| One of the nicest ways to bond with your horse is to | | | | After caring for the horse's body it is time to care for |
| spend time grooming him. While sometimes it is ok to | | | | its feet. There are two basic kinds of hoofpicks. Basic |
| just give your horse a quick dust-off before you ride, | | | | hoofpicks are made of metal with a pick on one end |
| every so often you should spend some extra time | | | | and a loop to hold on to on the other end. These are |
| with him just getting to know him as you groom. | | | | simple, efficient tools that cost very little and do a good |
| So what is involved in grooming anyway? Most people | | | | job. The other type is plastic with a metal pick that |
| think of it as merely running a brush over the horse, | | | | sticks out the end and a small stiff-bristled brush |
| picking its feet and leaving it at that. But there is a lot | | | | opposite the pick. A bit more expensive, this kind of |
| more to good grooming. | | | | hoofpick has the added benefit of being able to brush |
| The first step in a thorough grooming is to curry your | | | | out debris that the pick cannot reach and make a |
| horse. Take a curry comb, either a plastic one or a | | | | cleaner hoof overall. Another benefit is the molded |
| rubber one, and use in circular motion that work with | | | | handle that can be more comfortable to hold. Both |
| the horse's coat. Currying acts as a massage, easing | | | | types of picks are equally good and it is a matter of |
| tense muscles and increasing circulation to the skin. | | | | personal preference which type you decide to use. |
| Every grooming session should start with at least a | | | | When picking out the feet, be careful to remove all |
| brief curry. | | | | debris from the grooves beside the frog. Any stones |
| You can use the curry comb over any part of the | | | | that are lodged in there could bruise the horse's foot |
| horse's body that is muscled. That means the entire | | | | and cause lameness. If the horse wears shoes do not |
| neck, body and down the legs to the knees/hocks. | | | | try to wedge the hoofpick between the shoes and the |
| Don't be afraid to apply a bit of pressure as you | | | | horse's foot as that can loosen the fit and increase the |
| groom - the horse will enjoy this as it gives the | | | | chance that your horse will loose a shoe. |
| muscles an invigorating massage. | | | | The final touch of a good grooming job is to comb out |
| After the curry comb use a hard bristled brush. The | | | | the mane and tail. While some prefer not to use a |
| brush should have some give to the bristles. Some | | | | comb or brush on the tail if it is well cared for on a |
| hard brushes are too hard and are not likely to be | | | | regular basis you will actually loose less hair in the long |
| comfortable to the horse. The hard brush should be | | | | run. If you are not planning to braid the hair you can |
| used in short strokes in the direction of the hair. If you | | | | use a product such as Show Sheen to detangle the |
| give the brush a little flick at the end of each stroke it | | | | hairs and make combing out easier. |
| will pull the dust and dirt off the coat. The hard brush | | | | It is truly a matter of personal preference when it |
| will lay the horse's coat smooth and flat. | | | | comes to combs and brushes for manes and tails. |
| Because of the firmness of the bristles a hard brush | | | | You can buy special brushes at the tack shop, make a |
| should not be used on the horse's face. It can be used | | | | tail brush out of an old push broom or use a brush |
| everywhere else on the horse's body including the legs. | | | | you've purchased at the local pharmacy. With combs it |
| A hard brush is great for getting off caked on mud | | | | is important to have one with reasonably wide spacing |
| from the lower legs. | | | | between the teeth. The comb should be made of |
| Finally it is time to take a soft brush and dust your | | | | smooth metal or a resilient plastic which is not brittle or |
| horse down. The soft brush has long, soft bristles that | | | | overly flexible. Plastic combs will lose tines over time |
| give easily and are great for flicking off the remaining | | | | and should be replaced when there are too many |
| dust and dirt. Use long brushstrokes with the hair | | | | gaps to make them useful. Metal combs often hold up |
| growth. | | | | far better. |
| The soft brush can be used everywhere on your | | | | As you groom make sure that you give your horse |
| horse, including the face. It is a great way to add a | | | | lots of extra attention. A truly thorough grooming job |
| finishing touch to the coat and bring out the shine. Most | | | | can take up to an hour. Take your time and enjoy |
| horses love the soft brush and have no problem even | | | | your horse. He will love you for the extra TLC and |
| in sensitive areas. | | | | your bond will become that much closer. |