How to Groom Your Horse

Horses

Horse Grooming Tips

Grooming is an important part of being a horse owner, as it is a daily activity in their lives. If you’re a first-time horse owner, you are going to need the right products and directions to get your horse looking great. Read our tips and tricks below for becoming an effective horse groomer. 

Horse Grooming Tools

A good horse groomer uses the right tools so that they can get the job done and keep their horse comfortable while doing it. When it comes to grooming your horse, you will need the following horse grooming supplies:

  • A curry comb to clean a horse’s coat of dried, caked-on mud, loosening dirt, and shedding hair.
  • Horse brush sets are essential in grooming a horse and the best groomers have multiple brushes that can tackle different cleaning challenges. The type of brushes you buy will depend on what your horse likes or if it has sensitive skin. 
  • Make sure to keep sponges, wipes, and rags around to wipe off the horse and make any final touches while cleaning. 
  • Silicone spray can be used to make the horse slick and shiny after grooming. It can also be used as a magnet for coat-dulling dust and can detangle the tail’s strands and minimize breakage. Silicone spray should not be used in place of grooming, but it can be used to maximize your efforts.

Put in the Effort

To get your horse looking its best, you have to work hard. Grooming can be tiring, and you need to apply some muscle when you are currying the horse. When brushing the horse, work from front to back applying multiple short, swift strokes in the direction that the hair lies, and end each stroke with an upward flick in order to pull the dirt out of the coat. This may take a long time and your arms will most likely be exhausted by the end, but that is how you know you are doing a good job.

Be Gentle

You may think that shampooing your horse often will keep its coat looking great, but this is not the case. Shampooing too frequently can strip away natural skin oils and leave your horse’s skin feeling dry and itchy. Instead, rinse the horse with just water to get rid of dirt or sponge them down after a workout. When you do shampoo them, be sure to use a shampoo that fits your horse’s needs. Some shampoos are formulated for frequent use or deep cleaning, and some are used to enhance light or dark coat colors or block ultraviolet rays.

Pay special attention to a horse’s tail and mane when grooming. The best way to approach caring for your horse’s hair is by using your own hands instead of any tools. Use a detangler, like a conditioner or a silicone spray, and use your fingers to comb through sections of hair while gently massaging out any tough knots and burrs.

The Importance of a Horse’s Diet

All of the grooming in the world won’t make your horse’s coat look the best it can be if the horse’s diet is lacking. Feed is an important part of ensuring your horse’s coat looks shiny and lustrous. Consult with your veterinarian if you have concerns as they may recommend a diet change or suggest a supplement that is designed to support skin and coat health

Grooming is key to making your horse look great whether you are planning on showing the horse or you just want to keep it healthy and clean. Being an effective groomer means paying attention to your horse’s needs and getting to know everything about its physical appearance. Grooming builds a bond between you and your horse and is important to creating trust in your partnership.