Horse Grooming Techniques & Tips
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Wild horses survive just fine without being groomed, but domestic horses are expected to be free from mud, stains, and dust. Horses that live outside should not be groomed excessively because the grease in the coat helps to keep them warm and dry. For these outside horses, they should have their feet picked out and mud and stains removed; special consideration should be given to areas where tack lies.
Horses will often groom each other with their teeth as a form of social bonding. They will also roll in dust as a way of dry shampooing, and will rub against trees, the equivalent of brushing. As for stabled horses, a full grooming removes dirt and massages the muscles and skin, which stimulates the release of natural oils into the coat and improves circulation. This is most effective when done after exercise, when the body temperature has risen and the horse is warm.
You can also give your horse a quick grooming in the morning before exercise to make the horse comfortable. Just pick out the feet, sponge the face and dock, give a light brushing. This quick grooming can also be used as a time to assess any injuries, missing shoes, weight loss, or other changes.
Removing Mud
Start with the hooves. Pull the hoof pick down each side of the frog from heel to toe. This will remove any caked mud or manure. You may also need to run the pick along the inside of the shoe. Next, move to the body. Remove any dried mud with a rubber curry comb or dandy brush. Be sure to brush in a straight line, in the direction of hair growth. The bristles of the dandy brush are relatively harsh, so avoid use on tender areas such as the belly and clipped areas, or on an animal with a thin coat.
Body and Tail Brushing
Once the mud has been removed, use the body brush to clean and massage the skin.
When beginning, start along the crest of the neck, brushing with the grain in short circular strokes. Apply enough pressure so that the bristles reach down to the skin. After the crest has been thoroughly attended to, flip the mane and work on it a few locks at a time. Use your fingers to remove any tangles, and then brush the mane down from the neck, from the roots downward.
Brush all parts of the body working toward the tail. When brushing sensitive areas, such as the inside of the legs and groin, you should stand close to the horse and to the side so it is unable to kick you. Finish one side, and then do the other. Use the left hand on the left side of the horse and the right hand on the reverse. Put your weight behind the strokes. The process should be tiring; if you are not tired the action may not be vigorous enough.
Use the curry comb. You may need move the halter or take it off so that you can groom underneath the straps. You can keep the body brush clean with a metal curry comb. After every four or five strokes, push the bristles across the curry comb. Time to time, tap the corner of the brush on a hard surface to dislodge any dirt.
When dealing with the tail, remove any knots with your fingers, and then brush it out with a body brush. Make sure that you don’t pull any hairs out; never use a dandy brush or curry comb on the tail. Hold the tail in one hand and shake a small section free. Brush the small section with long, flowing strokes, starting at the bottom. Continue this gradually until you are finished.
Sponging
Some areas need more attention and a sponge can be used to achieve a proper cleaning. The sponge should be damp, but not wet enough to release water into the eye. The idea is to clean the eyelids, so don’t attempt to open the eye. Start at the outside corner and sponge inward so that you do the dirtiest part last. When finished with the eyes, move to the muzzle. Sponge around the lips, and then around the nostrils; you can put the sponge right into a nostril and clean inside it. Then remove any discharges from the outside. Once you are finished with the front, move to the back. Use a different sponge for the dock area. Lift the tail out of the way, and gently sponge the underside of the dock and the whole area under the tail.
Training Hair
Dampening the mane encourages the hairs to lie flat and look neat. Wet the brush and shake it to remove excess water. Place the brush on the base of the mane and work from the roots downward. When it comes to training the tail, dampen the top of the tail with a water brush in the same manner that the mane is done. Pay attention to short hairs that would otherwise stick up. Once you’re finished, you can bandage it to keep it neat.
Finishing Touches
Once you have completed the basic grooming techniques you can give a quick "once-over."
Slightly dampen a grooming cloth and fold it into a flat pad.
Wipe it all over the body in the direction of the hairs to remove any remaining dust. You can also oil your horse’s hooves, for an eye-catching appearance.
Brush any mud off of the hooves before application; in muddy conditions, it may be necessary to wash them.
If you do wash them, dry them thoroughly or else the oil will not act as effectively. Never apply oil to a dirty hoof, as it will seal in the dirt.
