How to Groom Your Horse for Health

Grooming your horse is something essential for any age or use of horse. It allows for health, daily maintenance, catching problems early and producing a horse who looks well.

You will need some basic tools. These can be found at any farm or tack store and should be kept stocked up. Maintaining your grooming tools is essential - if brushes get dirty a good soak in a soapy disinfectant bath then drying in a sunny area helps prolong their life and allows for a better grooming job. The basic minimum tools: a rubber curry or mitt, a hard bristle brush, a soft bristle brush, a towel, comb, hoof pick. There are additions that make it even easier. Good brushes are an investment - get decent quality tools. A few tips - expect to pay around $20 for the basics. Get brushes that fit your hands. If the large brushes are too difficult to hold get the smaller "pony" brushes...you'll be using the brushes quite a bit. Have a small tote or carrier for ease in keeping your tools together.

The rubber curry comb is the first tool you'll use. With this focus on the large muscular areas...rub in a circular motion as hard as your horse allows (he'll let you know when it's uncomfortable). Be very careful and gentle on the lower legs and face - ideally on these areas you'll have a rubber mitt that isn't as rough. When horses are shedding the rubber curry is an ally - it brings dead skin, dandruff, hair and dirt to the surface. If the curry gets full of dirt tap it firmly on a solid surface. Work from behind the ears down the neck, chest, shoulders, from back to tail, over ribs and under the belly. If you're right handed use that for the curry action - with the other hand rest it on the horse. There's a couple of reasons for this - it gives the horse another touch point and, especially as you work backwards, you can feel tension if he's uncomfortable...and if he tenses to kick you can push him off balance. When done with the first side move to the off side and repeat.