Horses are some of the most beautiful creatures to walk the face of the earth; but as pets, they require lots of maintenance and attention. Simple feeding and brushing is not enough for these animals and if you ask any horse owner or veterinarian, they will tell you that you need a great deal of patience to take care of these pets. The following are 7 tips for grooming your horse and keeping your horse happy and healthy.

Cleaning the hooves of your horse is one of your main duties. Hoof picks are inexpensive and these should always be a tool that you have on hand. You can routinely check the hooves of a horse every day and use this to dislodge any small pebbles or other debris that is found. These types of things can ruin the hooves and feet of these animals. If you do not clean the hooves regularly it can create a painful situation for your horse, and you run the risk of the animal going lame or becoming victim to infections.

Just like you would wash your face after an intense workout, you should wash your horse’s face after a ride or any other rigorous exercise. This will help prevent unnecessary hair loss and infections that can occur due to fungal infections. Sweat and moisture can ruin the coat of your horse. Often times, it is the case that the face of the horse if forgotten. Use a squeegee that is made especially for horse to wash your horse’s face. This is a comfortable material for your horse and does a great job at cleaning. Using the squeegee can also help to avoid getting rid of hair from your horse’s face.

Use a sponge to clean different areas on your horse. Keep these separate and do not use the same sponge on the dock that is used for the face. If you remember to keep the sponges separated you will prevent cross contamination of bacteria and other microbes from one area to another.

A horse’s tail is a lot like a girl’s ponytail and should be washed, conditioned, and detangled weekly. Brushing should occur daily if possible in addition to the weekly tasks listed above. If you would like, you may utilize a tail bag to keep the tail protected and detangled, but you must be sure to tie the bag below the horse’s tail bone. If you manage the tail on a daily basis, you will prevent snarls and sores from developing and you will also have a happier horse.

If your horse has a coat that is a darker shade, it is important to keep your horse out of the bright sun when he’s not participating in activities. Therefore, you must provide some much needed shade. This will help to prevent their coat from fading or changing colors. Also, after a sweat ride or exercise activity, you should rinse your horse off with water before sending him out into the sun again. The salt in the sweat could increase the rate of the fading process. However, a simple rinsing could prevent this from happening.

Don’t forget that over bathing your horse can be just as bad as not bathing him at all. So do not over shampoo or wash your horse; you can create a dull look for his coat. You should at most be bathing your horse once a week with shampoos and soaps.

Use a coat polishing spray after bathing your horse. If you use one of these products, it will not only create an incredible shine, but will prevent dust from adhering and building up on the hairs. Less dust means a healthy coat and decreases the chances of skin infections and allergies.

Using these 7 simple horse grooming tips will make your horse happier and healthier, while improving his appearance.

Tags: Horses