Cover the whole hoof, from the bulbs of the heel up to the coronet, with a thin, even coating of oil.
Oil the sole of the hoof too; this will help to prevent mud, ice, and straw from getting packed into the foot.
Horses will often groom each other with their teeth as a form of social bonding. They will also roll in dust as a way of dry shampooing, and will rub against trees, the equivalent of brushing. As for stabled horses, a full grooming removes dirt and massages the muscles and skin, which stimulates the release of natural oils into the coat and improves circulation. This is most effective when done after exercise, when the body temperature has risen and the horse is warm.
You can also give your horse a quick grooming in the morning before exercise to make the horse comfortable. Just pick out the feet, sponge the face and dock, give a light brushing. This quick grooming can also be used as a time to assess any injuries, missing shoes, weight loss, or other changes.
Removing Mud
Start with the hooves. Pull the hoof pick down each side of the frog from heel to toe. This will remove any caked mud or manure. You may also need to run the pick along the inside of the shoe. Next, move to the body. Remove any dried mud with a rubber curry comb or dandy brush. Be sure to brush in a straight line, in the direction of hair growth. The bristles of the dandy brush are relatively harsh, so avoid use on tender areas such as the belly and clipped areas, or on an animal with a thin coat.
Body and Tail Brushing
Once the mud has been removed, use the body brush to clean and massage the skin.
When beginning, start along the crest of the neck, brushing with the grain in short circular strokes. Apply enough pressure so that the bristles reach down to the skin. After the crest has been thoroughly attended to, flip the mane and work on it a few locks at a time. Use your fingers to remove any tangles, and then brush the mane down from the neck, from the roots downward.
Brush all parts of the body working toward the tail. When brushing sensitive areas, such as the inside of the legs and groin, you should stand close to the horse and to the side so it is unable to kick you. Finish one side, and then do the other. Use the left hand on the left side of the horse and the right hand on the reverse. Put your weight behind the strokes. The process should be tiring; if you are not tired the action may not be vigorous enough.
Use the curry comb. You may need move the halter or take it off so that you can groom underneath the straps. You can keep the body brush clean with a metal curry comb. After every four or five strokes, push the bristles across the curry comb. Time to time, tap the corner of the brush on a hard surface to dislodge any dirt.
When dealing with the tail, remove any knots with your fingers, and then brush it out with a body brush. Make sure that you don’t pull any hairs out; never use a dandy brush or curry comb on the tail. Hold the tail in one hand and shake a small section free. Brush the small section with long, flowing strokes, starting at the bottom. Continue this gradually until you are finished.
Sponging
Some areas need more attention and a sponge can be used to achieve a proper cleaning. The sponge should be damp, but not wet enough to release water into the eye. The idea is to clean the eyelids, so don’t attempt to open the eye. Start at the outside corner and sponge inward so that you do the dirtiest part last. When finished with the eyes, move to the muzzle. Sponge around the lips, and then around the nostrils; you can put the sponge right into a nostril and clean inside it. Then remove any discharges from the outside. Once you are finished with the front, move to the back. Use a different sponge for the dock area. Lift the tail out of the way, and gently sponge the underside of the dock and the whole area under the tail.
Training Hair
Dampening the mane encourages the hairs to lie flat and look neat. Wet the brush and shake it to remove excess water. Place the brush on the base of the mane and work from the roots downward. When it comes to training the tail, dampen the top of the tail with a water brush in the same manner that the mane is done. Pay attention to short hairs that would otherwise stick up. Once you’re finished, you can bandage it to keep it neat.
Finishing Touches
Once you have completed the basic grooming techniques you can give a quick "once-over."
Slightly dampen a grooming cloth and fold it into a flat pad.
Wipe it all over the body in the direction of the hairs to remove any remaining dust. You can also oil your horse’s hooves, for an eye-catching appearance.
Brush any mud off of the hooves before application; in muddy conditions, it may be necessary to wash them.
If you do wash them, dry them thoroughly or else the oil will not act as effectively. Never apply oil to a dirty hoof, as it will seal in the dirt.
Cover the whole hoof, from the bulbs of the heel up to the coronet, with a thin, even coating of oil.
Oil the sole of the hoof too; this will help to prevent mud, ice, and straw from getting packed into the foot.