How to Groom Your Horse

Encourage a bond with your horse while grooming. Taking care of your horse's coat, hooves and hair provides an opportunity for you to check for injuries or irritations. Ideally, grooming should occur daily, but it's a must before and after riding. Grit beneath the saddle or girth or cinch will be uncomfortable for your horse and could cause saddle or girth sores. 

Preparing to Groom Your Horse

Gather and arrange your grooming tools in a convenient, safe place. A wide bucket may be cheapest and easiest to put your brushes in, although there are lots of grooming boxes on the market that keep your tools organized and handy.

Don’t set your bucket or box too close to your horse where he could knock it over, or where you might trip over it as you move around your horse. Tie the horse securely and safely with cross ties or with a quick-release knot. 

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

• Curry comb or grooming mitt
• Body brush with fairly stiff bristles
• Mane and tail comb (plastic causes less breakage than metal)
• Fine soft bristled finishing brush
• Hoof pick
• Scissors or clippers (optional)

Materials

• Clean sponge or soft cloth
• Grooming spray (optional)
• Hoof ointment if recommended by your farrier (optional)

Instructions

Clean Your Horse's or Pony's Hooves

Slide your hand down the left foreleg. Gently squeeze the back of the leg along the tendons just above the pastern and say "up," "hoof," or whatever word your horse responds to.

Hold the hoof and with the hoof pick pry out any dirt, manure, or grit lodged in the frog or sole of the foot. Check for any injury and signs of thrush, grease heel, or other problems, and take note of any cracks in the wall of the hoof, so you can consult with your veterinarian or farrier as to what should be done. Gently place the foot back down on the ground and continue until all four feet are done.

Curry Your Horse or Pony

Starting on the left side, or "offside," use your curry comb or grooming mitt to loosen the dirt in your horse’s coat. Remove any mud, grit, dust, and other debris before trying to put a real shine on your horse’s coat.

Curry in circular sweeps all over the horse’s body, but be careful over the bony areas of the shoulders, hips, and legs. Many horses are sensitive about having their bellies and between the back legs brushed (although some love it). If your horse reacts by laying back his ears or swishing his tail in agitation, he is telling you that the brushing is too vigorous.