Grooming your horse regularly will enable to you to keep his coat and hooves in good condition as well as monitor his health.
Difficulty Level:
Easy
Time Required:
30 minutes
Here’s How:
- Gather your grooming kit, containing hoofpick, curry comb, stiff- and soft-bristled brushes, comb and towel and prepare a safe grooming area.
- Put a halter on the horse and secure him in crossties or tether him in your grooming area using a quick release knot.
- Pick up each hoof in turn and, using a hoof pick, remove all dirt and debris from the hooves, checking for loose shoes and lost nails.
- With curry in one hand and a stiff-bristled brush in the other, begin behind the ears and brush the entire coat to remove dirt.
- After every few strokes with the brush, use the curry to remove loose hair and dirt from the brush.
- Switch a soft brush, begin behind the ears again and brush with the coat to remove any remaining dust.
- Be sure to brush the entire body and use hand while brushing to feel for lumps, bumps and cuts.
- Using a small, soft brush, brush the face.
- Spray de-tangler spray on mane and tail.
- Use brush, comb or fingers to untangle mane and tail.
- Use towel to give a final polish to the coat.
- Apply hoof conditioner as recommended by your farrier.
Tips:
- When brushing, use the curry to clean dirt and hair from the brush in between strokes.
- Get into a routine, covering every inch of the horse, to prevent areas being missed.
- For hygeine purposes, each horse should have a separate grooming kit.