How to Groom Your Horse for a Rodeo

Grooming is an essential part of caring for your horse. Not only does the ritual help you keep your animal looking clean and well cared for, but it gives both horse and owner a chance to bond.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hoof Picks
• Black Shoe Polish
• Bon Ami Cleanser
• Hoof Black
• Medium-bristled Horse Brush
• Soft-bristled Horse Brush

Basic Grooming

1. Put a halter around your horse's head.

2. Tie your horse to a post, railing or tie hook with a cross or single tie. Leave enough slack so that your horse can move his or her head from side to side but can't walk away.

3. Use a soft- or medium-bristled brush to groom your horse's entire body, except for his or her face. Make sure to brush your horse's legs, belly, tail and mane.

4. Use only a soft-bristled brush on the horse's face.

5. Sweep the horse's forelocks - or bangs - out of his or her eyes. The hair should hang straight down the horse's face in between the eyes.

6. Use a hoof pick to clean any dirt or rocks from the horse's hooves.

Grooming for a Show

7. Braid or trim your horse's mane if you're participating in an event that requires it, such as a Western Pleasure or Halter event.

8. Apply a darkener such as baby oil or Face Glo to the horse's face to accentuate his or her lighter eyes and muzzle.

9. Darken your horse's hooves with a product such as Hoof Black if you're participating in an event such as Western Pleasure, Trail Riding, Halter or Showmanship.

10. Whiten the white marks on your horse's legs by applying Bon Ami cleanser.

Tips & Warnings

• While brushing your horse, make sure she doesn't have any bumps or cuts that need attention.

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on 7/31/2006 If you are rubbing baby oil on your horse's coat to make it shiny, don't put it where the saddle or bride goes as it will make it slippery (it could cause the saddle to slip).

on 7/10/2006 To get your horse's coat extremely shiny you need to brush him constantly. Some people say that this rids them of natural oils, but in fact it causes them to produce more and more of them. The result is a sleek and beautiful coat on your horse.

Also, remember to always give the brush a little flick at the end of each stroke to get off the dust. And of course work from the top/front to the bottom/back.

on 6/30/2006 Baby wipes, particularly the ones made for sensitive skin, will take off the light layer of dust that accumulates on their fur. One can also use a cloth lightly soaked in alcohol (not your beer or whiskey). It dries very quickly and is safe (just don't apply when smoking). They also use this trick at race tracks.
Another thing to remember is to make sure your bridle paths and feathers (pending on discipline of course) are trimmed up nice, along with any muzzle hairs. It looks better and shows attention to detail.

on 6/30/2006 Do you want your horse's mane and tail to sparkle, but they just won't because they are knotted? Laser sheen or Show Sheen is your answer. I tried it on my horse and the knots came right out. You have to work with it a little, but it does come out easier. It does cost some money, but try it and you will love it!

on 3/6/2006 If you are in a hurry to get to a show, but your horse isn't quite in show shape, first try some white baby powder on your horse's white markings. Next, after you oil your saddle and it is finished drying, wipe a quick light rag with water over your saddle or bridle, to loosen the leather so it is easier on your hands. Also, if you haven't used your shoe saddle for a while, about a week before your show or event, place broomsticks through the stirrups and position them how you would if you were in the saddle, and tie the brooms down with a rope, and you will not twist your ankles from a stiff saddle.