Learning how to properly groom your horse is essential for maintaining your horse’s health and fostering a close rapport between the rider and the horse. To encourage a robust and healthy coat, regular and thorough grooming of your horse is essential. These instructions, which comprise the fundamental procedures required to groom your horse, are designed to act as a checklist that you can use each time you do so.
Supplies (pictured above)
A lead line, curry comb, hard (stiff), soft, mane and tail brushes, a hoofpick, a cloth or washcloth, and fly spray are required.
Step 1: Use a Lead Rope to Secure Your Horse
Use a quick release knot to securely fasten your horse before you start grooming. You can start grooming your horse after making sure it is restrained.
*Link to how to tie a quick release knot
Step 2: Use the Curry Comb to Loosen Excess Dirt and Mud
To remove extra muck and filth, start by rubbing the rubber curry comb in small circular motions that are about the size of your palm. Beginning at the horse’s neck, work your way down either side. The face, spine, and legs of your horse should not be touched with the curry comb due to their sensitivity.
*Metal curry combs are available but do not use them. They are harsh and can injure the horse.
Step 3: Use a Hard/stiff Brush to Remove Dirt and Mud
Start at the neck of the horse and work your way towards the rear of the horse with the hard/stiff brush. Use short, brisk strokes to remove the excess dirt and mud that was loosened with the curry comb. Avoid using the hard brush on sensitive areas of the horse including the face, ears, and legs as this can cause discomfort and irritation to the horse.
Step 4: Use a Soft Brush to Remove Any Remaining Dust and to Groom Sensitive Areas
To get rid of the final bit of dust on your horse’s body, use the gentle brush. Use this brush to groom delicate areas as well, like the legs and face. Brush the face gently with a soft brush (you can get smaller soft brushes to help with this). Next, using this brush on both sides of the horse, brush the entire body of the animal, starting at the head and moving down to the rump.
Step 5: Use a Sponge or Washcloth to Clean Your Horse’s Face
Apply a wet/damp sponge or washcloth to the area around your horse’s eyes and nose and clean it gently. Cleaning the area around the horse’s dock (the area around the tail) can be done with a separate sponge or washcloth. It is crucial to remember not to use the same sponge or washcloth if you will be grooming different horses. To stop the spread of infection or germs, each horse should have their own sponge or washcloth.
*You can also use a separate sponge or cloth to clean the dock area of the horse. Do NOT use the same sponge on the face and the dock.
Step 6: Use a Wide-tooth Comb or Mane and Tail Brush to Brush Out the Mane and Tail
Warning: When performing this step, DO NOT STAND DIRECTLY BEHIND the horse!
To start, work any significant knots out of your horse’s mane and tail with your fingers. With one hand, gather a fistful of the horse’s mane, and with the other, softly comb through it. Try to maintain a hand or arm in contact with the horse while combing out the tail so that they are aware of your presence. DO NOT STAND DIRECTLY BEHIND THE HORSE.
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*If needed, detangling spray for horses is available and can be used to aid in detangling a particularly knotted mane or tail. These sprays also make the horse’s mane and tail shine and can be used for special occasions.
*Some professional groomers do not use combs in their horse’s hair because the comb sometimes pulls hair out.
Step 7: Use a Hoofpick to Clean Your Horse’s Hooves
You must first raise your horse’s hoof. After you run your palm down the backs of their legs, the majority of horses will elevate their hooves. You can GENTLY compress the tendon on the back of the leg if your horse won’t lift its foot. It’s crucial to avoid oversqueezing this tendon because doing so can cause lameness. To get rid of any rocks, mud, sand, or other foreign things from your horse’s hoof, lift the hoof and then use the hoofpick to scrape from the heel of the hoof toward the toe. Be very careful not to use the hoofpick to scrape the frog of the hoof. If scratched, the frog, a very delicate V-shaped portion of the hoof, could become lame.
*It is very important that you clean your horse’s hooves out before and after riding to prevent injury.
Step 8: Use Fly Spray When Necessary to Protect Your Horse
Spraying your horse with fly spray (designed for horses) at the conclusion of your grooming session will help protect him or her from these bothersome insects during the months of the year when flies are present. Avoid spraying the horse’s face with fly spray, and use it according to the directions on the package.
*To give your horse’s coat extra shine, you can spray your horse with ShowSheen.
*The horse in the photo above appears to have his face being sprayed with fly spray, but he simply rotated his head to watch me spray the rest of his body.