How to Groom Your Horse By Susanne Malloy At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

There are two major components to grooming a horse and they are brushing the coat and cleaning the hooves. There is no right or wrong way to groom your horse, but it is a good idea to get into a routine and always do the process the same way, either feet or grooming first, so the horse can anticipate what you are going to do next.

Start with your horse secured in crossties that are attached to the halter. This ensures that the horse cannot move suddenly one way or the other, plus it frees up both of your hands to work with the grooming. If you are trying to both groom and hold the horse, you are likely going to find this much more difficult and there is a greater chance of injury. With the horse secured, start either on the grooming or on the hooves, whichever you prefer.

Many owners prefer to start by cleaning the hooves, then the horse can relax and enjoy the rest of the routine. To correctly position yourself, stand next to the horses left front shoulder, just to the front of the body. Run your hand, the hand you don't normally hold the pick in, down the front of the leg until you reach the hoof. Most horses that have had their feet cleaned will pick up their foot, but if they don't gently press your shoulder and upper body against the outside of the shoulder, which will slightly move the horse off balance and he or she will shift weight to the other front foot. When this happens pick the left foot up, bending the leg as it would naturally bend back towards the center of the horse's body. Hold the hoof firmly in your hand and use the pick to remove all the debris. Be very careful not to dig into the frog, the soft, triangular shaped center part of the hoof as this can be very sensitive. Repeat this process with the other feet until completed. Be sure to give a treat to the horse between feet to let him know he is doing a great job.

When grooming you can either start with the mane and tail or end with them, whichever suits you and your grooming style best. If the horse is dirty, muddy or has a winter coat, start with the curry comb and groom the entire body using gentle, circular shaped motions that follow the direction of hair growth. Work from the neck to the chest, over the shoulders, down the back along the sides and down the legs. Remember the curry comb is not flexible so be very gentle on the sides and down the legs. If your horse is flinching and twitching away, switch to the dandy brush over the sensitive areas. After the curry comb, follow with the same pattern with the dandy brush, this will flick away all the dust and dead hair. Follow up with the body brush for that shiny, sleek look, and also use the body brush on the face, but not near the eyes. A soft cloth that has been moistened with warm, clear water or a piece of sponge can be used to clean around the eyes and inside the nostrils.

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