Jennifer Whittle, eXtension HorseQuest Intern
We all spend countless hours getting our horses ready for the show ring. But how much effort do we really spend grooming our horse each day? Grooming is an important task that should be performed along with other daily tasks. Grooming keeps the horse’s skin healthy and provides a way for you to bond with your horse.
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Safety First
But before you even begin to groom your horse, you must understand how to safely handle your horse. When grooming, you have several options. You may tie your horse or you can have another handler hold the horse. To review other safe handling practices, check out the learning lessons and the instructional videos Ground Handling Horses Safely and Horse Owner Survival.
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Safely Working Around Horses
Grooming Tools
- Curry Comb – used to remove dirt, mud, old hair and debris from your horse.
- Dandy Brush– used to remove dirt and hair that was loosened by the curry comb.
- Body Brush – used to remove dust and also brings out the natural oils in the horse’s hair coat. This can also be used on the horse’s face.
- Mane and Tail Comb – used to detangle the horse’s mane and tail.
- Hoof Pick - used to remove dirt, rocks and debris from the horse’s hooves.
To watch a video clip on grooming your horse, check out the instructional video called Grooming for Success.
Take a Learning Lesson
For more information about grooming and handling your horse, check out the learning lesson, Horse Owner Survival.
