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Not only does grooming your horse make them look good, but it can be beneficial to their health.
It is also a great way for you to spend quality time and bond with your horse. Having a grooming kit is essential for keeping a clean and healthy horse.
6 Essential Horse Grooming Tools & Their Uses
Your horse’s grooming kit should include all the basics that you may need for grooming. This will include a hoof pick, shedding blade, sponge, sweat scraper, detangler, brushes and combs.
Curry Comb
A curry comb is a circular or oval in shape comb that contains contain ridges for loosening debris. Curry combs are used in a circular motion while brushing and are designed to loosen excess dirt and hair. Curry combs are made of plastic or rubber and are first tool you use when brushing a horse.
Recommended: The Tough 1 Large Rubber Curry Comb is a great curry comb to add to your grooming box. It is made from durable rubber and is designed to fit comfortably in your hand.
Stiff Brush
A stiff brush, also known as a hard or dandy brush, is used to remove any dirt or hair that a curry comb loosened. A stiff horse brush is made from stiff bristles and should be used in quick, short flicks to get rid of any debris.
Recommended: The Oster Stiff Grooming Brush is made to remove dirt and hair with minimum effort needed. It is designed to fit comfortably in your hand and its stiff bristles hold up against even the dirtiest horses.
Soft Brush
A soft brush, also known as a body brush, is used all over the horse’s body. Smooth, long strokes are used to get rid of any excess dirt that is left. Its soft bristles distribute the natural oils found on your horse’s coat, leaving them with a shiny finish.
Recommended: The extra soft Equi-Essentials Horsehoe Brush allows you to achieve a beautiful finish on your horse’s coat. Its wooden handle is sturdy and comfortable for your hand.
Hoof Pick
The hoof pick is a must-have in every grooming kit. A hoof pick is a hooked metal tool used to remove dirt and rocks from a horse’s hooves. When picking a horse’s hoof start from the heel and work towards the toe, carefully removing debris.
Recommended: A sturdy hoof pick is important, which is why the Intrepid International Rubber Hoof Pick with Brush is a great choice. Its easy-grip handle and sturdy design are able to remove all debris from your horse’s hooves.
Mane & Tail Brush
A mane and tail full of tangles is no fun. Having a mane and tail brush in your grooming kit is necessary to keep your horse tangle-free. Most mane and tail brushes are often made from sturdy plastic since horses have coarse hair.
Recommended: The Oster Mane and Tail Brush sturdy design works hard to remove knots while being gentle on hair. The brush’s bristles gently glide through manes and tails, leaving them smooth and tangle-free.
Shedding Tool
Shedding tools are your best friend when your horse sheds their winter coat. They are made to safely remove horses winter coats that are in the process of coming off. Shedding blades are made of metal blades with teeth that remove loose hair with ease.
Recommended: The SleekEZ is the ultimate shedding tool for removing excess hair. It’s simple yet unique design efficiently eliminates loose hair without tugging at the skin.
Mane and Tail Detangler
Sometimes your horse’s mane and tail get so tangly that a brush is just not enough. Detangler works wonders for removing stubborn knots and tough tangles.
Recommended: Mane n Tail Detangler is a spray-on detangler that eliminates tangles and knots while conditioning. Its friction free-slip reduces damage to the mane and tail, creating strong, smooth hair.
Sponge
A sponge is great to have if you need to give your horse a bath or cool them down after riding on a warm day. Sponges can also be efficient for gently cleaning a horse’s face.
Recommended: The Decker Body Sponge is the perfect sponge to keep handy in your grooming box. Large and absorbent, this sponge allows you to effectively bathe your horse.
Sweat Scraper
Sweat scrapers are used to remove any excess moisture off a horse. They come in metal or rubber blades that allow you to easily wipe away excess sweat or water.
Recommended: The Happy Horse Thick Rubber Sweat Scraper efficiently wicks away any water and sweat from your horse. The comfortable grip and durable design are ideal for using on your horse.
Pulling Comb
If you need to keep your horse’s mane short, a pulling comb is necessary to shorten and thin their mane. However, in some breeds and disciplines horses do not need pulled manes so pulling combs are nonessential.
Recommended: Perri’s Aluminum Pulling Comb is sturdy and efficient, making pulling your horse’s mane easy. Its small size makes it simple to use and allows for precise mane pulling.
FAQs
How Often Should a Horse be Groomed?
A horse should always be groomed before it is ridden. Dirt and loose hair can cause irritation and even skin problems if not removed before riding.
Do Horses Like Being Groomed?
Yes, most horses love to be groomed. To them it can feel like they are getting a message. Additionally, grooming is brilliant way to bond with your horse.
Why is Grooming Your Horse Important?
Grooming your horse is important because it removes dirt and excess hair that might cause skin problems on your horse. Grooming promotes a healthy coat and allows you to also check for any injuries or health problems on your horse. It even increases blood flow to the skin’s surface.
How Do You Take Care of a Horse After Riding?
If your horse is hot and sweaty after riding them, you will want to sponge them off to remove any sweat and help them cool down. After using a sponge, remove any excess water with a sweat scraper.
How Long Does It Take to Groom a Horse?
Typically, it will take you 15-25 minutes to groom a horse. This includes brushing, picking their hooves, and combing their mane and tail. However, if your horse is extra dirty this will likely take longer.
How do you clean grooming tools?
You cannot groom a horse properly with dirty brushes, so you must keep them clean by removing excess dirt during your daily grooming sessions.
At least once a week, soak your grooming tools in a bucket of hot water with mild dish detergent for several minutes. Afterward, rinse the items in a bucket of clean water and allow them to air dry.
Also, read our guide on the best horse brushes for grooming to get the best brushes for your horse. Lastly, see our guides on the best grooming kits and grooming bags.