Grooming is essential for all horses so it is important that it is done correctly. Grooming is a great bonding exercise for you and your horse as it gives the horse an opportunity to interact with you without riding or training. Grooming also improves circulation and makes the horse’s coat soft and shiny.
Any time you are around a horse you are training him. Horses read body language constantly and learn new things though pressure and release. While you are grooming remember to watch the horse’s body language. Does he put his ears back when you brush him in a certain spot? You can tell what spots are sensitive and which he enjoys having groomed just by watching. Pay attention to the horse when he leans or takes a step into your space and move him out if it promptly. Many people forget that training still continues while grooming.
Body
When you first begin to groom your horse you should begin at either his neck or shoulder. These areas are less sensitive than his head, and it is a safe position for you as well if the horse were to strike or spook. Usually, you would start a grooming session by using a curry comb first. The curry comb is used in a circular motion to bring up all of the dirt and loose hair from your horse’s coat. Work your way back with the curry comb, starting at the neck and doing the whole body until your reach his tail and down his legs to his knees. Have the horse move his hindquarters over when you switch sides by pressing with your hand on his hip or flank and releasing when he takes a step. Continue to use the curry comb in the same way on the other side.
Once you have finished currying, begin using a hard or medium bristle brush to remove all of the dirt and hair you brought up with the curry comb. Brush in the same areas of the horse as you did with the curry comb. When your horse’s body is mostly clean it is time to use the soft bristle brush. The soft bristle brush makes the horse’s coat shine and is soothing to the horse. You can use this brush on every part of the horse and is soft enough to use on the sensitive parts such as the lower legs and face.
Head
The head of the horse is one of the most sensitive parts of his body. Because of this, we need to be careful when grooming it that we are gentle. Begin grooming your horse’s head with the soft bristle brush to get off all of the dirt and hair. Once he has been brushed, you can use a damp towel or sponge to clean the eyes, mouth, and nose. If the horse tosses his head or moves it away keep the brush on his face the best you can until he brings his head back towards you or lowers it. When he does this remove the brush or towel. Do this every time he avoids you and soon he won’t move his head around at all.
Hooves
The horse’s feet should be cleaned as often as possible. Picking out the feet cleans out all the rocks and mud suck in the hooves, as well as checking to see if he has any injuries. To ask your horse to pick up his foot stand to the side of the horse facing the tail, slide your hand down his leg, and gently squeeze the chestnut on the inside of the leg. Increasingly add pressure until your horse lifts his foot. When he picks it up grasp his leg at the cornet band. By holding the leg at this point you support both the pastern and the hoof, instead of letting the hoof hang, as this can be uncomfortable for the horse.
Use a hoof pick to remove dirt and rocks from the crevices of the hoof around the frog. It is in this area that most rocks get suck, and can cause discomfort or even lameness if left in the hoof for a long period of time. To clean out a hoof use the hoof pick facing downward and gently start picking out the dirt from heel to toe. Continue to do all four feet in this manner.
Mane and Tail
A wide toothed comb or brush is used to untangle and remove hay and dirt from the mane. It is easier to organize the mane into small sections, then brush one section at a time to prevent pulling out a lot of hair. Use a detangling product on long and thick manes to help the brush get through the hair without breaking it or pulling it out. Many riders choose to cut their horse’s mane short. Some disciplines require manes to be cut or thinned for shows so it can be braided or banded. Short manes are also easier to take care of and won’t get in the way when riding.
Tail care is similar to that of the mane. The tail should be brushed regularly to get out tangles and debris. Use a detangler and separate the strands into sections to make brushing easier and prevent breakage. Many people like to put their horse’s tails in tail bags or braid them. This keeps the hair healthy and allows to grow longer. It is common to see many performance and show horse’s tails banged, which means the tail is cut straight across at the bottom, usually cut evenly with the fetlocks. Having the tail trimmed like this allows the tail to look long and full without it being so long that the horse steps on it during competition.