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what is the order of brushes when grooming a horse

by Dr. Tate Schmeler Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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What is the order of brushes when grooming a horse?

  • Step 1: Use a Lead Rope to Secure Your Horse.
  • Step 2: Use the Curry Comb to Loosen Excess Dirt and Mud.
  • Step 3: Use a Hard/stiff Brush to Remove Dirt and Mud.
  • Step 4: Use a Soft Brush to Remove Any Remaining Dust and to Groom Sensitive Areas.
  • Step 5: Use a Sponge or Washcloth to Clean Your Horse’s Face.

These instructions include the basic steps necessary to groom your horse and are meant to serve as a checklist for each time you groom your horse. You will need a lead rope, curry comb, hard (stiff) brush, soft brush, mane and tail brush, hoofpick, cloth/washcloth, and fly spray.

Full Answer

What brush do you start with horse?

curry combA curry comb is often a circular brush that has a hand strap. This type of brush has sets of teeth on it that will be used to lift and loosen dirt from the horse's coat. Because of this, it should be the first brush you use when you start to groom your horse.

How do you properly brush a horse?

4:1712:11How to Groom a Horse (Step-By-Step Guide) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut you're also gonna wanna brush in the direction of the hair to properly remove that dirt. So ifMoreBut you're also gonna wanna brush in the direction of the hair to properly remove that dirt. So if you look at a Tucker closely. You can see that the hair is lying. This way so I'm gonna sweep.

Should you brush a horse's tail?

In fact, don't brush it at all. Although it looks nice when it is brushed out, if you brush it every day, it will gradually get thinner and thinner. It takes years to re-grow each long strand of hair that is pulled out.

Can you groom a wet horse?

If your horse has come in from the field muddy and wet, then he will need to dry off before he can be groomed. Brushing a muddy, wet horse just brushes the mud deeper into the coat instead of out of it.

How often should you brush your horse?

Otherwise dead skin and hair builds up and causes discomfort and skin problems. So once a day the rugs should be removed and the horse given a good and thorough grooming starting with a stiff bristled brush (to remove dead skin and hair) and finishing with a softer brush to remove dust.

What do you use to brush a horses mane?

0:5412:13How To Properly Brush Your Horse's Mane - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can see her mane a mess. So first step get out any of the big knots. If there are any she doesn'MoreYou can see her mane a mess. So first step get out any of the big knots. If there are any she doesn't have any major knots but there's a lot of snarls a lot of little knots. So we start by using a

How do you brush a horse's tail?

1:052:22How to Groom a Horse's Tail - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStarting at the tips. Move the brush through the tail in an upward motion up to the dock of the tailMoreStarting at the tips. Move the brush through the tail in an upward motion up to the dock of the tail.

What does curry a horse mean?

The horse is rubbed or "curried" to help loosen dirt, hair, and other detritus, plus stimulate the skin to produce natural oils. The currycomb is usually used in a circular motion to work loose embedded material.

What is the purpose of a body brush?

And the job of the body brush is to again, distribute the oils of the coat which will produce a deep shine or glow to the coat. And it also helps to remove some dirt and loose hair. The bristles are typically some sort of natural hair. The bristles can be soft or firm, but they are seldom as stiff is a dandy brush.

What is the action of a dandy brush?

The action of the dandy brush is to capture the loose dirt and hair that has been brought to the surface with the curry comb, and you can brush or flick that excess dirt and hair away. The bristles can be natural (rice root bristles) or synthetic.

What is a curry comb?

A curry comb is a brush that every horse owner has seen, and probably uses. In fact the curry comb is the first brush I use when I’m grooming, and I continue using it through the entire grooming process. A curry comb can be made from metal, or hard rubber. I personally prefer the hard rubber style. And it helps to loosen up the dirt and dander of the horses coat while distributing the deep down natural oils of his skin, beneath the coat of hair.

What is the best tool to get a shiny coat on a horse?

A curry comb is one of the best tools to really get a glowing and shiny coat on your horse, even in the wintertime! The rubber is usually gentle enough to give a massage as well as distributing the oils of the coat, this is what gives you that shine.

How to store horse brushes?

After you wash them, rest them on their sides, or bristles for shorter brushes in the sun to dry. Then store them on their backs so you don’t cri mp or bend the bristles . This will keep them In great shape and ready to use on your horse.

