Curry in circular sweeps all over the horse’s body, but be careful over the bony areas of the shoulders, hips, and legs. It covers the key training tips and techniques that have completely transformed the way I work with horses. How to Groom a Horse or Pony. The goal of this step is to loosen up dirt and bring it to the top. Ensure that the grooming kit is far off to one side, and no object is on the ground around the feet of the animal. Gently place the foot back down on the ground and continue until all four feet are done. While a tail brush is more like a normal hairbrush, it’s more apt to rip the horse’s hair. Ideally, you should groom your horse at least once a day. Use a mane and tail comb or brush to make each smooth and silky. Keep your horse in place by tying the lead rope above the height of his withers. The motion used when you brush with a curry comb mimics many massage movements. Explore › guides › outdoors › › Exercise stimulates blood circulation and opens the pores in your horse’s skin, making your grooming more effective. Get that full, healthy look by being gentle and patient as you groom your horse's mane or tail. If you aren’t able to groom your horse every day, your horse should at least receive a visual inspection once a day, either from you or the barn staff where your horse lives. I’ve spent my whole life around horses, and I currently own a POA named Tucker. Start with one of the front legs. Horses learn at ground level by repetition; this means the more you interact with them on the ground and the more they see you, the more familiar and fond of your presence they’ll become. It is usually the first tool used in daily grooming. These eggs can be hard to remove from your horse’s coat. Grooming a Horse. Eye infections need to be treated promptly. You should also regularly groom your horse to maintain a sense of cleanliness. My husband and I started Equine Helper to share what we’ve learned about owning and caring for horses. Wide-Toothed Comb: Another tool you can use to brush out a horse’s mane and tail is a wide-toothed comb. The horse is rubbed or "curried" to help loosen dirt, hair, and other detritus, plus stimulate the skin to produce natural oils. Shedding Blade: A shading blade is a curved comb with little sharp teeth that makes it easy to collect loose hair from your horse. by Adrianne Lake. There are a few reasons why you should always secure your horse before grooming them. The curry comb can be used on the horse’s neck and body, but avoid using it in sensitive areas on the horse’s face and legs. A curry comb can be used from the neck to the dock of the tail. While white and gray horses are beautiful, it can take much longer to get them looking clean. Gather and arrange your grooming tools in a convenient, safe place. To know more about how to clean out your horse’s hooves, check out my article, Cleaning a Horse’s Hoof: Easy Illustrated Guide. This is the soft brush also called the body brush. I’m sharing horse videos EVERY WEEK, so Subscribe Now to stay up-to-date. This is a must-have for shedding season in the spring. Once you have the hoof up, the easiest way to start cleaning the hoof is by taking your hoof pick and starting at the corners of the heel. This is a guide about how to groom your horse!. The last thing I want to do is get on a sore horse and get bucked off! Then you’ll love my new YouTube Channel! Put a halter on the horse and secure him in crossties or tether him in your grooming area using a quick release knot. Ideally, grooming should occur daily, but it's a must before riding. Grooming stable horses should be done on a regular basis to keep a horse’s coat and skin healthy. If your horse flinches every time you groom a certain spot, they are most likely sore in that area. Wear a pair of powder-free rubber gloves. This is a must-have for the summer months! Dirt and mud patches should be removed before tack or blankets are put on the horse so that the saddle or blanket won’t rub the dirt spots uncomfortably. Routinely grooming your horse is more important for keeping your horse’s coat in a better condition. This brush will be used to remove the mud and dirt from your horse’s coat that the curry comb loosened. You can brush the horse’s mane and tail using a tail brush or a hard brush. After currying the body to get rid of the coarser dirt, it's time to go to work with a body brush. If the horse is hardly puffing after a quick hack in the pasture, there is no reason to observe a … The main reason you groom your horse is to get them clean before you tack up to ride. You can watch the video I made here on How to Tie a Quick Release Knot. Hoof Cleaning Brush: A hoof cleaning brush is used to brush any remaining mud or dirt from the hoof wall and the hoof sole of your horse. It includes many of the items mentioned below as well as a carrying case. Her new organization and website seek to inform and educate the horse world about professional equine grooms while providing ample resources for every horse groom. So to begin with I find it helpful to have the horse on my cross side so you can have both hands to do the grooming. Fly Spray: Fly spray is a liquid that you can spray over your horse to repel flies. Believe it or not, dirt and mud are part of your horse’s natural grooming regimen! Wide-toothed combs have teeth that are set further apart and are great for working snarls out of your horse’s tail. A flowing, shiny mane and tail are a joy to behold. Bot Knife: In the summer months, you