Tips to Horse Grooming

Grooming your horse regularly is essential if you want him or her to remain healthy and happy. Most horses enjoy grooming, and this is a good time for you to bond with your animal. These tips to horse grooming can help you groom more efficiently and effectively.

The feet

A grooming session should always start with picking out the feet. Use a quality hoof pick, and pick from the heel to the toe so that you do not risk injuring yourself or the horse. Remember to use a gentle touch around the frog and to use the brush on the other end of your hoof pick to get rid of the small particles. Check for any pain or sole bruises while you are picking the feet.

Use that curry

Curry combs are great for getting rid of caked-on mud and grime. Use a rubber or plastic curry in a circular motion to loosen this grime before you brush. It is sure to make the actual brushing easier.

Stiff to soft

Use a stiff brush first. This gets rid of the large particles of dirt. Then, use a soft brush to smooth the coat and add shine.

The knotted tail

It is hard to brush knots out of manes and tails. Start with a good spray of leave-in conditioner such as Show Sheen or Laser Sheen. Then, brush out only the bottom of the tail, and work your way up slowly. It also helps to divide the tail into sections and brush one section at a time.

Regular grooming keeps your horse healthy and happy. Follow these tips, and enjoy the look of your clean, pampered horse or pony.