For a grass kept pony there is much less need for a huge array of horse grooming supplies.
We have listed the basic items that you need day to day and recommended a few of our favourite products to guarantee great results!
If your horse is stabled rather than turned out at grass, you will still need to follow the steps below but will require a few extra items in your grooming kit.
Let's look at the horse grooming supplies you will need for a grass kept pony and how to use them:-
Dandy Brush - this is used for removing mud and dirt from the body area and legs. The dandy brush has stiff bristles and therefore is too rough to be used on the face, mane or tail. Work the brush in short rhythmic downward strokes, repeating over the same area until the mud or dirt comes loose
Rubber or Plastic Curry Comb - this is also good for removing stubborn mud and dirt, or loose hair when the horse is changing coats. The rubber or plastic curry comb collects dirt best when it is used as a massaging pad - i.e. moving in small circles until the dirt comes to the surface of the coat.
Tap the curry comb against your boot or the fence when it becomes full of dirt otherwise you will massage it back into the horse's coat.
Use the rubber or plastic curry comb on your horse's body or upper legs but not on the mane or tail as they will tear the hair. Use them gently on sensitive areas such as under the belly which can be uncomfortable for ticklish horses.
Don't, whatever you do, mix up the rubber/plastic curry comb with a metal curry comb. Why not?
A Metal Curry Comb should NEVER be used on the horse. It serves only to clean your body brush.
To use the metal curry comb hold in the opposite hand to your body brush. Run the body brush over the teeth of the comb every few strokes to remove the dirt picked up from the horse.
Body Brush - on a grass kept pony this should only be used to de-tangle the mane and tail and gently brush any mud from the face. It is a soft wide brush with shorter bristles and therefore will not tear the hair or irritate more sensitive areas. The body brush has greater use when
Grooming a Stabled Horse
Hoof Pick - this is a nifty little gadget for cleaning the hooves which should form part of your horse grooming supplies without exception. Some have a stiff brush on the other end which can be used to brush away the bottom of the hooves after you have picked them out.
Grasp the hoof pick in your hand with the point facing away from you.
Stand close to the horse when picking out the feet as you are less likely to get the full impact of any unintentional or intended kick.
Face the back of the horse next to the leg you intend to pick up and run your other hand firmly down the leg until the horse picks up his foot. There is no need to lift the foot high off the ground. About 12 inches (or a foot - no pun intended!) is fine.
If he is not helping you, lean your shoulder into his body and nudge him slightly to transfer his weight to the opposite side.
Use the point of the hoof pick to clear out any dirt from the horse's foot by flicking your wrist backwards and forwards towards the ground. You may want to watch someone more experienced to ensure you master the technique correctly.
The hoof pick is sharp so take extra care to use only in the direction from the heel to the toe. This prevents injury to the sensitive v-shaped "frog" on each foot.
Clean out the points of the heel next to the frog (one each side) and ensure there are no stones or grit left which can work their way up inside the foot causing lameness.
If your horse wears shoes check to see if they are loose or have lost any nails. This is particularly relevant if your horse is turned out on boggy ground which acts like a suction pump and can easily pull off shoes.
Sponges - essential among your horse grooming supplies should be two sponges. These are important for maintaining good horse hygiene.
Ideally, have two different colours so they don't get mixed up. Dampen the first sponge and use it to clean gently around the eyes,nostrils and mouth. Look for any unusual discharges from either the eyes or nose or sores around the mouth which will need attention.
Take care in cold weather when cleaning with a damp sponge to dab the sponged areas dry afterwards with a clean soft cloth - otherwise the water may freeze on your horse's skin.
The second sponge (also dampened) is used for cleaning round the dock area (under your horse's tail), sheath or udder. When cleaning the dock stand closely to one side of your horse and hold (not pull) the tail away from his quarters. Some horses take exception to being sponged around the dock so take it slowly and gently.
As you are cleaning the dock, check to see if there are any signs of rubbing (where the horse may be relieving an itch against a post) or that the horse has looser motions than normal evidenced by staining on his hocks.
Fly Spray - You should always keep this among your horse grooming supplies. In warm weather finish off your grooming session by spraying a fine mist of fly spray over your horse and under his belly to keep flies away.
Do not spray on his face - if he is troubled by flies around the eye area you might want to buy or make a simple fly fringe. In basic terms this is several lengths of string about 8 inches long which are suspended from a browband and attached to the headcollar. This will keep your horse more comfortable and reduce head-shaking in hot weather.
Tidying Up Your Horse Grooming Supplies
Collect up your horse grooming supplies while the horse is tied up so there is no risk of him stepping on any of your equipment and injuring himself.
It may sound obvious, but if you are in a rush to get the horse back in his field you may overlook a hoof pick left lying on the ground which could potentially injure your horse's feet.
And Don't Forget To...
End every grooming session by rewarding your horse with a big rub on the neck and a treat (if desired) for standing still while being groomed.
Also face the fact that he may roll as soon as you return him to his field!
While this is a bit devastating for you in terms of the time and effort you have spent grooming him, be consoled by the fact that he has a sense of humour too!
Use the rubber or plastic curry comb on your horse's body or upper legs but not on the mane or tail as they will tear the hair. Use them gently on sensitive areas such as under the belly which can be uncomfortable for ticklish horses.
Ideally, have two different colours so they don't get mixed up. Dampen the first sponge and use it to clean gently around the eyes,nostrils and mouth. Look for any unusual discharges from either the eyes or nose or sores around the mouth which will need attention.