may notice little yellow dots on your horse’s legs. Then, put 2-3 drops of the horse shampoo into the palm of your hand and rub them together to start the lather. The circular motion works a horse’s muscle and helps with circulation or relieving muscle tension. Using a hard brush to brush out your horse’s mane and tail will be easier on the hair. Taking care of your horse's coat, hooves and hair provides an opportunity for you to check for injuries or irritations. There are many benefits of grooming your horse. A different sponge or washcloth can be used to clean around the dock area (around the tail) of the horse. To pick out your horse’s hooves, stand beside the leg you want to pick up. Actually, the grooming can remove the dust and dirt as well as bring out the natural oils, which result in a shiny as well as healthy appearing coat. While grooming your horse. ; When hosing your horse, direct the stream of water from the front to the back so that … If you're tying your horse t… Squeeze the back of the leg along the tendons just above the pastern and say "up," "hoof," or whatever word your horse responds to. Hold the hoof and with the hoof pick pry out any dirt, manure, or grit lodged in the frog or sole of the foot. This brush will look like a hard brush except with soft bristles. EXPLORE COLLECTIONS CREATE + back to brit + co. Sign In Sign Up. If your horse reacts by laying back his ears or swishing his tail in agitation, he is telling you that the brushing is too vigorous. help you to become a groom Queen. Slide your hand down the left foreleg. This longer-bristled, stiff brush will get rid of what the curry comb missed. Curry Comb: Although called a comb, a curry comb looks more like a brush. Scissors are also used to trim the fetlocks. Cleaning your horse’s hooves frequently can help prevent this. I try to brush out my horse’s mane and tail at least once a month to keep them from getting to tangled and to keep dreadlocks from forming. A hard brush has stiff bristles, much like a broom. With a damp sponge or soft cloth, wipe around the horse’s eyes and muzzle and clean away any dirt or chaff. Thank you for reading, and good luck grooming your horse! About Us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Contact | Sitemap, My horse training course is now live! Begin every step by starting at the neck of the horse and then moving down his body. Here are the steps for a basic horse grooming routine: Grooming your horse has many great benefits, as it gives you time to spend with your horse and allows your horse to understand that human touch is a good thing. Hard Brush: Good for sweeping away the dirt, dust, and hair that was loosened by the rubber curry comb. The curry comb breaks up mud patches and helps bring underlying dirt to the surface of your horse’s coat. If you’ve been in a horse lesson program, you can probably remember one of the first things your learned was how to groom a horse; this is because grooming your horse is an essential part of being a horse owner! So far, you have cleaned up your horse’s body, mane, and tail—now it’s time for detailing. Soft Brush: A soft brush looks like a hard brush but has soft bristles. With sweeping strokes, whisk away any dust missed by the body brush. The best knot for securing a horse is a quick release knot that allows you to release your horse quickly in the event that something goes wrong. The procedure for grooming a hot horse will likely change according to the circumstances. Remove any mud, grit, dust, and other debris before trying to put a real shine on your horse’s coat. Check ears for lodged seed heads or dirt. Thrush is a common infection that affects the horse’s hooves. Whether you’re working with a young horse, a rescue, or any horse that is a little untrusting, grooming can go a long way in the training process. When using this brush, brush over the coat the way that the hair falls. Pick up each hoof in turn and, using a hoof pick, remove all dirt and debris from the hooves, checking for loose shoes and lost nails. We will help you to name the brushes And we will give you some tips on how to use the brushes. Grooming a horse safely and correctly is a very important part of daily horse care. When using this brush, follow the way of the hair in your horse’s coat. Hoof Pick: A hoof pick is a narrow tool that has a metal edge used for removing dirt from a horse’s hooves. So often, all our horses know us for is constantly asking something from them. Starting on the left side, or "offside," use your curry comb or grooming mitt to loosen the dirt in your horse’s coat. The length of the horse’s hair and the color of their coat also greatly impact how easy it is to get them clean. You should try and pick out your horse’s hooves at least once a day to protect against bacterias like thrush taking root. As you groom your horse, be aware of any injuries they may have or reactions that grooming may cause. This way, your horse can be inspected for any injuries or cuts they may have and their coat and hooves can be thoroughly cleaned to ward of fungal and bacterial infections. These clippers are much like the electric clippers you may use to give someone a haircut, although more heavy-duty. Many horses are sensitive about having their bellies and between the back legs brushed (although some love it). Some horses are fussy about having their ears handled, so go slowly and be careful not to pinch or pull hairs. By grooming your horse, you remove any patches of mud and dirt