GROOMING

They give us their all. The least we can do is give them a good grooming at the start and at the end of a workout. Here are the basics.

BY JENN WEBSTER

Grooming is an important aspect of horse ownership and care. Time spent grooming and brushing your equine increases your bond with the animal but not only that, it offers many practical benefits for keeping him healthy.

Since soundness should always be top of mind, grooming is important because it requires you to put your hands all over your horse’s body and inspect the health of his coat, legs, mane bed, hooves, etc. It gives you the opportunity to feel for lumps or bumps and a chance to see if your horse has any skin fungi, wounds or lacerations, harmful parasites, diseases, or injuries of the hoof. These are the kinds of ailments you cannot see from a distance in the pasture, but have a profound effect on their well-being.

Additionally, well cared for, shiny horses have an edge when it comes to competition or a potential sale, as it improves their appearance and public image and demonstrates the level of care you provide for them. As much as horses give us when it comes to the time we spend on their backs, the least we can do is give them a good grooming before and after a workout.

HOOVES

All grooming sessions should begin with picking out all four hooves. Using a hoof pick, pick/scrape/brush out the “V” of the horse’s hoof, better known as the “frog.” Remove any dirt, mud, or rocks that are lodged there and clean the sole of the horse’s foot as best you can. Check for any abnormalities such as thrush, cracks in the hoof, potential sole bruises, or punctures and any scabbylike abrasions on the back of the heel, pastern, or leg. If you find anything unusual, you may want to consult with your farrier or veterinarian. Continue to pick each of the hooves until they are all cleaned out.

DEAL WITH THE SHED

The time of year often dictates which grooming tools you might wish to use first. For instance, in the spring (as horses are shedding their winter coats), a shedding blade may be the best to start. Gently – but effectively – move with the direction of hair growth in the horse’s coat and dislodge any hair that is ready to come out. Don’t push too hard, as some of the shedding blades available for grooming horses can actually lacerate the skin if used too forcefully. As the shedding blade fills with hair, you’ll need to remove it to continue.

CURRY

A curry comb or grooming mitt loosens the dirt in your horse’s coat. Move in a circular motion starting at the neck, moving across his shoulder, girth area, back, legs, and hind end. This part of grooming can be quite enjoyable for horses, when done properly. When currying, keep an eye out for any skin abrasions or wounds.

BRUSH

Once dirt is brought to the surface of the horse’s coat, it’s time to brush it away. Body brushes are long-bristled, stiff brushes that literally “flick” the dirt off the horse’s back, with the right kind of wrist action. Again, move with the direction of the horse’s hair growth and across his body.

A softer bristled brush (also known as a “finishing brush”) is ideal for the horse’s face, behind the ears, and across the pasterns. Gently brushing the back of the horse’s heel bulbs each day is a great way to prevent scratches or “greasy heel.” A soft brush also brings a bit of a shine to the horse’s overall coat.

DETAILING

Every discipline has distinct grooming requirements and preferences. Short manes, long manes, or roached manes for instance, all serve a purpose to their respective sports. Either way, regular, close inspection of a horse’s mane bed helps to protect the animal from lice or dandruff.

If the horse has a long, flowing mane, a detangler spray may be necessary and makes brushing out long strands easier. When brushing the tail, always ensure you stand to one side to protect yourself from getting kicked, in the event the horse is a nervous type.

Cleaning of the ears, eyes, muzzle, and dock is always an important health consideration and grooming offers the perfect opportunity to look these parts over. Should anything concern you or seem abnormal in these areas, it’s time to call your vet. Show grooming versus everyday grooming also requires different priorities. The way you groom, clip, or shine the ears, eyes, and muzzle may vary with the discipline. Remember also that if dirty gear (girths, cinches, or saddle pads) is shared from one horse to another, it can spread harmful skin diseases or fungi. Wash your gear frequently, let it hang in the sun to dry, and clean cinches or girths after every use.