Grooming Your Horses: Brushes, Combs & Hoof Picks
Grooming your horse is enjoyable and presents the opportunity for bonding horse and owner. Additionally, grooming is a great time to check your horse over for any injuries or abnormalities. Always groom before riding so any dirt trapped under the saddle won’t irritate your horse during the ride.
Start by cleaning the hooves. Using a hoof pick, pry out any dirt or manure that has become stuck in the frog or sole of the hoof. Check out the ultimate hoof pick here. A rubberized handle will improve your grip. Additionally, a larger pick angle makes cleaning packed hooves easier.
The oster collection has everything you need to groom your horse.
Next you will use your curry comb or grooming mitt to loosen up the dirt. Pay attention to your horse’s reaction to grooming, and make sure you are not brushing too vigorously. The Oster Course Curry Comb has been designed to fit in your hand easily, and reduce fatigue encountered while grooming. It is very durable and can be stepped on, soaked, or otherwise abused and still be ready to groom when you need it!
The Oster Curry Comb is a popular choice.
Use a mane comb or brush to rid the mane and tail from any tangles. The Solocomb mane comb allows you to attain the look of a traditionally pulled mane without pulling! It has an integrated clipping blade to cut away unwanted hair. It also works on whiskers. The closer you clip to the roots, the thinner the mane will be. If you are looking for a non-traditional grooming option, the Solocomb may be right for you.
Use the Solocomb if you hate pulling manes.
The body brush is used to whisk away dirt that was loosened via the curry comb. The Flex Body Brush has a flexible back that will feel similar to using a grooming mitt. Check it out here.
The Flex Body Brush will feel like a grooming mitt.
Follow up with the finishing brush to perfect your horse’s coat. Oster has a great finishing brush with rubber control touch handle for a better grip while grooming. The densely packed soft hog-hair bristles in this brush help to distribute oils for a beautiful shine.
The Oster finishing brush has densely packed bristles to help distribute oils.
If you are just starting out and are looking for several or all of the tool above, you might want to check out the Oster Equine Care Series Collection 7 Piece Grooming Kit. The kit includes a course curry comb, soft finishing brush, stiff grooming brush, mane & tail brush, hoof pick, and main and tail comb, all in a nylon carrying case with shoulder strap. The set is available in blue/gray or hot pink. All tools have ergonomic, non-slip handles.
The oster collection has everything you need to groom your horse.
