Grooming Kits for Horses

Part of maintaining or taking care of a horse is grooming. Keeping a horse clean will make the animal more healthy, as well as make its coat shining. To groom a horse properly, you will use different brushes and combs. Each piece of a grooming kit is used for a different purpose.

  1. Hoof Pick

    • A hoof pick is used to clean the hooves of the horse. This is an essential piece of grooming equipment. Dirt and debris accumulate in the hooves of a horse, especially in horses that have shoes. The pick has a handle with a hook on the other end. Some hoof picks come with a stiff brush on the back of the pick so you can brush away any loose debris that the pick did not get off.

    Body Brush

    • A body brush is shaped like an egg with a strap located on the back of the brush. This tool is primarily used on a horse's mane and tail. A horse will get its mane and tail hair tangled with debris. The soft bristles prevent you from tearing out the hair or irritating areas of the horse that can be more sensitive. The brush also can be used to brush away mud that has accumulated on the face of the animal.

    Dandy Brush

    • The dandy brush has stiffer bristles that can be used to remove mud and dirt that has accumulated on the body and legs. This brush must not be used on the mane, tail or around the face of the horse because the bristles can pull the hair out. It will also irritate the face of the horse.

    Curry Comb

    • A curry comb comes in metal and plastic construction. The metal curry comb must never be used to brush the body of a horse. Its purpose is to clean the other brushes. The plastic or rubber curry comb can be used to brush away dirt, mud or loose hair that accumulates on the horse. Both types of curry comes have an oval or egg shape.

    Water Brush and Scraper

    • A water brush has stiffer bristles than the body brush, but softer bristles than the dandy brush. The brush is used when you wash the horse. You can scrub the body with soap and water without harming the skin of the horse. Some grooming kits come with a sweat scraper that you use to wipe away the sweat on the horse's body. This should be done before washing the horse.

    Miscellaneous

    • Two miscellaneous tools that can come with a grooming kit is the sponge and stable rubber. The sponge is used to clean the eye, nostrils, mouth and other sensitive areas of the horse. The stable rubber is similar to linen cloth and can be dampened to polish the coat of the horse.