that could cause uncomfortable rubbing under the saddle. To properly brush out your horse’s tail, hold the tail and stand to the side of your horse’s rump to avoid getting kicked. Now I’m going to show you how to brush your horse with a soft brush. To properly groom a horse, it’s important to thoroughly know each piece of equipment and how it should be used. This site is owned and operated by Wild Wire Media LLC. Encourage a bond with your horse while grooming. You should groom, or at least, check your horse every day even if you do not ride. However, horses that live more naturally, as in a large pasture, groom themselves by rubbing on trees or fences and rolling. Grooming the horse is important for a number of different reasons. But before you even begin to groom your horse, you must understand how to safely handle your horse. Use the best horse shampoo. It is vital for keeping your horse happy, healthy, clean and ailment free. Grooming your horse provides an opportunity to spend time with your horse other than just sitting on their back and riding. Another reason to secure your horse is to keep them from reaching back and biting you. By teaching you how to groom a horse for beginners. You can learn more here. At this point, check your horse’s eyes. Lather your horse’s mane and tail. GROOMING ALL MY HORSES in ONE Video! When you are done with the face, use the cloth to wipe around the dock and tail head. Fungus forms in the horse’s hooves and will eat away at the hoof wall and the sole of the hoof. Curry or Currycomb: A tool made of rubber or plastic with short "teeth" on one side that slides onto the hand of the groom. Gently whisk away dust from the broader areas on your horse’s face, ears, and throat. From there, start at the bottom of the horse’s tail and work your way up as you get passed knots and tangles. Some horses have a biting problem while others may simply be trying to tell you that the spot you’re grooming is sore. Horse Mask Explanation, The Difference Between Horses and Ponies: Complete Guide, Top 8 Biggest Horses & Horse Breeds (With Pictures). The rigid bristles may cause discomfort if you brush too hard. Quartering – This is classed as the first groom of the day for a stable kept horse. A bot knife is a tool that can be used to remove these eggs. A bit of tearing at the corner of the eye is not uncommon, but take note of excess tearing, redness, or swelling. I can’t overemphasize the benefits of currying with lots of elbow grease. The hoof pick is used to clean out the horse’s hooves and should be done before and after the horse is ridden, turned out, or taken from its stall. Professional Equine Grooms' Liv Gude: Life as a Horse Groom. Grooming also gives you the opportunity to touch the horse’s entire body, from the tip of their ears to the tip of their tail, ensuring that they aren’t afraid of physical contact in specific areas. I take you along side me while I groom all my horses in one video! Third is Grooming the Face, Mane and Tail. Thank you for reading, and happy trails! Don’t sit your bucket or box too close to your horse where he could knock it over, or where you might trip over it as you move around your horse. To effectively use this brush, run it over your horse’s coat in small circular motions. Bathing: When bathing your horse, use soft sponges, as they hold more water. At these corners, there is a groove in the horse’s hoof that allows you to get a better hold of the mud so you can remove it. This brush is more gentle than the other ones and is great for removing excess dust. Use a pair of scissors to trim the bottom of the horse’s tail, mane, and whiskers. Being horse insurance specialists, it won’t surprise you to hear that most of us in the SEIB office own horses. Do you love horses? When brushing the tail, stand to one side and pull the tail gently over to you, making sure you are out of the way should the horse kick. If you do this, you may want to use detangler spray to make brushing easier. Mane-Pulling Comb: A mane pulling comb is a metal comb used specifically for pulling and thinning the horse’s mane. Once you’ve brought the dirt to the surface of your horse’s coat using a curry comb, you can use a hard brush to remove the dirt. https://www.thesprucepets.com/how-to-groom-your-horse-1886027 With the body brush, whisk out the dirt brought to the surface. Towel/Rag: Another material you can use to clean the more sensitive areas of your horse is a towel or rag. These types of brushes look like a normal hairbrush that you may use on your hair. The same goes for the level of work in the actual ride. Depending on the type, these can provide sun protection and add shine to your horse’s coat, but they aren't necessary. If you don’t have any grooming supplies yet, this horse grooming Kit from Amazon is a great place to start. Especially in the winter, sweat tends to dry out clipped coats. Grit beneath the saddle or girth or cinch will be uncomfortable for your horse and could cause saddle or girth sores. Grooming your horse is just one of the many daily tasks involved in owning a horse. Starting with what brushes you need, proper use of each brush, and considering safety at every step. A hoof pick usually has an angle to help you get better leverage when removing packed dirt. When using this brush, make sure you brush the way the hair lays on the horse. When it comes to grooming, you can use them to trim and even out the horse’s mane and tail. This also reduces injury and keeps your horse happier