How to Groom a Horse the Pony Club Way
Grooming your horse daily is the best way to keep up with your horse's condition. During grooming, you can find any cuts or scrapes your horse has sustained since the day before, as well as more serious injuries that may be in inconspicuous places. You can keep your horse's mane and tail tangle-free, thus promoting a thicker, longer mane and tail. A good currying can help keep your horse's coat shiny and help your horse's blood circulation. The method of grooming taught by the United States Pony Club is especially thorough, and it will truly keep your horse well groomed.
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Things You'll Need
- Rubber curry comb or pimple mitt
- Dandy brush
- Body brush
- Hoof pick
- Hoof brush
- Two sponges
- Mane comb
- Rub rag
- Water brush
Instructions
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Tie or cross-tie your horse so you can groom without your horse moving around too much.
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Pick up your horse's hoof by squeezing in the bottom of the cleft at the bottom of the leg. Use the hoof pick to scrape out mud and rocks from the back of the hoof. Be careful not to dig into the soft, V-shaped tissue in the middle, which is very sensitive.
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Use the brush on your hoof pick, or a stiff-bristled brush designated for hoof cleaning, to brush out loose dirt after all packed dirt is removed. If there is any medication you need to apply to your horse's hoof, now is the time to apply it.
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Rub the curry comb or pimple mitt in a circular motion on your pony's sides from the top of the neck to the horse's hindquarters. The curry comb can also be used on the cheeks and legs above the knees, while you can use the pimple mitt all over your horse's body as long as you are gentle.
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Brush with the dandy (or stiff) brush in the direction of hair growth in short strokes. Try to flick the bristles up at the end of the stroke. The dandy brush can be used on the entire leg, and some horses will allow you to brush the face with the dandy brush.
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Use the body brush in slightly longer strokes in the direction of hair growth. Any time you notice hair or dirt build-up on the body brush, scrape the build-up off with the dandy brush. The body brush polishes the coat, and it's soft enough to use on the entire body.
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Work knots and vegetation out of your horse's mane and tail with your fingers. Spray the mane and tail with a detangling spray before you start to help the knots loosen and slide free.
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Clean the skin at the roots of your horse's mane and tail by parting the hair with the body brush.
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Run the rub rag across the horse's coat, pressing down against the hair as you rub so you spread skin oils. Rub in the direction of the hair growth.
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Clean around your horse's eyes, nostrils and muzzle with a dampened sponge. You can also wipe out the ears, but be careful not to let water drip down the ear. Use your other sponge to wipe the area under your horse's tail and between the hind legs.
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Brush your horse's mane and tail down with the dampened water brush. The water will help train the hairs to lie flat.
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Tips & Warnings
This thorough grooming is best saved for after a ride, as your horse's muscles will be warm. Before your ride, you can give a light currying and brushing just to be sure that no dirt is caked up in areas where your bridle, saddle and girth lay. Also, pick up the hooves to make certain no rocks are stuck in them.
References
- Photo Credit horse and hound brushes image by mark humphreys from Fotolia.com
