A grooming routine
The wet and muddy horse
If your horse has come in from the field muddy and wet, then he will need to dry off before he can be groomed. Brushing a muddy, wet horse just brushes the mud deeper into the coat instead of out of it. However, there are a few things you can do to help a horse dry off quicker.
Firstly, you can use a few handfuls of straw or shavings to give him a good rub-down, avoiding any bony prominences. Rubbing him in this way in big circular motions, not only helps to dry him off but also helps to remove surface mud from the coat and stimulates the circulation to the skin and muscle below, which helps to warm him and dry him from the inside-out.
Another option is to use a sweat rug, but you will then need to wash this afterwards. You must make sure that your sweat rug is one that wicks moisture away from the skin, rather than traps it in. You would be amazed how many people are using rugs as ‘sweat rugs’ when they are not designed for this purpose.
While waiting for the horse to dry, you can pick out his feet and perhaps brush his tail or at least remove any debris from it.
Getting grooming underway
Once you have a dry horse you can begin to groom.
Start at the head, behind the ears, as the head will be groomed later on.
Use either a dandy brush or a rubber curry comb to remove the dirt or dried mud.
Continue down the front legs, over the back and flanks, over the hindquarters and down the hind legs.
Repeat this process on both sides of your horse.
Watch your horse to determine how much pressure is required.
The dandy brush and curry comb are quite hard, so be careful, especially over bony prominences and over the legs where there is very little covering of the bony structures.
Having said this, you do not want to tickle your horse either and grooming is supposed to be hard work for the human! You need to put power behind your brush strokes!
Standing closer to the horse is safer. This may seem counterintuitive but if your horse were to kick, you do not want him to have built up too much momentum by the time he hits you. Instead, being closer means that you will be hit with less force and be much less likely to get hurt.
Bringing out the body brush
Having removed the loose dirt and mud, you now come to the harder work.
At this point you can first sponge off any stubborn stains and then you need to start with the body brush in one hand and the curry comb in the other.
Using the body brush, make powerful, long strokes down the neck in the same way you did with the dandy brush.
Every three or four strokes, turn away from the horse and draw the brush across the curry comb to remove the loose hair and skin you have dislodged.
Every so often, tap the curry comb on a hard surface to remove the dirt.
The more you use the body brush on a predominantly stable-kept horse, the better for the horse’s skin but, if your horse lives out year-round, just be careful not to use it too often, as it can remove the oils needed to keep the horse warm.
The last bits
Once you have completed this to your satisfaction you can clean any tangles out of the mane and tail. Remember with the tail to always start at the bottom and gradually work your way up.
After this you can then brush the face using a face brush or a damp face cloth.
At this stage you should have now brushed the horse all over including between the legs and under the mane and forelock.
Next, you can use a damp sponge to clean the eyes and nostrils, and with another sponge clean the dock and, if possible, with a gelding, the sheath. Just be aware that the sheath is a sensitive area, and some horses will kick if you start to feel around this area.
TOP TIP: For an extra sheen to the coat, wrap an old silk scarf (it must be silk, not synthetic) round a body brush and finish the coat with this.
Check out this great grooming routine video from ProEquine Grooms on the standard grooming routine for a healthy horse. You can find lots more like this on YouTube, and we highly recommend subscribing to their YouTube channel!