Grooming Your Horse

Are you ready for a work out? Grooming your horse is not a task to be taken lightly. The benefits from a proper grooming can make a significant difference in your life as well as your horses. Take the time to groom and you will be rewarded.

Grooming your horse can be and should be a pleasurable activity. Even if you are a groom and are in charge of seven horses, I bet there is at least one in seven you enjoy grooming. When I think back it is usually the ones I did not enjoy grooming that come to mind first.

Perhaps at the time had I known more, I would have had a completely different experience. Firstly where I grew up no one had heard of cross tying a horse. There I was at the mercy of a mouth on one end, hooves and a swishing tail on the other.

The job took far longer to do, especially with using avoidance tactics, having to have eyes in the back of my head to watch the ears and creeping muzzle. Those were the days before I was introduced to tying a horse up.

Cross Ties allow you to attach a lead to each side of the halter therefore restricting the movement of the head and keeping your horse in one place. This is truly a very good investment, if you do not have cross ties, get them installed today!

Your have both hands free to work and the task is done so much quicker. You have less cursing time too. Find me a groom that has not yet cursed a horse...

Grooming is a great way to bond with a horse! Every horse has just the right spot where his lip sags and his eyes glaze over and well you know, he just loves being scratched. It could be between the ears, in the mane, under the chin; you groom him and find that spot and you have a friend for life.

There is a basic grooming routine to follow and learning this will make the job easier. Grooming your horse has you up close to inspect him for any injuries that could have occurred in the stable or field and it prevents injuries too.

Grooming your horse before tacking him up, even a quick gloss over with a brush will prevent injuries. Dirt can rub up against the saddle pad, cause chaffing and result in a saddle sore. You may not get the saddle back on your horse until that is healed.

It is important to go over all parts of the horse when grooming. Start at the head and end at the tail, yes you include his hooves. Especially his hooves pick up each one and inspect them for any stones that could be lodged and cause a bruised sole. No use kicking yourself after the fact and having a lame horse on your hands.

A good way to get to know your horse is to groom your horse. It feels good, he will look good and you will have a happy, healthier horse.

By Benjamin Wise

Horses.

Get information on buying, owning and caring for your horse, learn about Horse Grooming Tips. Learn about your horses anatomy.

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