Grooming is very important part for horses not only because it makes their coat clean and elegant and adds beauty yo horse’s appearance but also it helps to create healthy bonding between you and your dog. Grooming should be done regularly if you want to keep your horse’s skin and coat healthy.They respond very positively to horses so you won’t need to struggle like in the case of cats and dogs.
1. SECURE YOUR HORSE :-
Some horses are well – trained to stand till while grooming, however many horses will want to walk away from you after a certain time so you should keep them in a particular place by tying a lead rope. If you are tying your horse to a post or a ring then you should always use a quick – release knot as if something petrifies your house, then they might try to fall or run, then a regular knot can cause them to break their neck and this is very dangerous to them. However you should also make sure that the knot is not too loose otherwise, they can escape.
2. PICK YOUR HORSE’S HOOVES :-
Run your hand below his leg and try to squeeze his fetlock in order to pick up his foot. If he does not lift up his foot then bend towards his shoulder and lift him off from the ground. You can start at the foot’s heel by using a hoof pick and then pick forward towards toe , carefully remove all dirt, rocks and other irrelevant objects. Also make sure to clean grooves on any side of the part frog, ( frog is a V – shaped flabby part of the hoof ) this part is very sensitive so you should be careful while picking it even if you have to hit it real hard. If you pick up the foot first, then you’re more likely to notice the feebleness before you even start grooming.
3. USE A CURRY COMB TO REMOVE LOOSE HAIR FROM THE HORSE :-
Rubber curry combs are especially built to loosen up mud, dirt and other things which usually caught in the coat of your horse. You should always use this, before brushing if you want best results and also wants your horse to be well – maintained. Use the curry comb in small, vigorous circular motions over the muscles of your horse, you should avoid the bony areas like spine, legs and face. This curry comb should be patted in a circular motion in the opposite direction of hair – growth. This will pull up dirt and loose hairs.
4. USE A DANDY BRUSH :-
A dandy brush which is also called as a hard brush is a hard – bristled brush used to take off hair and dirt brought out by curry comb. You should use this brush in a short straight in a flicker manner in order to allow the bristles to get the way to run into the coat and wipe out all the dirt. You can start working out by this brush from his neck and then work towards his tail. Run the brush down the legs of your horse in order to remove dirt, do not brush him too hard, otherwise, it might injured him. Don’t use this on his face, ears, mane, belly, tail as it can make them to feel discomfort and also can make him frighten.
5. CLEAN UP WITH A SOFT BRUSH :-
As its name suggest that this brush is quite soft and can be used on all of the areas of horse because of its texture, however be careful to use it on the face. The soft brush will remove the remaining surface hair and dust, You can finish the grooming of your horse by brushing down his whole body, which also includes sensitive areas like belly and face. Although if you want to use separate brush on his face then you can use a face brush, they’re designed especially for horse’s face in order to clean it.
6. CLEAN THE HORSE’S FACE :-
Take a wash cloth or wet sponge and swab your horse’s nose nose and eyes. You should use a different wash cloth/wet sponge for cleaning its dock (under the tail ) as these areas are dirt, moist and built up of mucus, hence, it needs to be cleaned out. Remember always to be gentle while doing this as these areas are quite sensitive.
7. BRUSH OUT THE MANE AND TAIL :-
Use a wide – bristled brush or mane comb in order to get tangles out of the tail and mane. You can use your fingers to abstract hairs which is caught in large tangles before you even start. Hold the large section of mane in your one hand and then brush it out with other. Now, continue this by taking the small pieces from side until you’ve brushed the whole tail.