How to groom a horse

Being horse insurance specialists, it won’t surprise you to hear that most of us in the SEIB office own horses. So, as a team we have plenty of practice when it comes to getting – and keeping our horses – clean. In this article we’ve collated our top handy hints for how to groom a horse – both day-to-day and in preparation for a big show day. Keeping your horse in top condition Grooming is not a one-off activity but something that must be taken into consideration every day for your horse to look in great shape. On dark, muddy winter nights it can seem an uphill struggle, but just a quick brush over every day will pay off in the long-run. Come the first shows of the season and you will be pleased you put the effort in. Always wash your horse off well after you have ridden him. If there is sweat left in his coat, the hair will have a dull look to it. Ideally give the horse a good wash after he is ridden and then, when he is dry, give him a thorough brush over with a soft brush to make sure his coat is left in good condition. Grooming is not a one-off activity but something that must be taken into consideration every day for your horse to look in great shape. On dark, muddy winter nights it can seem an uphill struggle, but just a quick brush over every day will pay off in the long-run. Come the first shows of the season and you will be pleased you put the effort in. To keep your horse’s tail in top condition – particularly in the muddy winter – washing it regularly and then applying a detangling spray can be a lifesaver. Regular brushing of a muddy and tangled tail can break the hairs and leave the tail looking a bit moth-eaten. A once a week wash and then leaving the tail in between can work wonders. Be patient with mud! Wait until the mud has fully dried on your horse before trying to brush it off. Trying to brush through damp, sticky mud will be unsuccessful. If you really need to get a damp, muddy horse clean quickly then put an old towel in a bucket of hot water, wring it out as much as you can and then give the horse a rub with it and repeat. This will be time consuming, but effective and will mean that you aren’t making a damp muddy horse cold and wet by washing him. Use a stiffer – dandy brush – for getting the mud off your horse, and never on sensitive areas, such as his head. Next, use a softer brush – body brush – for getting the last of the dust out of his coat and for giving his head a good brush. A mane comb, or plastic curry comb can be used with care on the mane and then if you really need to brush the tail, use a brush that is a soft as possible and take great care not to break the delicate hairs. There is nothing more satisfying than giving your horse a thorough brush, oiling his hooves and seeing him standing in the yard absolutely gleaming. Once you have the art of grooming your horse absolutely nailed then you may well be on your way to thinking about entering one of SEIB’s many competitions for amateur riders, such as Search for a Star! About SEIB SEIB have been providing horsebox insurance and insurance for horses for over 50 years. This experience allows us to tailor policies to suit your circumstances and ensure that you and your horses are covered should the worst happen. If you’d like advice on your insurance please call us on 01708 850000.