July 4, 2009

7 Simple Horse Grooming Tips

by Riche Goldmann

Horses are animals that can be rather high maintenance. They need more than just feeding and a casual brushing. If you ask any horse owner or veterinarian they will tell you that not only are horses a lot of work, but all pets are. The upkeep on an animal the size of a horse can be a bit overwhelming if you do not incorporate it into your daily routine. The following are 7 simple tips for grooming your horse, and any horse lover should find them helpful.

To begin with, clean the hooves of your horse. Horse hooves, just like human feet, are extremely important and require cleaning almost on a daily basis. Buy a hoof pick, which is inexpensive, and use it to pick out any small pebbles or other debris that may have gotten stuck inside. Dirty hooves can ruin the feet of your animal as they create painful situations for them potentially causing infections or your horse to be unable to walk.

Making sure to wash and clean the face of a horse after a ride or other exercise is necessary in order to prevent hair loss and infections that can occur from fungal infections. Dampness, moisture and sweat can damage the coat of your horse, and sometimes the face of the animal is forgotten. Instead of using the rigid sweat scrapers to remove water from the hips and legs of a horse, you should use the Squeegees that are made specifically for horses. This is more comfortable for the animal and it really does a better job. Using these products can also help you avoid scraping away bits of hair from the animals body.

Use a sponge to clean different areas on your horse. Keep these separate and do not use the same sponge on the dock that is used for the face. If you remember to keep the sponges separated you will prevent cross contamination of bacteria and other microbes from one area to another.

The tail of a horse requires the same kind of maintenance as a girl’s hair. It must be washed, conditioned, and detangled weekly. The tail should also be brushed everyday to prevent serious tangling and to prevent snarls and sores on your horse. If you want, you can use a tail bag to protect your horse’s tail, but be certain to tie the bag below the horse’s tail bone.

Provide shade or coverings for dark coated horses that are spending time in the bright sun. This will help prevent fading of their coat colors. If you have a horse that is sweating from riding or exercise you should rinse him before turning him out into the sunlit pastures. The salty sweat can speed up the fading process seen in horses coats, and rinsing is a simple grooming step that can help prevent this from occurring.

Remember that bathing your horse is part of good grooming, but you need to exercise caution. If you give him too many shampoos you can create a dull coat. Regular bathing with soaps and shampoos should be a once a week process at most.

Coat polishing sprays are great to use on your horse after you’ve given him a bath. When you use coat polishing sprays, your horse’s coat will really shine. Moreover, your horse’s coat will be protected from any dust build up that commonly causes skin infections and allergies.

Using these 7 simple horse grooming tips will make your horse happier and healthier, while improving his appearance.

About the Author:

Riche Goldmann is a horse owner who participates in various trail rides all across the country. He purchases grooming supplies for his horse from Tractor Supply. He recommends the Tractor Supply Company for all those needing supplies for their horses, as they always offer great prices on all goods.