
Archive for November 21st, 2009
Clean and Picture Perfect Horse!

Please take my Picture
It is vital to keep your horses coat clean not only for the look of the shiny coat, but also for health reasons. Keeping your horse clean can help prevent dangerous diseases from wrecking havoc on your horses coat and skin. There are a few different pieces of grooming equipment that are needed for the proper grooming of your horse. Below is a quick overview of how I always have done.
First I make sure to secure my horse with a halter and lead rope. This is to make sure that it is safe for me and my horse. I also am sure to use a quick release clip in case I need to release the animal quickly.
1. Use a coarse curry comb to begin the process. Brush from front to back, beginning by the horse’s neck and continuing over and down towards the hind. Do this on both sides using circular motions to remove loose hair and bring dirt to remove dirt and debris. Use a fine curry comb to clean and massage sensitive areas.
2. Use a stiff brush to remove all the dirt and debris that were brought to the surface by the curry comb. You don’t have to press hard when using the stiff brush. But do use short quick strokes. Do not use the stiff brush on the face, the inside of the hind legs, and other sensitive body parts of the horse.
3. Use a soft brush for the parts of the body that you did not use the stiff brush on.
4. A sponge or a wet rag can be used to clean the horse’s eyes, ears, and nose.
5. You can use fingers to separate and smooth the hairs in the horse’s mane and tail but the easiest and most efficient way is to use a mane comb. Please take your time when working on the mane and tail as you don’t want to pull or break the hairs.
6. Don’t forget the hooves. Keeping the hooves clean will allow your horse to walk comfortably and will clean out any pebbles, dirt or foreign objects.
Once you are finished your horse should have a clean shiny coat, mane and tail. Beautiful!
There are also a variety of shampoos to use should you want to give your horse a bath. But either way you choose, keeping your horse clean is to help to make sure that no illness can infest your horses’ skin. It also is a way to create a special bond and to be able to recognize any changes to your horses’ body.