Grooming your horse is a vital part of his overall health. Horses, depending on the region they live, will grow a winter hair coat and then shed it in the spring. Grooming will help to stimulate the skin and therefore grow that healthy coat and then shed it when the warm weather comes. The process of grooming best starts with using a curry comb in circular motions all over the horses body except the lower legs and head area. This will help to remove any dead hair and open up the pours?? of the skin to promote a healthy coat. This also acts as a basic massage and help increase blood flow to the skin. Next a medium bristle brush will help to remove the dirt and hair loosened up by the curry comb. Always start just behind the ears of the horse and work back towards his tail. Next use a soft bristle brush to smooth out his hair coat and a cloth “rub rag” to put the finishing touches and that sheen in his hair coat. If you want to go one more step, use your hands and rub with the hair….the oils from your hands will put a winners shine on his hair coat. Grooming your horse helps with circulation, promote skin and hair health, and just keeps you in tune with how your horse is feeling. Dirt that accumulates can be a detriment to your horses coat which can cause a skin disease. It is also very important to clean your horses feel with a hoof pick every day, inspect his shoes and smell for any bad odors that could be related to thrush. Always inspect their shoes and ALWAYS put your hand over their hoof and feel for heat. Remember “No foot no horse” as we say.
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