If your child has
already started lessons, or maybe you've even leased or bought your first
horse, you're most likely wondering what to do next. Building your first
essential grooming kit is a great way to learn the basics of interacting and
caring for your new horse. With such a large selection, choosing the tools you
need can be difficult. We'll start you in the right direction, but good luck
deciding on colors!
Need every tool to match? Working on your color coding genius? Want a rainbow of colors at your fingertips? Done.
Over time, your tool
kit will continue to grow, along with your knowledge of horses. But, let's
start with the bare minimum. You'll need a rubber curry, a stiff dandy brush, a
soft body brush, and a hoof pick.
The first, and one of the most essential tools, is the rubber curry. Working the curry through your horse's coat in small circles loosens debris such as dirt, dander, and shedding hair with ease while stimulating circulation in your horse's muscles. Regularly using a rubber curry also promotes natural oil production in the skin, giving your horse a natural, healthy glow.
Next, you'll want to get both a stiff dandy brush and a soft body brush. Dandy brushes are generally used after the rubber curry to remove the heaviest layers of loosened debris. With bristles of synthetic fibers or extremely coarse animal hair, these brushes are great for removing thick mud from the legs and hooves. However, horses with sensitive skin sometimes can't handle the stiffness of a dandy brush. In this case, simply substitute the stiff brush for what's called a medium brush, which is a good mix between the stiff dandy and soft body brushes. The soft body brush is sometimes referred to as a finishing brush, as it is typically the last brush used while grooming. With soft, super fine bristles, the body brush is good for catching the few remaining particles of dust and dirt in your horse's coat, resulting in a smoother and more natural shine.
Proper hoof care is
extremely important to the overall well-being of your horse, which is why the
most essential tool in your kit is the hoof pick. It's necessary for removing
mud and dirt, manure, stones, and other debris from your horse's hooves, in turn
helping prevent lameness and infections. Hoof picks that include a small, stiff
brush on the back side are also useful for quickly and easily flicking away
loose dirt. Thoroughly cleaning each hoof will also give you the chance to
inspect them for early signs of injury or damage.
Now that you have a
good idea of the necessary tools, we do have a few more recommendations for
you. It's a good idea to include a Mane & Tail Comb, Face Brush, and
Shedding Tool, as well as a small towel or sponge for the finishing touches.
The traditional shedding tool will be extremely useful during shedding season
for removing extra hair, mud, and dirt, while the smooth side of it doubles as
a sweat scrapper during bath time. Depending on your child's age, the metal
shedding tool might not be quite what you're looking for. For those cases, the
Shedding Flower tool is a fun, child-safe alternative. Now, to get that flowy
mane and tail under control, your best bet is a Mane & Tail Comb, which is
a simple plastic, or sometimes metal, wide-toothed comb. It's perfect for
untangling your horse's wild hair while removing dirt and debris. Some
manufacturers even created mane and tail brushes, similar to human hairbrushes,
making them more comfortable to hold and the task easier to complete. Lastly,
you'll want to use a face brush, which is a smaller version of the body brush.
This brush is generally quite soft and helpful for gently removing fine dust
and dirt from your horse's face and area surrounding the eyes. While these
tools aren't the be-all and end-all of grooming, your horse will feel clean and healthy,
and will certainly thank you later.
Remember, most
manufacturers make these tools to fit both adult and smaller children's hands.
However, now that you're loaded down and ready to pamper your horse, you'll need
something to carry your tools from place to place. Even with so many options,
the most common carrying cases remain the hard plastic grooming tote and the
fabric grooming tote. No matter which one you choose, there will be plenty of
storage space for your tools, with room to spare. Both types are also extremely
easy to clean, making them ideal for the stable environment. You certainly are
not limited though, so feel free to use your creativity in finding what works
for you or your child.
