How to Put Together a Horse Grooming Kit

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By derbyka
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Assembling a grooming kit

Grooming can be one of the most relaxing and satisfying experiences of owning a horse. It can also be one of the most frustrating. Putting together a horse grooming kit can help. Whether you are leasing or owning a horse for the first time and need to begin your own horse grooming kit or you have owned a horse for awhile and are trying to sort through odds and ends, consult this list of useful items.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

container or tote
curry comb
hoof pick
shedding blade or mud brush
stone shedding block
dandy brush
body brush
soft cloth
detangler
bristle brush or wide toothed comb

Step 1

Label a box or tote for your grooming kit

Start by finding or buying something in which to keep your horse grooming kit. A brush tote can be useful but is often a little small. You might also consider a small/medium sized Rubbermaid container that latches tight. Write your name and/or your horse's name is large letters with a permanent marker since horse grooming items are prone to going "missing."
Step 2

A curry comb is a staple for any grooming kit

One of the staples of your grooming kit should be a curry comb for loosening dirt and dead coat hairs. Make sure to replace it as the rubber nubs get worn down. You might also want to include a finer toothed "curry mitt" for faces or quick jobs.
Step 3

Next, stock your grooming kit with a more intensive tools for cleaning a muddy or shedding horse. If you know how to use one carefully and your horse tolerates them, you will want a shedding blade that has metal teeth on one side. A very stiff nylon mud brush is also useful when grooming a very dirty horse. Look for a small, short bristled one that has the ends of the bristles smashed. These are softer to the touch and are invaluable for getting mud off of delicate areas such as faces and legs. A rectangular stone block that is rough to the touch can be stocked in grooming kit for the more sensitive horse.
Step 4

Dandy brush

You will also need a dandy brush for your grooming kit. These have longer, softer bristles for flicking the dirt and hair out of the coat and are a definite necessity for any grooming kit. Splurge if you can and get one that is made out of hair instead of nylon and these work much better and you will have it for a long time.
Step 5

Body brush

You might also want to include a body brush (with shorter bristles) which can be used after the dandy brush to help smooth down the coat.
Step 6

Another necessity is a good hoof pick with a brush on it for cleaning out your horse's hooves daily. Depending on the state of your horse's hooves (consult your vet, farrier, or knowledgeable tack salesperson), you might also want to put in a hoof conditioner or hoof hardener (these have different functions). Furthermore, if you show your horse, include a hoof polish in the grooming kit.
Step 7

Pulling comb

For your horse's mane and tail, you will want a small, metal mane pulling comb to keep it the right length and a rounded bristle brush or wide toothed comb to use sparingly when grooming. If your horse's mane and tail is prone to tangles, consider putting a detangler in your grooming kit so as to avoid pulling out hairs.
Step 8

Finally, soft rags are always useful in a grooming kit. They come in handy for drying a muddy or wet horse and can be used to rub your horse's coat and bring out the shine. Scissors can also be very useful.

How to Put Together a Horse Grooming Kit

Things You'll Need:

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