Grooming kit staples all horse owners love

In this article, we take a look at grooming kit items that no horse owner should go without.

Long-bristled dandy brush

Dandy brushes are a staple item in anyone’s grooming kit. Long-haired, short bristled, wooden back, plastic back; they come in just about all different shapes and sizes. Amazing for so many reasons, the traditional dandy brush is a great way to flick of dust and remove stubborn dirt from the horse’s coat.

Grooming Product – Cottage Craft Horse Groom Flick Brush

Body brush

When the elbow grease is all but done, a brush to add a little extra shine to the horses coat is the final step in most grooming routines. Again there’s plenty of variety, but in particular we really like the  HAAS brush collection.

Grooming Product – HAAS body brush, made from white horsehair

Great for – polishing the coat to leave an excellent shine, to be used after grooming and removal of heavy stains.

For the mane and tail

Grooming Product – Roma Soft Touch Mane and Tail Brush

Great for – thick or think manes and tails with your choice of conditioning spray. Robust bristles for long-term use.

Favourite for smooth coats and tangle free manes/tails

Using a product for tangle free manes and tails doesn’t just make them look great but it also helps minimise snapping and thinning. Most sprays will offer enough coverage for a couple of days, making each day’s brushing a breeze. Just remember not to spray any round the girth area prior to riding.

Trimming

Off out showing? If so you’ll be looking to tidy up any loose ends before you go, however, a full session with a heavy pair of clippers for a quick jawline trim is a little unnecessary not to mention time-consuming. A light pair of trimmers are great for getting into those more difficult places to reach and are often much quieter than a heavier duty pair.

Great for – Show preparation, lightweight leg clipping, trimming jawline and around ears

Hoof care

Hoof care products have received a lot of ‘bad press’ over the past decade due to the waterproof barrier impacting on moisture absorption causing a counterproductive outcome to the hoof wall. However, take heed, companies have listened and have worked hard to counteract this issue, once again building trust and producing products that deliver much needed results.

Grooming Product – Kevin Bacons Liquid Hoof Dressing

Great for – General hoof maintenance, prevents the hoof wall from drying, protects it from the wet, and activates horn growth

Skin care

Grooming Product – Aniwell FiltaBac

Great for – Covering sensitive areas such as the horse’s nose or pink skin

A quick shampoo

Great for – Washing unwanted stains without reaching for the more expensive shampoo you have in for show prep. Also good for lice control.