Have you been racking your brains around how to groom your horse as it gets much too hot out there? It should not be a daunting task when done right. Hand in hand with good horse care, grooming is a relatively simple process that is enjoyable for both you and the animal. If done right, you could be your horse’s best friend rather than its worst enemy. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to groom your horse.
Importance Of Grooming
Horse grooming is a very important part of horse care. Grooming is actually an all-year activity, with additional needs coming in the spring and fall to prepare for the warmer and colder seasons. During the summer, you need to groom your horse at least once a week to keep his coat from getting too matted.
Horses may not express their feelings verbally, but they are sensitive animals and they can feel neglected when they aren’t properly groomed. When you groom your horse, you’re helping him not only look good and smell good, but also feel good. This is something that’s important not only to your horse but also to you as well. A horse that feels neglected will be more difficult to control and may even become aggressive towards you. Now that’s something nobody wants!
Here’s a step-by-step guide to groom a horse:
Prepare Yourself
The first thing to do before you groom your horse is to prepare yourself. You should wear clothes that are loose, preferably made of natural fibers like cotton. This will help you avoid irritating the skin on your horse’s body when brushing it.
You should also wear gloves. If you use a metal brush on your horse, you should have a plastic glove on one hand to avoid pain from the metal rim where the bristles meet the handle.
When brushing or combing, start at the top of your horse’s hair and work downwards so that any dirt or debris is removed from the hair rather than being pushed up into it.
Gather the Necessary Equipment
To groom your horse, you will need the following tools:
- A curry comb
- A metal curry comb
- A shedding blade
- Nylon grooming brush
- Rubber curry comb
- Dandy brush
- Horsehair grooming mitt
- Groomer’s duster
- Horse hair conditioner
- Horse shampoo
- Horse tail comb
- Fine-toothed comb
- Mane and tail brush
- Horse dandy brush
Clean Your Horse’s Coat
As your horse sweats, its coat becomes damp. This is when the dust and dirt in the air are collected. Fur that has been collected will cling to skin if not brushed out.
Also, your horse’s coat is its first line of defense against the elements. If it becomes dirty, it will hamper the circulation of air and moisture through its hair to its skin. This can cause your horse discomfort and illness.
Your horse’s coat should be groomed frequently with a curry comb, rub brush and soft cloth to remove dirt and debris. You can do this while your horse is grazing or while in the barn.
The texture of your horse’s coat will determine how often you need to groom him. A short-haired breed, like a Quarter Horse, will only need to be brushed and wiped down about every other day to keep his coat clean. A long-haired breed, such as a Peruvian Paso, may need daily grooming to prevent tangles from forming.
Clip away any matted or tangled hair on your horse’s body with scissors or clippers. If your horse has a thick winter coat, have it clipped during the warmer months to make grooming easier on both of you.
Horses who are turned out in pens or pastures for most of the day can get quite dirty because of mud and dust kicked up by other horses nearby. You will want to wash them at least weekly if they are not clipped.
A sweaty, dirty horse is a big turnoff for potential buyers. The best time to brush your horse’s coat is when it’s wet after bathing.
Clean Your Horse’s Mane and Tail
The mane and tail should be brushed frequently. Your horse’s hair helps to keep its skin healthy and lubricated. It also keeps the animal warm in winter and cool in summer.
If you don’t groom your horse regularly, their hair will start to mat and break off. This can get pretty hot and uncomfortable for your animal; it could also make them sick or lame because of the discomfort.
To clean this part of the animal, you’ll need a brush and scissors (if needed). Use a curry comb to loosen any dirt and an undercoat rake to remove any debris from the mane. Use a slicker brush on the tail to remove all knots before trimming with scissors or clippers if needed. If your horse is uncooperative, it may take some patience!
Clean Your Horse’s Hooves
An essential part of grooming a horse is cleaning their hooves. If you don’t clean your horse’s hooves, they can become black and hard from dirt, grime, and manure.
This can lead to hoof abscesses which are serious for your horse.
In order to properly clean the hooves, you will need a stiff brush, a bucket of warm water with soap, and some towels.
The first step is to fill the bucket with warm water mixed with soap. Hands should be protected when scrubbing the hoof with soap and water because it is slippery when wet.
After scrubbing the hoof with soap and water, use the towel to dry it off before putting on any kind of shoeing protection or shoeing boots.
Trim Your Horse’s Mane and Tail
Horses do not groom themselves, and it is up to their owners to take care of their hair and nails. one of the most basic grooming tasks is trimming your horse’s mane and tail.
The easiest and quickest way to do this is by using a spray bottle filled with water. Use the water as a lubricant for where you want to make the cut. If you are unsure, go for the base of the hair, where it grows from the body, or use your hand as a guide for where the hair should stop. Once you have made your cut (with either scissors or clippers), rub some conditioner into the freshly trimmed area to keep it soft and hydrated.
If you have just bathed your horse, then wait until it dries first before doing this step. A wet horse will react badly when water is sprayed on them just after a bath because they might think they are being washed again!
Conclusion
Now that you know how to groom your horse, be careful not to neglect your horse’s feet.
The hooves need to be trimmed every 4-6 weeks depending on how fast your horse’s hooves grow. Plus, if you notice the hooves are getting too long, it’s a good idea to get them trimmed sooner rather than later. By making sure your horse is well taken care of, you’ll be able to enjoy all the benefits of owning a horse.