Horses are incredible animals and most of us dream of owning a horse. However, most people don’t realize the amount of work and dedication it takes to care for your equestrian friend.
One of the small things that is frequently done is grooming, and it should not be underestimated.
Grooming a horse isn’t just about keeping it clean: it’s a way to create a strong bond with your equine friend while ensuring their overall health and well-being. You may not be preparing your horse for Breeders’ Cup 2023but itβs still a task that needs to be done at least once a week.
Most people think of grooming as a process that makes the horse more visually appealing, but in reality, grooming has many health benefits for the horse and can prevent various skin problems.
So, in today’s article we will go through the process of grooming a horse, find out what you need and how to do it correctly.
Gather your supplies
The first and obvious step is to get everything you need to groom a horse. You will need a curry comb, a stiff brush, a soft brush, a hoof pick, a mane and tail comb, detangling spray, sponges, water and with a towel.
It may seem overwhelming at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s not a difficult process.
Once you have gathered all the equipment needed for grooming, it is time to move on to the first step of the grooming process.
Suggested reading: Unique Horse Names
Tie up your horse
Safety first! Horses love to be groomed, but even if your horse is sitting in one position and not moving much, he may shift his weight or move his feet during grooming. The best way is to tie up your horse.
The best way to tie a horse for grooming is to choose a position that matches the height of his withers (shoulders) and use a quick-release knot.
Start with the curry comb
This is one of the steps that horses love, simply because the massaging action of the curry comb stimulates blood circulation and helps your equine friends relax.
The role of the curry comb is to remove dirt, dust and dead hair from your horse’s coat. Remember to make circular movements when brushing your horse and avoid sensitive areas.
Switch to a stiff brush
Once the dirt, dust and loose hair are on the surface, it’s time to remove them using a stiff brush. However, this time it is better not to use circular motions when brushing and there are several reasons for this.
First, you need to remove the dirt brought to the surface by the brush, and a circular motion can push the dirt away. Instead, you should brush in the direction your horse’s hair grows.
This brushing technique will not only clean your horse but also give its hair a polished shine. To give the horse even more shine, you can use a soft brush for a smooth finish.
Suggested reading: How much does a horse weigh
Be careful with sensitive areas
After grooming your horse’s coat, the work is not done. You still need clean their eyesears and muzzle.
To do this safely, be sure to use a damp sponge or stable rubber cloth. The idea is to gently wipe around these sensitive areas. While you are cleaning your horse, it may be a good time to check for signs of eye infectionsswelling or redness of the horse’s ears.
Use a comb for the mane and tail
Gently detangle the mane and tail using a specialized comb and detangling spray.
But before using the comb, make sure you go in and carefully detangle the hairs. Use your fingers to part the horse’s mane and tail, and you can use your brush to smooth the hairs.
Starting at the ends, work your way up to prevent hair breakage. A well-tamed mane and tail not only look great, but also prevent tangles that can cause discomfort.
Clean the hooves
The process of grooming a horse doesn’t just focus on the horse’s coat. You also need to clean the clogs.
Clean your horse’s hooves using a hoof pick. Carefully remove dirt, rocks and debris from the hooves, checking for signs of thrush or other problems. Clean hooves are essential to your horse’s overall well-being.