and healthier! In this article we’ve collated our top handy hints for how to groom a horse – both day-to-day and in preparation for a big show day. Scissors: Scissors come in handy when you’re at the barn. Although some horses are trained well enough to stand still while grooming, many will feel the natural need to move their feet and shift around. Try to avoid application to the saddle area. When learning how to groom your horse, start by standing off to the side as pictured above when grooming the tail, especially if you don't know him very well.. You'll follow the same steps as for the mane: Start at the bottom, and work your way up slowly, gently untangling any knots. Since it’s soft bristles are more gentle, it can be used on your horse’s face and legs. Grooming gives both you and your horse a chance to relax. A finishing brush, which has shorter, softer bristles, helps to bring out the shine on your horse’s coat and can be used on your horse's or pony's face if you don’t have a special brush just for that. Clean the Ears, Eyes, Muzzle, and Dock Area, Tips to Groom a Horse That Doesn't Like Being Groomed, Essential Products and Supplies for Every Horse Owner, A Picture Guide to the Different Parts of a Horse, How to Tell If a Horse Is Lame on a Front or Back Leg, Parts of a Horse's Hooves and Their Functions, Basic Equipment You Need for Your First Horse, Grease Heel, Greasy Heel, Scratches or Mud Fever, 8 Ideas for Decorating Your Horse for a Costume Class or Parade. You can sweep this brush over your horse’s body to remove the broken up dirt and mud. Before you clean your horse’s hooves, make sure you understand the anatomy of the hoof. You can use this brush all over your horse’s body, including their face, legs, and belly. Stand next to the horse’s leg with your back to the horse’s head, looking towards his bum. A curry comb is also great for getting all of your horse’s scratches! Now you'll begin grooming away all the loosened dirt and hair. You can use a stiff brush lightly on your horse’s legs and face. Equinehelper.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Use a hard brush to brush the dirt and mud from your horse’s coat. It also gives you a chance to see if your horse has any soreness throughout its body that could be affected by your ride. Although your horse may be trained to stand still, many horses will feel the need to shift and move their feet whilst they are being groomed. These are bots eggs, which are eggs laid by flies. If you want to go the extra mile of grooming your horse, you can use a soft brush next to remove any remaining dust on your horse’s coat. Use a rubber curry comb in a circular motion on the fleshy parts of your horse’s body. Here are some of the main benefits of grooming your horse: Grooming your horse is a great way to desensitize them to human touch. It is a great time to check over the horse for any issues on his skin, back, and girth area and to get an idea of how the horse is feeling that day. Many times, hoof picks will be double-sided and have a hoof cleaning brush on the other side of the hoof pick. Sponges: You can use sponges to give your horse a bath or to spot-clean them. If you find anything, assess the injury to decide if you want to treat it yourself or if you need a vet. To learn how to pull your horse’s mane, check out my article on Pulling a Horse’s Mane: Step By Step Guide For Beginners. If you plan to ride, however, then you must be aware that some products may make the hair slippery and could cause your saddle to shift. Gently clean around your horse’s eyes and nose with a wet/damp sponge or washcloth. So, as a team we have plenty of practice when it comes to getting – and keeping our horses – clean. When grooming, you have several options. Bathe your horse thoroughly with Cowboy Magic® Rosewater Shampoo, working on one section at a time, from the front of the horse to the back, and from the top of the horse to the bottom. One of the most obvious benefits of grooming your horse is it gives you an opportunity to clean your horse. Clippers: You can use electric clippers to trim the whiskers on your horse’s face, the feathers on their lower legs, and a bridlepath in their mane. To use this brush, brush over the coat the way that the hair on your horse lays. There are fungal and bacterial infections horses can get from dirt, mud, and guck covering their coats or packing in their hooves. Eventually, your horse may come to love having its ears groomed. It’s best not to incorporate this into a daily grooming routine, because if you did this every day, the horse’s mane and tail would become much too thin. Avoid the bony parts of the legs, as this would be uncomfortable for the horse. Mane and tail comb (plastic causes less breakage than metal), Hoof ointment if recommended by your farrier (optional). Some horse owners like to clip their horse’s entire body to keep the horse’s coat short and polished. Grooming allows you to interact with your horse and communicate with them without demanding anything from them. This will help to bring dirt to the surface of the horse’s coat. Hard Brush: A hard brush is a brush that has stiff bristles, much like a broom. Start with a mane comb or brush at the bottom of the strands and brush downward in sections until you can smoothly comb from the top to the bottom. Horses are easily distracted, which means they like to wander off frequently. This is why you may notice your horse stretching their neck up when you use the curry comb; it