Horses are animals that can be rather high maintenance. They need more than just feeding and a casual brushing. If you ask any horse owner or veterinarian they will tell you that not only are horses a lot of work, but all pets are. The upkeep on an animal the size of a horse can be a bit overwhelming if you do not incorporate it into your daily routine. The following are 7 simple tips for grooming your horse, and any horse lover should find them helpful.

It is pertinent that you take care of your feet and in the same hand it is pertinent to take care of your horses feet. Like human feet, dirty hooves can cause all sorts of infections and can even make your horse unable to walk. Therefore, buy an inexpensive hoof pick and use it on a regular basis (everyday) so as to dislodge any pebbles or debris that may be stuck in the crevices of the hoof.

Wash your horse’s face. Humans wash their faces after any rigorous exercise that causes sweat and horses should be treated the same way. Sweat, moisture, and dampness can build up on a horse’s face and cause fungal infection of not removed properly. Many times the horse’s face is forgotten, but this is an awful mistake. Do not use a sweat scraper on your horse, but rather a horse-specific squeegee. These tools are softer and work better with your horse’s face as it ensures that the experience is pleasurable and painless for your horse. Squeegees also help avoid any unnecessary hair loss 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.

Take care of the horses tail by washing, conditioning and detangling it at least once a week. Many people will brush the tail daily in addition to the weekly washing. You can use a tail bag if you want to keep the tail protected, but you must tie this bag below the tailbone of the animal. Frequent maintenance makes this task much more manageable and can prevent snarls and sores from developing in this sensitive area.

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.

Remember, that while bathing your horse is a good grooming practice, you must be careful. If you bathe him too much, you could create a coat that is dull and lacking in luster. You should at most bathe your horse with soap and shampoo once a week.

Coat polishing sprays are great to use on your horse after you’ve given him a bath. When you use coat polishing sprays, your horse’s coat will really shine. Moreover, your horse’s coat will be protected from any dust build up that commonly causes skin infections and allergies.

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

Tags: Horses