grooming.html

Spring Grooming

by Barbara Tibbs

The coming of spring can be an exciting time around the stable with the arrival of new foals, new training programs, and the shedding of those shaggy winter coats. The latter is a process that every horse goes through naturally each season, but we as horse owners can help them out.

A consistent grooming program does more than help your horse to shed out more quickly. Vigorous grooming helps to stimulate the blood circulation to the muscles and can help improve muscle tone. Also just fifteen minutes of grooming a day can generate the flow of natural oils that add a healthy, natural shine.

Another benefit from daily grooming is that this process allows you to check more closely the condition of your animal's hide. It is during this time that you can become aware of any external parasites, rashes, cuts, or other injuries.

Below is a simple daily routine that if followed can provide outstanding results and in the long run can save you a lot of money in expensive grooming products.

Tool

How & Where to Use
Purpose

Rubber Curry
The rubber curry or a similar rubber devices should be used as the first item in your grooming program. You should use it in short, vigorous circular motions starting from the poll on the left (near) side of the horse working your way down and back being very gentle in covering the areas below the knees and hocks and proceeding around to the right (off or far) side of the horse. The rubber curry removes deep dirt, dried mud, loosens hair, and aids in getting air to the skin.

Stiff Brush (Mud Brush)
Like the rubber curry the stiff brush should be used with short vigorous motions starting and ending in the same location on the horse. However, with this tool we do not use it below the knees and hocks or on the face because of the lack of muscle padding on the horse and we want the horse to enjoy the grooming process. Instead of circular motions, you should use quick flicking motions again working from the top down and the front back. This brush is very useful for removing deep down dirt and loose hair. If there is dried, crusted mud on the horses legs, it can be used very gently in those areas to remove the mud.

Soft Brush (Finishing or Dandy Brush)
Because this brush is so soft, it can be used anywhere on the horse without causing discomfort. Like the two grooming tools used above, start on the left working down and back around the horse. With this brush you use much longer, sweeping motions but in a manner in which to polish the hair. This brush is designed to remove any surface dust and hair and to polish the coat.

Groom Rag or Towel
With long sweeping motions much like used with the soft brush you proceed around the horse in the same polishing manner. The purpose of the towel is again to polish the hair coat, remove surface dust and aid in bringing the natural oils in the hide to the surface.

Mane and Tail Comb or Brush
When working with a mane and tail brush or comb always start from the bottom and work up. This will take the tangles out easier where starting at the top and working down will tighten tangles more. Another effective method that takes more time but can produce better results is to individually separate each hair by hand. The purpose of these tools is to keep hair tangle free and to allow air to get to the skin surface.

Hoof Pick
Pick out the bottom of the hoof by pushing the hoof pick away from you working from the heel along the edges of the frog area. Remove all dirt and pebbles or stones that may be lodged in the hoof. The purpose of the picking out the hoof is to keep the bottom of the hoof free from any obstructions which may cause discomfort or lameness for the horse.

Tibbs Arabians

84 Center Valley Rd. Sandpoint, ID 83864 (208) 265-4084

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Tool	How & Where to Use	Purpose
Rubber Curry	The rubber curry or a similar rubber devices should be used as the first item in your grooming program. You should use it in short, vigorous circular motions starting from the poll on the left (near) side of the horse working your way down and back being very gentle in covering the areas below the knees and hocks and proceeding around to the right (off or far) side of the horse.	The rubber curry removes deep dirt, dried mud, loosens hair, and aids in getting air to the skin.
Stiff Brush (Mud Brush)	Like the rubber curry the stiff brush should be used with short vigorous motions starting and ending in the same location on the horse. However, with this tool we do not use it below the knees and hocks or on the face because of the lack of muscle padding on the horse and we want the horse to enjoy the grooming process. Instead of circular motions, you should use quick flicking motions again working from the top down and the front back.	This brush is very useful for removing deep down dirt and loose hair. If there is dried, crusted mud on the horses legs, it can be used very gently in those areas to remove the mud.
Soft Brush (Finishing or Dandy Brush)	Because this brush is so soft, it can be used anywhere on the horse without causing discomfort. Like the two grooming tools used above, start on the left working down and back around the horse. With this brush you use much longer, sweeping motions but in a manner in which to polish the hair.	This brush is designed to remove any surface dust and hair and to polish the coat.
Groom Rag or Towel	With long sweeping motions much like used with the soft brush you proceed around the horse in the same polishing manner.	The purpose of the towel is again to polish the hair coat, remove surface dust and aid in bringing the natural oils in the hide to the surface.
Mane and Tail Comb or Brush	When working with a mane and tail brush or comb always start from the bottom and work up. This will take the tangles out easier where starting at the top and working down will tighten tangles more. Another effective method that takes more time but can produce better results is to individually separate each hair by hand.	The purpose of these tools is to keep hair tangle free and to allow air to get to the skin surface.
Hoof Pick	Pick out the bottom of the hoof by pushing the hoof pick away from you working from the heel along the edges of the frog area. Remove all dirt and pebbles or stones that may be lodged in the hoof.	The purpose of the picking out the hoof is to keep the bottom of the hoof free from any obstructions which may cause discomfort or lameness for the horse.