| Grooming your horse can be a very relaxing and | | | | onto already brushed areas. I also use the dandy |
| pleasurable experience for both of you and is an | | | | brush to remove dirt from the tail, though would |
| essential part of your horse care. How much you | | | | not recommend this if your horses tail is very |
| groom is a matter of time and choice, from a | | | | fine. |
| quick clean up before or after riding to preparing | | | | Body Brush - a shorter bristled dense brush to |
| for the show ring. | | | | smooth the hair and distribute the natural oils in |
| It is a good way to check your horse over | | | | the horses coat. Brush in long sweeping strokes in |
| regularly for any knocks and scrapes and to | | | | the direction of the coat. |
| make sure that it is free of parasites and skin | | | | Finishing Brush - long softer bristled brush to give |
| infections like sweet-itch and ringworm, which can | | | | the final touch and a nice shine to the coat - used |
| become serious if not treated. | | | | instead of a cloth. |
| I am lucky enough to have a horse who loves | | | | Mane Comb or brush - plastic combs are kinder |
| being groomed and will happily stand for as long | | | | than metal ones but I have found a wooden |
| as I want and enjoy her session at the "beauty | | | | bristled mane and tail brush to be better than this. |
| parlour". | | | | I apply some conditioner onto the mane and tail |
| There are many different brushes and tools | | | | first then use the brush to tease out tangles and |
| available for grooming, made from a variety of | | | | dried in mud etc. I also use the brush in place of a |
| materials, both natural and synthetic. | | | | rubber curry comb on my horses coat, especially |
| We all have our favourite items, but the basics | | | | when she is shedding. If the tail is really dirty I |
| are the same | | | | rinse it out in a bucket of water first before |
| Dandy Brush - a stiff medium length bristled brush | | | | trying to brush it through. |
| to remove dirt and dust. Work with a flicking | | | | Hoofpick - to remove debris from the hooves. I |
| action to prevent pushing dirt further into the | | | | use a sturdy steel one but also have a very |
| coat. Work from the head down the neck, along | | | | handy folding one that I keep in my saddlebag for |
| the back and down the legs to avoid pushing dirt | | | | removing stones whilst we are out hacking. |