Basic Grooming

  Grooming is an important daily routine for the captive horse.  Grooming keeps the coat healthy, shiny, and clean.  Many different brushes are used in the grooming routine, for different purposes.  (these brushes shown are only the basic necessities)

  The Rubber Curry Comb (pictured below) is used in circular motions towards the rump, (on both sides!!) and it is used to loosen up the dirt from the coat, and to massage the horse.  The Curry, is only used on bulky, non-sensetive parts of the horse.  So, the shoulder, but not on the legs, the sides, but not on the belly, but you may use it on their thighs and butt.  This brush is used first.  You can use the brush along their back, but of your horses spine sticks out, it can irritate them.

The Metal Curry Comb, is used to remove dirt from soft brushes (like the Dandy or the Body brush).

  The Dandy brush is the next brush to use, and you use it in short, quick flicks to "flick off" the dirt loosened up by the Rubber Curry.  You use this brush everywhere on the horse except their belly, under the neck/chest, and face.  When using this brush you want to go in with the direction of the hair.  So when going down the legs for example, go DOWN the legs, not across them.  (oh, and don't forget that the horse is 3D, so do all "sides" of the legs too.

  The next brush, is the body brush.  It is similar to the Dandy, but has short, soft bristles, and is used to smooth out the coat in long gentle lines.  This can be used anywhere on the horse, but only groom their faces if you are an experienced groomer.  (some horses don't like things on their faces.)  If you are in a hurry, the Body Brush can be skipped.

  Last but not least, the hoof pick!  Now the hoof pick is difficult, and some times dangerous to use, do to the fact that you have to pick up an 2000lb horse hoof, and be careful not to hurt the horses frog.  (see image of hoof below)  

                                       It's the triangle at top

  The frog is a very sensitive area due to the fact that a lot of nerve endings and blood run behind that layer of skin.  The rest is made out of the same stuff as our nails!  The hoof pick is a grooming tool that should NEVER be skipped!  It is used to dig out manure, dirt, grass, and or rocks in a horses hooves.  First pick up the hoof.  (run your inner hand down the inside of the horses leg, and when you get to the hoof, tug (gently) on the bulbous bone above it (the fetlock joint) until the horse lifts its foot.  Then the Pick is used in a down wards motion.  (away from the frog on either side to their "toe")  If a unsuitable amount of dirt is on the frog, use the flat side of the pick  (or the brush) to gently rub it away.  

For more details on grooming, I will post a video guide soon.  Always start a new brush on the horses left side, and if you are new to it, have some one watch and coach you.  Always use a brush carefully, before and after riding.  This ensures that your horse won't get saddle sores.  If rubbing sweat away from girth area, start with a hand. (not all horses like being touched there)  This Post is just basic grooming advice.  More will be posted later.  Enjoy!  :)