail July 30, 2008

Firstly if you think your horse will need distracting give him some hay or something similar. Using the body brush give the tail a thorough brush. Holding it in one hand, and start at the bottom in small sections working upwards. Knots come out more easily this way and it prevents them piling up and making a big tangle of hair.

Dampen a water brush and brush the tail, this makes it easier to handle and plait. Beginning at the top take a small section of hair, one from the right, one from the left and one from the middle. Plait with them once, now take another small section of hair from the left side and add it to the left side of the plait. Cross it over to the middle of the plait. Then pick up a small section of hair from the right side of the tail and add it to the right side of the plait. Then cross it all over to the middle. Repeat this until you are three quarters of the way down his tail. Keep even and constant pressure when plaiting and always keep the plait in the centre otherwise it will come out all wonky.

Now give the dock, (the tail bone) a quick squeeze, to feel how far down you are. If you are about three quarters of the way down, start to plait the long hair, as you would to a normal plait, to the end of the tail.

With a plaiting band secure the plait, and fold the plait once underneath. Now you can tuck the end of the plait under the French plait, and secure it with your other plaiting band. Instead you can secure it by using a needle and thread with the end knotted.