Wild horses naturally groom themselves and one another in a variety of ways, including rolling around, scratching against things and by using their teeth. When a horse is taken to the stables, it is therefore necessary for them to still be groomed, and this can go a long way to building a good relationship between the rider and the horse. Grooming will not only keep your horse looking clean and well-cared for, but will also enable the rider to look for any cuts or bruises that may require attention.
When you first start grooming your horse, you will need to ensure that it is safely secured somewhere, so that you can do the job at hand comfortably. As part of your daily grooming routine, you will want to check the hooves carefully and clean them out as needed. A Hoof pick is a good tool to use, although you will want to make sure that you are using it properly to avoid damaging the soft parts of the hoof. Use this time to check the condition of the shoes as well as for any signs of thrush or the like. After cleaning you can apply hoof oil to maintain and help it the hooves.
As part of your daily grooming, you will also want to use a brush to bring out the shine on your horse’s coat. There are many different kinds of brushes, including body brushes, dandy brushes, hoof mitts and various combs. These different brushes can be used to rid your horse of any dried mud that has stuck to their coats, and to bring back the shine to their coats and mane. After brushing your horse, you should use a sponge around your horse’s eyes, nose and dock to remove any gunk in these hard to reach areas. Make sure that you use three different sponges for the different areas. Grooming is important for the physical and mental well-being of your horse and done on a daily basis will keep your horse healthy and happy
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Wed, Nov 19, 2008
Horses