5 mins
A grooming kit is one of the first things you purchase when you get a horse, and there’s good reason behind it. Every horse needs grooming especially if you’re riding them. Grooming your horse not only gives you the chance to give them a once over and check your horse’s general health, but it improves the health of your horse’s skin and coat by removing dirt, sweat and loose hair from their coat, reducing the chance of skin infections and chafing which can occur when riding. So which brushes do what? We’ve got a huge range of different brushes to target different areas of the horse. Read on to learn about the eight essential brushes to keep in your grooming kit.
Curry Comb
These are extremely useful brushes when it comes to tough bits of mud that won’t budge. They can be used in a circular motion which works to remove dirt and loose hair in a comfortable way for the horse. Curry Combs are made in a soft and hard version.
Dandy Brush
These are often used after a curry comb to remove remaining bits of mud and dirt. Dandy Brushes have stiff bristles compare to a body brush and are mostly used on the body of the horse and legs. You should avoid using a dandy brush on a horse’s head as this can be too rough. You should use the Dandy Brush in the same direction as the horse’s hair lays for a comfortable experience.
Body Brush
These are used exactly as their name suggests… for all over the body! They are generally used after you’ve given your horse the once over with a curry comb and dandy brush to remove the left over loose hair and dirt. These brushes have soft bristles, making them suitable to use on your horse’s head. Body Brushes will leave your horse looking sparkly and shiny!
Face Brush
Face Brushes are designed to softly remove dirt off your horse’s face and have soft bristles to do so. They’re often relatively smaller in size to previous brushes mentioned making it much easier to brush around your horse’s eyes and fit perfectly into your hand.
Hoof Pick
These are used to remove any dirt, stones or other foreign objects to ensure hoof health. If hooves aren’t picked out regularly, your horse can be at risk of bacterial and fungal infections affecting their hooves. Hoof Picks have a sharp end which you use in a downward motion to pick out the dirt and foreign object build up. Some designs also have a brush attached to one side of the hoof pick which works really well to remove any leftover dirt and debris after you’ve picked the hoof out.
Mane and Tail Comb
Mane and Tail Combs are used to softly brush out the mane and tail without damaging the delicate hairs. It’s important when brushing these to do it in careful long strokes, as mane and tail hair is more likely to fall out and takes longer to grow back.
Sweat Scraper
Sweat Scrapers are used to scrape water and sweat off your horse’s coat after a bath. They help speed up the process of drying by removing a large amount of water. They are used best with long strokes.
Grooming Kit
One of the most useful items to secure all your brushes and combs is a grooming kit or grooming bag. Made specifically to store your grooming tools, these kits and bags have little pockets and compartments just for them!
At Horseland we’re here to help care for your horse’s wellbeing. We offer all the essentials to keep your horse looking their best, from shampoo and conditioners, to brushes and combs and all your favourite plaiting equipment. Browse our wide range of products at your local Horseland store or online.
