Horse grooming (currying, brushing, combing, cleaning hoof)
Why groom horses?
Horse grooming may not be a fun thing to do, Especially if you have to do it regularly and as a routine, you might ask your self do I have to? Is it necessary?
Let me be honest I enjoy grooming our horses once in a while when I have time but doing it often is not desirable for me at least. I know it's the same for our stableman too. So I'm going to tell you even if you don't enjoy it, it's important to groom your horse, you should make it a routine for yourself or your stableman if you have one. But why?
Horse Health
If you don't groom your horse your horse will likely get sick. They might get skin disease, hoof problems, or hair problems because of dirt on their body. It also depends on the environment in which you keep your horses. For example in a wet environment, it's more likely that your horse's hoof get filled with mud causing hoof problems.
Better relationship with the horse
Your relationship with the horse will be much different if you groom them usually. It especially shows its effect when you bring a new horse, If you want to create a bond with the horse groom it daily. They enjoy grooming and notice that the joy comes because of you.
Knowing if there is any problem
Grooming the horse will also help you to notice if there is any problem with the horse. It's more likely to find that if its feet hurt, is there any swelling, or new bruises or scars on its body.
It's also because of this that doing a short groom before riding a horse is good, So you won't ride the horse and find that there is any problem in the middle of a ride or after which might make the problem more serious. Also, you will get to know the horse's mood today. Yes, horses have different moods too.
Horse beauty
Seeing your horse dirty feels bad. Especially grey color horses show dirt on themselves more. Grooming the horse will make them beautiful and neat.
When and how often to groom horses?
From my experience grooming every two days is great and I suggest doing it at least every five days or weekly. Doing a fast groom before the ride as I said before is good too.
As more you groom your horse the time it'll take reduces because there won't be much dirt on the baby or dirt in the hoof.
How to groom horses?
Now that you want to groom your horse I'm going to show you how to do it.
Grooming kit
First, you have to prepare a grooming kit. These are the typical kits I use some have more and some less I will let you know which I think are necessary.
Grooming kit list:
- Body brush
- Soft curry comb
- Hard curry comb
- Hair comb
- Hoof cleaner
- Towel
From these kits, you may reduce one of the curry combs and towel, the others are necessary.
If you have multiple horses I suggest getting separate kits for each of them or at least separate all except the hoof cleaner. If one of your horses gets skin disease using the same kit for all will transmit the disease to others.
Horse grooming step by step
Below are the steps I will go through. Also, there is a video after which you can watch and see how you should go with each step in practice.
- Currying
- Brushing
- Combing
- Cleaning hoof
Horse grooming video
Currying
I use the soft curry comb on horse face and the hard curry comb on the body. You can use the soft curry comb on the horse body but don't use the hard one on the horse face, If you don't have a soft curry comb use the towel.
When curry combing the body your hand direction should be circular also watch out not to push hard and hurt the horse. Go slowly on the bony places. Curry every part of the horse.
Brushing
After currying brush the horse so the remaining dirt and extra hairs get cleaned up from the horse. Brush the horse in the natural direction of the horse hair growth.
After brushing the horse's face use the towel to clean the horse's nose or around the eyes.
Combing
After the two steps before, take your horse's comb and start combing the horse's mane and tail. Try to detangle the mane and the hair so the comb won't get stuck in any part and goes smoothly when you comb and go through.
Cleaning hoof
Cleaning the horse hoof is one of the important steps. I suggest you check the horse hoof daily and before/after any ride. You should not let dirt get stuck in the horse hoof for a long time and also check if there is any stone or other thing stuck in the hoof.
Even when you are in the middle of a ride there is a chance stone will get stuck in the hoof which if you don't notice it soon there is a chance of getting into a problem (e.g. damage to horse joints). I've experienced this couple of times and I've come down and removed the stone. If you are riding with company check each other horses hoof every now and then. If you are riding alone pay attention to the horse for abnormal walking or limping.