The Art of Grooming - Part1 (Click Here for Part 2)

We all groom our horses and it’s a tough job, but let us think of grooming as an art form. You are the artist and your horse the medium.

Many of us are horse owners who board our horses and rush to the barn after work or on weekends to squeeze in our ride time between work and family obligations. We often find our horses mucky & muddy with manes and tails full of burrs. We rush through a quick grooming session to prepare our horses for a ride we have dreamt about all day. With barely enough time for the necessities, there is little time to spare for pursuing the artistic side of grooming. But what if we could make time to be artists as well as athletes, fitting it neatly into our busy schedules? Your horse will thank you for it.

Grooming is an essential element of horse ownership. Not only does it create and foster the bond between us but it is fundamental in maintaining the health and happiness of your horse. A dirty coat can attract bacteria leaving your horse susceptible to skin diseases. Regular grooming increases circulation, improves muscle tone and removes dirt and loose hair, bringing natural oils to the coats surface. It also alerts us to any signs of injury, skin diseases or infections.

The first step in your grooming regimen is to have your grooming box organized. If you have more than one horse, each horse will need its own tools in its own box. It is also a good idea to wear a grooming apron with multiple pockets. This will help to keep you clean and allow you to keep the tools you are using easily at hand. Below is a list of essential items for a good grooming kit:
 

Grooming Apron by EQUIMODE	Grooming Kit Essentials
	Grooming Apron Hoof Pick with Brush Hoof Dressing (optional) Rubber Currycomb Small Face Brush (soft-bristles) Face Wipes Mane & Tail Comb - plastic or metal Detangler for Mane & Tail Grooming Mitt Metal Shedding Blade Soft Body Brush Stiff Body Brush Dandy Brush Braiding Apron	Towels Bot Knife Scissors - blunt nose Grooming Sponge Show sheen (optional) Fly Repellent (see below) Sunscreen Latex or vinyl gloves (disposable) Wet Wipes (for you)
	Be sure to keep your grooming tools clean by washing them in warm, soapy water and allowing them to dry thoroughly.

Start with the Hooves

Begin with your horses hooves. Pick out all dirt and debris. Always inspect every crevice and use your brush to scrub the sole. Be sure to take notice whether there is any softness or a foul smell which would indicate thrush. When you have finished, always run your hand along the legs, inspecting for any unusual lumps or abrasions.

Quick Tips for Hooves

1. For hooves that are cracked and dry, a thin coating of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) applied with a paintbrush will work wonders! The petroleum jelly will help to repel rain also!


2. Thrush can be a real problem. A treatment to try is this, scrub the hoof well with a stiff brush and some Betadine (available at your local tack shop or pharmacy). Dry the hoof well and apply an anti-fungal. Coat the entire sole & frog with petroleum jelly (Vaseline) then add a layer of hoof moisturizer. This will keep the hoof dry and dirt free allowing the anti-fungal agent to do its job.


3. For nice white hooves on show day, try this; Clean, wash and dry the hooves. Rub baby oil into the hooves, allowing it to soak in for about an hour. Use fine sandpaper to rub the hooves, spending about 5 minutes per hoof. When you are finished sanding, rub in more Baby Oil and you will be amazed at the shiny, clean hooves your horse now has!


4. Using Hoof-Black can be a real mess. Here are some tips to keep the mess to a minimum. To keep your hands clean while using your Hoof Black, place the bottle upright into an old coffee cup. When the Hoof-Black runs down the side of the bottle it will be collected in the cup and not on your hands. After a few uses, the overflow will collect in the bottom of the cup and will make the bottle stick so you will never have to worry about the bottle falling out. Wearing a pair of disposable latex or vinyl gloves is recommended. To prevent the bottle cap from sticking coat the the threads of the bottle and inside the cap when you first open it. If you do happen to get Hoof Black on yourself or your horse, simply spray with aerosol hairspray to remove it.


5. Hoof dressing, when needed, can provide needed moisture which will prevent dry cracked hooves, frogs and soles. Rub the hoof dressing onto the hoof, making sure to massage in.

	Face & Mane Now that you are finished caring for the hooves the next step is always the horse's head. Start with your rubber currycomb, moving in a circular motion to loosen dirt or mud. Use a damp sponge or towel around the eyes, ears and muzzle. Look for any signs of infection and follow up by gently stroking the hair with the small soft-bristled face brush. Moving on to the mane first spray the mane with a detangler, leaving it to set for a few moments. Begin by gently working through the hairs with you comb, being careful not to pull out any hair. Stubborn tangles should be removed by hand and then combed through. Next, use a stiff body brush to brush the underside of the mane and follow up with a soft brush to lay the hair in place. If you have a mane that is hard to control, use a little mane taming spray to help the mane lay in place.
A Quick Tip for Manes For a super clean and smooth mane, use mayonnaise. Use it just like you would shampoo and then wash it out. Try it on the tail too!
Grooming the Body The neck and body are next. Use a rubber currycomb or grooming mitt to remove dirt, debris and hair from the coat stroking in a circular motion. Don’t be afraid to apply some elbow grease here! Most horses will appreciate the pressure. Use your dandy brush in steady downward strokes to remove the dirt and then follow with the body brush. Use your metal shedding blade between strokes to remove the hair and dirt from your body brush.   Grooming Quick Tips To remove stubborn sweat stains, dilute rubbing alcohol with water in a spray bottle and spray on the stain. Wipe with a brush and watch the stain disappear. Towelling over the horse will spread the natural oils you have just brought to the surface through your diligent brushing. This will make your horses coat shine and glisten.		A Quick Tip for Burrs One of the most difficult things to deal with when grooming is burrs! For quick removal, apply an aerosol cooking spray on the burred areas. The burrs will slip out much easier.

The Horse's Legs

Legs need special care when brushing. The tender skin can become bruised if brushed too roughly. Use a soft body brush to gently brush the legs. Use your bot knife to remove any eggs and always check for any unusual bumps, scratches or cuts. Never try to brush off wet mud. Either hose it gently off or wait until it is dry before brushing it off.

The Tail

Moving on to the tail, first spray the tail with a detangler spray. Remove any debris, burrs or tangles by hand to prevent breakage the hair. Then, using your metal or plastic comb begin working at the bottom of the tail and work upwards until all tangles are gone. You may need to use your detangler spray as you go. If you work on the tail regularly, this should be a fairly simple procedure, however, if it has been a while since you have tackled the tail, then you may find this a lengthy session.

Those Darn Flies

Finally, spray a generous amount of fly repellent over the entire body. To avoid contact with the eyes and nostrils spray a small amount onto a towel or sponge and gently wipe the face and ears. Apply a sunscreen to prevent sun damage to your horse’s coat and skin.

Natural Fly Repellents

Try these home-made natural fly repellent alternatives. Remember to always consult with your veterinarian prior to administering any of these to your horse.

Well groomed...	Now is the time to give yourself a big pat on the back, stand aside and admire the beautiful work of art standing in front of you. Your horse is gorgeous, happy & healthy! Now have a look at yourself, are you are covered in dust & hair, maybe you could use a grooming apron. Have a look at our affordable grooming aprons from EQUIMODE. They are stylish, durable & most of all practical. Think of your new grooming apron as your artist’s smock!	...& ready for show
written by Donna Nearing Link to Part 2 - Clipping, Trimming and Braiding. To ensure you don't miss out on next month's feature article click here to sign up for our Newsletter now.