Grooming Essentials

A solid grooming routine is essential for your horse, not only as a way to strengthen your relationship with them, but also for promoting healthy hooves, skin, and coat. On top of that, the products you use for grooming can make or break your routine. Choosing the right grooming products for your horse’s specific needs is of the utmost importance, especially for sensitive horses. Some products may not work for all horses depending on their individual needs, so it is important to experiment to find what your horse prefers. That being said, here are all the basic grooming products that should be in every barn:

Hoof Pick

A hoof pick is a small, handled tool with a hooked metal end designed to remove debris from hooves. Cleaning out a horse’s hooves before and after every ride, training session, or turnout ensures they are not packed with dirt or have rocks or other harmful objects. Making sure your horse has clean hooves can reduce their risk of injury and infection including abscesses and thrush. Most hoof picks function essentially the same, but some have a small brush in addition to a hook which can be useful for removing loose dust and dirt, as well as for cleaning off the outside of the hoof wall. 

Curry Comb

Curry combs come in a wide variety of styles, including, plastic, rubber, metal, gloves, and more. Their purpose is to lift dirt and loose hair off of the skin and bring it to the surface of the coat. They have teeth that come in many different shapes and sizes to accommodate each horse’s unique preferences. You may need to experiment with different types of curry combs to find which one your horse likes best.

Stiff and Medium Body Brushes

A stiff body brush works in quick, short motions to flick dirt off the coat. Sometimes called a dandy brush, they have stiff, natural or synthetic bristles. Some horses might be too sensitive for stiff brushes, in which case you might opt for a medium brush which is slightly softer but still has enough rigidity to flick away dirt. Alternatively, use a horse vacuum such as an Electro-Groom Vacuum after curry combing.

Soft Brush

Use a soft brush last on the body to smooth the coat and add shine by removing any remaining dust. Soft brushes, as their name implies, are softer and more gentle than stiff or medium brushes, making them ideal for legs and faces as well.

Mane and Tail Brush/Comb

Mane and tail brushes and combs are very similar to those meant for people. Ideally you should only brush your horse’s mane and tail with conditioner to prevent breakage and thinning. When you do, you should wet the mane and tail with a spray bottle or hose or work in a conditioner or grooming oil like Shapley’s M-T-G. For both the mane and tail, start at the ends and work your way up to avoid tightening or breaking any tangles.

Hoof Oil

A quality hoof oil serves many purposes. Using it in conjunction with a hoof hardener prevents cracks or chips in the hoof wall. It also conditions and moisturizes the hooves and coronet bands to combat brittle hooves and promote healthy new growth. Finally, it creates a waterproof barrier. This is especially important for horses who are regularly bathed as it prevents the hooves from absorbing water and becoming soft and spongey.