About Horse Grooming

Keeping your horse clean has benefits far beyond the cosmetic. For working horses, brushing loosens dirt, oil and sweat to keep their pores clean. A clean horse experiences fewer sore spots from chafing tack and rugs. It also allows the horse owner to go over every inch of the horse's body to check for wounds or swelling.

  1. Equipment

    • To give your horse the full spa treatment, you'll need the right equipment. Your grooming box should contain a dandy brush for removing dirt and sweat from longer haired horses, a body brush for all over work, a metal curry comb for cleaning the body brush (never use a metal curry on the horse), a rubber curry comb to loosen deep, dried sweat and grime from his coat, a hoof pick to dislodge mud from his feet, sponges (one for the face and one for the dock) and a water brush.

    Quartering

    • Quartering is a quick grooming routine you would perform before and after a ride. First pick out any manure, dirt or rocks that may be caught in his hooves. Then, working your way from front to back and top to bottom, brush his coat with the body brush or dandy brush. Brush his mane and tail and remove any shavings or straw that may be caught in his hair.

    Full Grooming: Brushing

    • Using a rubber or plastic curry comb, gently massage the horse's coat starting with his neck and working your way to his hind quarters. Using a circular motion, loosen dried sweat and dust and remove any dried mud in his hair. If he is very dirty, it helps to keep a dandy or body brush in the other hand to whisk away the dust as the curry loosens it. Avoid curry combing bony areas like cannon bones and fetlocks. After a good curry combing, go neck to hindquarters again with the body brush.

    Full Grooming: The Head

    • Slowly and gently use the body brush on the horse's face, under his jaw and around his ears. Using a damp sponge that's reserved just for his face, wipe off his eyes with clean water. Rinse the sponge and clean his mouth, muzzle and nostrils.

    Full Grooming: The Dock

    • Before attempting to clean the dock, stand to the side of the horse. Using a damp sponge reserved just for the dock, lift his tail and clean the skin under his tail. Then clean and sponge the perineum. You may need an extra sponge, just make sure you don't accidentally use your face and head sponge.

    Full Grooming: Mane, Hooves and Shine

    • To prevent flyaway hairs on the mane, use a damp water brush to brush the mane downward. For particularly unruly manes, wet towels can be placed over the horse's neck for a few minutes to try to get the mane to lay down. Hooves should be picked out and, if desired, oiled to keep them from cracking. Once the horse is in top form, spray on a little shine spray, and he'll look like he's never taken a roll in the grass or sand in his life.

    Tidying Up

    • Use the metal curry comb on the body and dandy brushes to clean out any dirt.