Every time you go to the barn, you fall in love with your horse all over again.
However, as much as you love to have your horse there with you, horse grooming is part of their daily needs to have met to live healthy and happy lives.
Grooming your horse consistently can help them get in the right mood to be ridden and help keep them clean without picking up unwanted parasites.
Do you know how to groom your horse? Continue reading this quick guide to learn all about caring for your horse in the best way possible.
Essential Grooming Tools
Grooming a horse requires not only a keen eye but also the right tools. For beginners, the basic tools for horse grooming include:
- stiff brush
- body brush
- comb
- hoof pick
- sheath-cleaning material
A stiff brush is used to remove dirt from the horse’s body and should be heavily swept when brushing. A body brush is best for nooks and crannies that need to be swept. A comb is a cleaner option for thick tails and manes and should be used to detangle knots and flyaways.
A hoof pick is used to remove stones and mud from the hooves. A sheath-cleaning material is a special cleanser and a sponge with material-specific instructions to properly clean the inside of the horse’s sheath.
Oiling & Cleaning the Hoofs
Start by brushing clumps of mud off the hoof. Then use a hoof pick to remove any excess dirt that may have collected around the nail beds and inside the clefts of the hoof wall. After thoroughly cleaning the entire hoof, it’s time to apply oil.
Use quality hoof oil, such as pine tar oil or cod liver oil, and massage it into the wall of the hoof and over the frog. Applying a hoof oil daily can help prevent cracking and dryness that can lead to pain and lameness. Finally, use a cloth to buff the hoof after applying the oil to give a high gloss finish and seal in the extra moisture.
Brushing & Cleaning the Mane & Tail
Start by using a large wide-toothed comb to brush out tangled hair and debris from the mane and tail. If their hair is long, take special care to remove debris that is closer to the scalp. Once done detangling, brush the mane and tail in the direction of the natural growth with a stiff bristle brush.
Use a mane and tail comb to separate the hairs to your desired thickness and a finishing horse brush to give the hair a smooth shine. Once finished, use a damp cloth or mane and tail spray to keep the hair healthy and moisturized.
Maintaining a regular Grooming Schedule
Regular grooming should include brushing and combing mane and tails, checking for lice or ticks, and cleaning the hooves. Beginners should be sure to begin slowly, especially when first introducing a horse to grooming, as they may become nervous. Grooming should take approximately 45 minutes every week, but beginners should take it slow so as not to overwhelm the horse.
Use This Guide to Horse Grooming for Beginners Today
Grooming your horse is a vital part of their health and wellbeing. With the help of this quick horse grooming guide, you will have a better understanding of how to take care of your horse properly.
Why not give it a try today? You never know how much better your horse could look and feel!
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