The benefits of grooming your horse are undeniable, both for yourself and your four-legged friend. So, what exactly are the benefits of grooming your horse and how can we get the most out of every session?
We look into how grooming can help with;
- health monitoring;
- health maintenance;
- mental health.
Health monitoring
A grooming session is not just about keeping your horse clean, it is also vital in monitoring your horse’s health.
During your grooming sessions, you should be able to complete a full body check. Keep an eye out for wounds, rashes, parasites, newly sensitive areas and swellings. Grooming regularly, you will be able to notice any physical changes to your horse and address them appropriately – whether that’s applying sterile wound care or an anti-parasitic!
Grooming sessions not only boast the opportunity to pick up on noticeable physical problems, the hands-on approach may reveal something hidden to the naked eye. During grooming sessions, running your hand or a brush across the body may highlight areas of pain or sensitivity which need further investigation.
Health Maintenance
Not only can we pick up on health problems, grooming is an essential part of routine to prevent health issues occurring in the first place.
Grooming regularly increasing blood flow to the skins surface, therefore increasing nutrient supply to what is the largest organ of the body. The increase blood flow to the skin can help prevent the development and build-up of dry skin, which is a cause of immense irritation to some. In addition, dry skin is also more prone to cracking and becoming open to infection, so any routine to maintain skin health is a must for horse health!
Grooming also promotes blood flow to large muscle groups. Increased blood flow to muscles can help in relieving tension and therefore promotes comfort! Optimal blood flow to muscles is also essential for good recovery after exercise and can aid in the development of these structures.
Hoof picking is a routine part of grooming and can prevent the occurrence of hoof ailments, such as thrush.Plus, it’s a great opportunity to apply a lick of hoof oil to prevent cracks and chips to the hoof wall!
Mental Health
The horse is a social species which establishes long-term and complex relationships. Therefore, without a language between horse and owner, grooming is one way in which we can communicate effectively toward them.
Showing affection and to build a bond, owner’s grooming sessions must be targeted toward what makes their horse happy. Whether it’s a certain spot, a specific brush or a grooming technique, noticing the signs of when your horse is happy and relating the action can have a huge benefit on the bond you have with your horse.
If your horse is reaping the benefits of turnout, they may be getting some social interaction with their herd mates. However, if they are on their own, a grooming session is the perfect source of comfort!
You may also like to read
Journalist and News Reporter, Everything Horse
Reporting on equestrian news stories, Abby also produces a variety of engaging content for the magazine.