feels good to them and it’s probably helping to relieve some of the tension built up in the muscle! Most horses … Hi! The first thing you’ll want to do before you groom your horse is to secure them. … You can help other horse owners and help me continue to create content by sharing this article with one of the buttons below! It is necessary to regularly groom your horse not only to keep him clean but also to inspect him to ensure that he is healthy and not injured in any way. Rub the shampoo into the horse’s mane until it’s well lathered. Grooming your horse before you ride allows you to inspect them for injuries or soreness before you hop on their back. Step by Step Instructions Next You'll Move onto Soft Brushing. You may tie your horse or you can have another handler hold the horse. If you’ve ever watched The Karate Kid, think of the wax-on, wax-off movement. Sweat Scraper: A sweat scraper is a curved tool that is used to scrape excess sweat or water off of your horse. After a ride, when your horse is sweaty, grooming helps to dry them off and prevents them from getting cold and stiff. How do you groom a horse? Start on one side and move around the horse brushing in sweeping strokes following the direction of the hair growth. Mane & Tail Brush: A mane and tail brush is a brush used specifically for brushing out a horse’s mane and tail. Next, you’ll want to pick out your horse’s hooves. A wide bucket may be cheapest and easiest to put your brushes in, although there are lots of grooming boxes on the market that keep your tools organized and handy. This is a good time to check for lesions and skin irritations on the legs, knees, and pasterns like small cuts and nick, or perhaps even problems like grease heel. A grooming spray that detangles hair is nice to have, as it makes brushing out the long strands easier while cleaning, shining and protecting the hair. Some of these items are seasonal and won’t be used frequently; however, they can make your life much easier when it comes to grooming. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. You can pull up on the horse’s feathers or pinch their leg right above their pastern to cue them to raise their hoof. For example, the way a rider decides to groom a horse after riding in the summer will be different from how she grooms in the winter. You should groom a horse before you take it out for riding or exercising. A bot knife has little teeth that help grip the hair and rip the bot egg out. Check for any injury and signs of thrush, grease heel, or other problems, and take note of any cracks in the wall of the hoof, so you can consult with your farrier as to what should be done. Always make certain that the horse is secure safely in cross ties, within a clean and safe aisle. Liv Gude, creator of Professional Equine Grooms, wants to put horse grooms in the spotlight. Another thing you can do is brush out your horse’s mane and tail. It helps create a bond with the horse, and it allows you to become familiar with the horse’s body (especially the legs) and check for scrapes, swellings, or … A metal comb must be used to do this, as a plastic comb could easily break. There have been a few times when I learned that my horse shouldn’t be ridden that day just by the way they reacted when I was grooming them. When it comes to brushing your horse, the first tool you’ll want to use is a curry comb. Also, your horse should be groomed after a bath to again help with drying their coat off and also to smooth out their coat and untangle their mane and tail. Either way, you can maintain a level of safety by securing your horse. It’s always important to have a full supply of the necessary grooming tools. While currying, look for any skin lesions or wounds. Use a curry comb to break up dirt and mud patches and to bring the dirt under your horse’s coat to the surface. Horses that live out in pasture 24/7 can get injuries that no one would notice if they aren’t checked on daily. Today we’ll be talking about how to groom a horse. How to Groom a Horse Before Riding: This is a basic guide to grooming a horse before riding. These can be used to remove dust and dirt from your horse’s legs, face, muzzle, and around the genital area. However, it should not be used on sensitive areas like the face or the legs unless you use it very gently. Keep reading to get an in-depth look at how to correctly groom your horse. For the health of your horse, have someone lay eyes on them regularly. A hard brush can also be used to brush your horse’s mane and tail. Tie the horse securely and safely with cross ties or with a quick-release knot. Don't worry about hurting the horse, it feels just like a massage to them. There are certain parts of the hoof that you won’t want to dig the hoof pick into, like the frog which is in the middle of the hoof. - Carmella, Cleaning a Horse’s Hoof: Easy Illustrated Guide, Why Do Horses Wear Masks? For more horse care tips, here are a few more of my articles you might be interested in: P.S. How to groom a horse . Let’s review the different supplies you can use now. Use a quick-release knot, securing him to a post, or have a friend or colleague hold the rope. Katherine is an avid horseback rider and trainer who contributed to The Spruce Pets for over 12 years, publishing 400+ articles. The finer bristles help smooth out the body hair and leave your horse looking more finished and glossy. When you think you are done, apply a grooming spray.

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