Horses have an elegant coat, which requires meticulous grooming. Moreover, grooming your horse is an excellent opportunity to strengthen your bond with them. Horses understand tactile communication while grooming, which serves as a foundation for a loving relationship with them.
In this blog, we have listed ten expert tips that you must read if you are caring for an equestrian companion.
- Choose the right horse grooming tools.
If you have made up your mind to care for your horse’s coat effectively, begin by preparing the perfect grooming kit for your horse. It must have tools like a curry comb, dandy brush, soft brush, mane brush, clippers, shedding blade, washcloth, rags, hoof picks, rubber gloves, etc.
- Learn what makes your horse uncomfortable.
Knowing about your horse’s ticklish spots and learning about what triggers them will help you groom your horse smoothly. Be extra gentle around your horse’s ticklish areas, and take extra care while using the tools or movements that stress your horse.
- Start by wiping off the dust on your horse’s coat.
Remove the dust, dirt, debris, and sweat present on your horse’s coat. You can use a wiping cloth for this. Start at the neck and work your way gradually towards the body and tails. Remember to be gentle while wiping the coat.
- Curry your horse every day.
Massage your horse’s coat with a curry comb for a few minutes daily. Currying your horse not only helps clean the coat, but also improves the blood circulation beneath the skin. It also increases the production of natural oils and promotes a lustrous coat.
- Brush your horse correctly.
After currying the horse, use a dandy brush or hard brush that may have settled back on the coat. Use quick, sweeping strokes in the direction of the hair growth to smooth down the hair, and ensure that your horse is nice and comfortable.
- Use the right horse shampoo and detanglers.
Never use human shampoo or soap to bathe your horse. Opt for an effective shampoo specifically formulated for horses, such as Equinade Showsilk Shampoo or Black Caviar Herbal Shampoo, followed by a horse conditioner like Vetsense Equigloss 5-in-1 Conditioner Spray.
- Pay special attention to your horse’s hoofs.
Horse hoof care is as important as skin and coat care. Cleaning and picking out the hooves help maintain hoof health. Picking out hooves involves picking out mud, manure, and rocks, from the sole of the hoof.
- Wipe inside your horse’s ears.
Use a soft, slightly damp cloth to wipe your horse’s ears. You can use witch hazel or warm water, but not any alcohol-based products that may cause irritation, to gently wipe out any dirt or grime, ensuring you do not push the gunk into the ear further.
- Prevent chaffing with the right products.
Chaffing or scuff marks are areas where the hair appears to be rubbed, frayed, worn, or damaged, usually due to friction or pressure from blankets or equipment. To prevent chaffing in horses, regularly check for any ill-fitting equipment that may create friction and use anti-chaffing creams.
- Gently stroke your horse’s coat for a few minutes.
Whenever you groom your horse, take some time out to caress their coat lovingly for a few minutes. This will help develop a real sense of trust with your horse as they become more comfortable in your presence. Having a conversation with your horse while massaging their coat will also help in riding, as your horse will gradually be more responsive to your instructions.