What is a face brush?

A face brush is a super soft brush that is small and reserved for the horse’s face. If you are brushing your horses face, you want to use a very soft brush for this sensitive area. My horses LOVE to have their faces brushed with the super soft brush.

What is a finishing brush?

A finishing brush is just what it’s name implies, the finishing of your grooming. The bristles are super soft, like a face brush, and are typically made from natural bristles. The soft bristles help the natural oils to glide along the coat, and smooth everything out. The finishing brush also removes any traces of dust that may have accumulated after you have finished your brushing.

How often should you groom a horse?

Many people aim to groom their horse at least once per week, which is usually enough to keep them happy and healthy, or before each ride, which ensures that their horse is relaxed and comfortable before heading out. However, there is no precise answer to how often you need to groom, and you may get different answers depending on who you ask. How often you groom your horse may also affected by considerations like your own schedule and how your horse is stabled.

What do you need in a horse grooming kit?

You will need to make sure you have the right horse grooming kit to ensure your horse is well looked after. Each tool is designed for a specific purpose, so it’s important to know what they are so that you can use them correctly. The result will be a well-groomed horse that’s healthy, relaxed, and ready for a good riding session.

What is a stiff brush?

What is it? A stiff brush is a horse grooming brush that has long, stiff bristles in order to remove the dirt, hair, and other debris that has been brought up by the curry comb. These brushes are most commonly made with plastic bristles, though more expensive versions can have natural bristles, such as rice stems.

How to clean a horse's coat?

However, if you are going to enter them into a show, you’ll probably want to give them a thorough scrub and shampoo to ensure their coat is pristine. Before you get started, you will need to assemble a few items to make sure you can do a good job: 1 A few large sponges 2 A scrubbing mitt 3 An equine-friendly shampoo 4 An equine-friendly mane & tail conditioner 5 A sweat scraper 6 A few large towels 7 A hose 8 A large bucket

What is a curry comb?

What is it? A curry comb is a short-toothed horse grooming comb made with rubber or plastic that is used to rub or “curry” the horse to loosen hair, dirt, and other particles, as well as stimulating the skin for healthy blood flow and the production of natural oils. There are also metal curry combs used for tougher tasks and brush cleaning purposes.

How to use a soft brush on a horse?

How is it used? The soft brush is used with long, sweeping strokes to smooth the coat and bring natural oils to the surface. Usually, these brushes need to be rubbed against a metal curry comb regularly to remove dust, so it doesn’t find its way back into the horse’s coat.

How is a sponge used on horses?

How is it used? The sponge is dampened and then applied to the horse. Delicate areas will require a small sponger and gentle motions, while washing down bigger areas can be done with a large sponge and broader actions.

How to make a ponytail?

Pick his hooves. Brush his hair. Pick the pony's hooves. Use a dandy brush. Curry comb the pony's coat. Tie up the pony with a quick release knot. Tie up the pony with a quick release knot, pick the hooves, curry comb the pony's coat, use the dandy brush, then use the soft brush.

How to get rid of tangles in hay?

Pick out twigs and hay, and separate the tangles by hand, one section at a time. Use a hair brush, plastic comb or dandy brush to remove the tangles. Start at the bottom and work your way up. Try to avoid breaking or pulling the hair.

What is a dandy brush used for?

It is used on the coat after currying the horse to brush away the loosened dirt and hair. It is also used on the legs to removed dried on mud. Sensitive or thin-skinned horses may find the dandy brush to be too rough and may need a softer bristle.

What is a soft brush?

The Soft Brush removes dirt and dust from the coat. It is usually used last on the coat to brush away the dirt and hair that was loosened with the curry comb and hard brush.

How to clean a horse's coat?

Curry comb the coat in a circular motion to break up mud and loosen dirt from the surface of the skin. Start at the top of the neck and work your way down the body. Do not use the curry comb on the head or lower legs. Metal curry combs are on used on horses. They are for cleaning other brushes.

How to groom a pony?

The Order of Grooming. 1. Tie up your pony with a quick release knot and a breakaway halter. > Learn how to tie a pony. 2. Pick Hooves. Pick out the hooves and check each shoe to make sure they are on tight. Brush dirt and mud off the exterior of the hooves. 3.

What is a hoof pick?

