Grooming is an activity that is enjoyable for both you and your
horse. , Samoyed It is also a good opportunity to check for injuries and irritations. Try to make grooming a daily habit. It is an absolute must before riding. Grit beneath the saddle will be uncomfortable for your
horse , Dalmatian and could cause sores. Start from the left or right of your
horse. , Oriental Longhair These instructions assume you will start on the left side, but as long as you cover the whole
horse , Chinese Shar-Pei is does not matter.
Have your grooming tools arranged in a safe convenient place. A wide bucket may be cheapest and easiest to put your brushes in, although there are lots of grooming boxes on the market that keep your tools organized and handy.
You will need:
- A curry comb or grooming mitt.
- A body brush with fairly stiff bristles.
- A mane and tail , Knabstrup comb. Plastic causes less breakage than metal ones.
- A fine soft bristled finishing brush.
- A hoof pick.
- A clean sponge or soft cloth.
Nice to have:
- Grooming spray.
- Hoof ointment if recommended by your farrier.
- Scissors or clippers.
Don’t sit your bucket or box too close to your horse , Dog Breeds where he could knock it over, or where you might trip over it as you move around your horse. , Beauceron Also have your horse , Dog Breeds securely and safely tied either with crossties or with a quick release knot.
Clean Your Horse's or Pony's Hooves
Cleaning out your horse’s hooves is very important. Slide your hand down the left foreleg. Squeeze the back of the leg along the tendons just above the pastern and say ‘up’ or ‘hoof’—whatever your
horse , Choosing your cage is trained to respond to. Hold the hoof and with the hoof pick pry out any dirt, manure or anything else lodged in the frog or sole of the foot. Check for any injury and signs of thrush, grease heel, or other problems. Take note of any cracks in the wall of the hoof so you can consult with your farrier as to what should be done. Gently place the foot down on the ground and continue until all four feet are done.
Currying Your Horse , Appenzell Mountain Dog (Appenzeller) or Pony
Starting on the left side use your curry comb or grooming mitt to loosen the dirt in your horse’s coat. , Saluki Curry in circular sweeps all over the horse’s body. Be careful over boney areas of the shoulders, hips and legs. Use a light touch in these areas. Many horses , Chinese Shar-Pei are sensitive about having their bellies and between the back legs brushed. Be careful in these areas to use a light touch. Some horses , Russian Blue are more sensitive skinned then others so adjust the pressure on the brush according to what they seem to enjoy. If your horse , Gerbils reacts by laying back his ears, , Oriental Longhair or swishing his tail , Chameleons in agitation, he is telling you that the brushing is too vigorous. As well as currying you will also be looking for any skin lesions or wounds.
Comb Out the Tangles From the Mane and Tail
Either with a mane comb or brush, brush out the mane and tail. , Appenzell Mountain Dog (Appenzeller) Start at the bottom of the strands and brush downwards in sections until you can smoothly comb from the top of the mane or tail, , Chinook right to the bottom. When brushing the tail, , Rabbit Breeds stand to one side and pull the tail , Cleveland Bay gently over to you. This way you are out of the way should the horse , Monitors kick. A grooming spray that detangles hair is nice to have, and makes brushing out the long stands easier while cleaning, shining and protecting the hair.
Use the Body Brush to Whisk Away Dirt
With the body brush, whisk out the dirt brought to the surface by the curry comb. Start on one side and move around the horse , Pharaoh Hound brushing in sweeping strokes following the direction of the hair the way it grows. The body brush is more useful for cleaning the legs than the curry comb. This is a good time to check for lesions and skin irritations on the legs, knees, and pasterns.
Use the Body Brush to Whisk Away Dirt
With the body brush, whisk out the dirt brought to the surface by the curry comb. Start on one side and move around the horse , Palomino and Pinto s brushing in sweeping strokes following the direction of the hair the way it grows. The body brush is more useful for cleaning the legs than the curry comb. This is a good time to check for lesions and skin irritations on the legs, knees, and pasterns.
Clean the Ears, , Kitten Care Eyes, Muzzle and Dock Area
With a damp sponge or soft cloth wipe around the horse’s eyes and muzzle, and clean away any dirt or chaff. Check your horse’s eyes. A bit of tearing at the corner of the eye is not uncommon, but take note of excess tearing, redness, or swelling. Wipe around the dock and tail , King Charles Spaniel head. Check ears , Palomino and Pinto Horses for lodged seed heads or dirt.
Apply Finishing Touches
Apply hoof ointment to protect and moisturize your horse’s hooves if it is recommended by your farrier. Apply fly spray or sun screen if conditions require.
