Horses are some of the most fragile and sensitive animals on the planet which is why the owners of these animals have to pay much attention to their maintenance. Horses have to be periodically groomed in order for their skin and hair to be clean and healthy. If you haven’t had the opportunity to groom a horse before, the following advices might turn out helpful.
You need to accustom your horse with the practice of grooming from an early age; otherwise, it will be very difficult for you to take care of him as the horse may get scared or even violent. There is no need to hurry your horse to get used to grooming; take one step at a time and show him that you are his friend by caressing him and giving him treats. After a while, you will be able to brush your horse’s entire body without getting him scared.
The materials you use have to be very qualitative which is why you need to purchase them from specialized stores. If you use low quality materials, you will not obtain the same results and your horse’s mane, tail and skin might get injured. The utensils that you will need are: a sponge, a grooming mitt, a comb, a brush and a hoof pick.
You start by applying the special shampoo on your horse’s back with the help of the sponge. Afterward, you gently massage him with the grooming mitt in order to remove any dead hair and let new ones grow.
The mane and the tail have to be given extra attention because the hair is longer in these areas of the body and they get stuffed with dirt. Once you have soaked the mane and the tail with water, you need to detangle the tresses with the help of a wide tooth comb. Don’t be afraid to use the scissors and cut the hair that is too tangled. After the mane and the tail are perfectly clean and combed, you may braid them, so they would remain clean.
With the help of the hoof pick you will clean the feet of the horse from any dust or pebbles that usually gather there. To finish your work, use the brush to rearrange the hair on the back of the horse and then, cover him with a rug in order to keep him warm and safe.
If you care about the health of your horse, you will do your best to groom him once a week and you will keep him covered with horse rugs most of the times. The great love that these animals give in return is worth every effort you make to take care of them.