A Hoof Pick is used to pick dirt and rocks from the hooves. It frequently has a small, course brush attached that can help remove dirt and mud from the hoof.

What is a dandy brush?

Dandy brushes are hard bristled and are often used after going through your horse with the curry comb as they knock off the dried dirt, hair and debris that have been loosened. The materials of a hard brush is usually either a synthetic plastic bristle or natural fibers such as bassine or palmyra.

Why use a natural brush for horses?

However, we recommend using a natural bristle brush for several reasons. The synthetic bristles can cause friction and static between your horse’s coat which makes the dust and dandruff particles gravitate back towards their body.

What is a curry comb?

Curry combs are an essential must-have item for any horse grooming kit as they help to loosen up dead hair and dirt on your horse so their coat can look clean and neat. The materials used in a curry comb is almost always either rubber or plastic and they can very in price to very cheap (a couple of dollars) to upwards of nearly 20 dollars.

What to look for when buying a grooming brush?

When shopping for grooming tools such as grooming brushes there are several factors to look into such as what exactly the objective of the tool is in relation to your horse, the material being used, the price point and personal preferences such as comfort as your perform the grooming task. If you are someone that has never contemplated on these issues before purchasing a brush, not to worry. We will tell you all you need to know so you can make an informed decision and put together the best grooming kit possible for your horse.

How to know if a curry comb is good?

It’s best to shop for a curry comb in person where you could take a close look at the teeth and feel the texture of them, though you could also shop online if there are high quality close up images of the comb. If the curry comb is too soft, it won’t properly perform the dirt-busting, and skin-massaging that it’s meant to do. On the other hand, teeth that feel very hard can be uncomfortable for the horse and may even puncture or breakthrough the skin which can open up the opportunity for your horse to get an infection.

Why is my horse's curry comb so soft?

If the curry comb is too soft, it won’t properly perform the dirt-busting, and skin-massaging that it ’s meant to do. On the other hand, teeth that feel very hard can be uncomfortable for the horse and may even puncture or breakthrough the skin which can open up the opportunity for your horse to get an infection.

How long are soft brush bristles?

The bristles of these brushes are exceptionally long, reaching about a half-inch longer than a standard soft brush. Their names are very telling as you use them to quite literally flick dirt from your horse in small strokes. When shopping for a soft brush, really get a feel for it by simulating grooming.

Why is grooming important for horses?

Grooming is very beneficial for horses, not only because it cleans their coat and it adds beauty to their appearance, but also because can promote healthy emotional bonding and trust between the horse and the person.

Why do horses need to be groomed?

Grooming a horse encourages healthy blood circulation and helps to release natural oils into the coat that help protect him from natural elements such as wind and rain. Grooming stable horses should be done on a regular basis to keep a horse's coat and skin healthy.

What is a rubber curry comb?

Rubber curry combs are made to loosen up dirt, mud, and bits of things caught in your horse's coat. Currying should always be performed before brushing for the best results. Use the curry in vigorous, small circular motions over the horse's muscles, and be extremely careful on bony areas like the face, spine, and legs.

Why do you pick out your horse's feet?

By picking out your horse's feet, you can help prevent lameness by removing stones or foreign objects like a nail or screw that could pierce the frog or cause bruising. Picking the hooves out before riding is essential, especially if your horse is wearing shoes.

What does it mean when a horse has a scab?

If you notice scabs or fly bites while grooming, inspect your horse carefully. Small scabs could be ticks, lice, or allergies. If you have any concerns, contact your veterinarian.

How to pick up a horse's hoof?

If she doesn't lift her foot, lean against her shoulder, squeeze her leg, and use your other hand to quickly grab your horse's hoof. Using a hoof pick, start at the heel of the foot and pick forward to the toe, carefully removing all rocks, dirt and debris. Make sure to clean the grooves on either side of the frog, the V-shaped part of the hoof. You should neither pick the horse's frog or dig deeply into the grooves. If the frog is unhealthy, that is, it is very black, squishy, soft and foul-smelling, be very careful with the hoof pick and have your farrier or veterinarian advise you.

What to do if a horse accidentally steps on your foot?

Wear the proper shoes. Your horse may accidentally step on your foot, and if you are barefoot or wearing sneakers or sandals, your foot will get crushed (horses generally weigh over 1,000 pounds). Wear sturdy boots that will protect your toes. ...

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