How to groom your horse thoroughly

Published on 19/10/2024

Looking after your horse every day is essential for their wellbeing, health and hygiene. A thorough groom before and after work keeps your horse clean, and it also lets you check for cuts, skin problems or a lost shoe.

It is also a great opportunity to build a bond with your horse.

Sellerie GZ has put together a guide to every step of a full grooming routine, using quality products for your horse's wellbeing.

The steps of a complete groom ✅

For the best results, groom outside so that dirt and dust don't settle back on your horse.

For maximum safety, we also recommend cross-tying your horse, with both sides of the headcollar attached to suitable posts.

• NORTON anti-fox tie-up lead rope
• NORTON chain/rubber lead rope

1. Looking after your horse's feet

Start by picking out the feet. This removes any dirt packed into the sole and frog, lets you check the general condition of the hooves and, if your horse is shod, confirms that the shoes are still in place.

A hoof pick with a built-in brush is very handy, as it also cleans the frog, which is a very sensitive part of the hoof.

• PENELOPE ball hoof pick
• HIPPOTONIC glossy hoof pick

Next, we recommend brushing the hoof wall for spotless feet.

• BORSTIQ Icelandic hoof brush

After work, apply a hoof care product such as a hoof oil or hoof grease. It moisturises and nourishes the hooves deeply, helping to keep the horn, wall, sole and frog strong.

• RAVENE Pediflex multi-purpose fluid oil
• MAGIC BRUSH hoof grease
• HIPPOTONIC hoof oil brush with pot

2. Brushing your horse

The curry comb

A curry comb works deep into the coat to loosen dirt, dust and mud. Use it in circular movements on the fleshy, muscular parts of the body, avoiding the head and legs.

There are several types: metal, rubber and plastic curry combs. Choose according to your needs and how sensitive your horse is.

• BORSTIQ square metal curry comb
• HIPPOTONIC antimicrobial curry comb
• HIPPOTONIC crazy Finnish curry comb

The dandy brush

The dandy brush has stiff bristles and sweeps away the dust and dirt brought up by the curry comb. Use it in the direction of the hair all over the body.

• BORSTIQ unionmix brush
• HIPPOTONIC soft dandy brush

The soft brush

A soft brush is essential for removing the last traces of dirt from the surface of the coat, and for polishing it to a shine ✨

• BORSTIQ Goathair soft brush
• BORSTIQ soft brush

Cleaning your horse's head

To clean the head, use a small brush that is easy to handle and gentle enough for sensitive areas such as the ears and around the eyes.

• BORSTIQ face brush

Then clean the eyes and nostrils with suitable cleaning wipes that are kind to your horse's skin.

• Ravene cleaning wipes

Brushing the mane and tail

Look after the mane and tail daily to prevent tangles, which lead to hair loss.

To untangle the mane, apply a detangler first so that the hair can be worked through gently.

• Showsheen shine detangler
• RAVENE Easy Shine detangler
• Du Maréchal detangler

Then use a mane brush to brush the mane gently, starting at the ends and working up towards the roots to avoid breaking the hair.

• HIPPOTONIC Soft mane brush
• BORSTIQ mane and tail brush

For a long, supple mane, you can apply a daily treatment to stimulate hair growth and get a glossy result.

• EQUINATURA mane tonic lotion
• EFFOL mane and tail lotion

Adding shine

To make your horse's coat gleam, use a grooming mitt or a suitable shine product.

• PENELOPE grooming mitt
• EQUISTAR coat, mane and tail shine

3. Protection against insects

Finally, to protect your horse from insects, spray an insect repellent directly onto the coat on a regular basis. It gives long-lasting protection against insects:

• ULTRA SHIELD insect repellent
• TRI-TEC insect repellent

Need somewhere to store your grooming kit?

• HIPPOTONIC Koala grooming box
• LAMI-CELL Vénus folding grooming bag

We hope this article helps you put together a full grooming routine for your horses. Try out these tips and feel free to share your own experience.