[dakota's_sable]

I was reading a previous post the other night (the grooming tips one by skeeter) and some people posted that if your horse is turned out in the winter 24/7 you shouldn't groom them too often becuz it will remove a lot of their natural oils that protect them from the elements. My horse, Sable, turned out 24/7 with access to an area in the barn that she can come and go in as she pleases or when the weather is bad. In the winter I like to use grooming as bonding time for us plus she loves it and it relieves work related stress for me.

My question to everyone is: What is good amount of grooming that I can do to make sure I don't strip away any natural oils in her coat and still make sure we still get our bonding and stress relieving time in?

[Morgan 1]

Grooming is a good stress releiver. It is also a good time to check your horse over for things that you might not see right off like cuts. Also a good time to feel for heat in the legs or hooves. I always groom during the winter months at least once a week. If the horse enjoys it why not!

[AutumnAttic]

Hmm. I dont see anything wrong with brushing that much as long as she has shelter. Maybe you could go on walks, or teach her showmanship instead of brushing her all the time.. Or you could practice braiding. Maybe even teach her some tricks

[indiekisses985]

I'd say don't over-do the brushing. A regular brushing would be fine- but if you brush continously- it will shred the natural oils. You can try lounging if you cant ride, braid, talk to your horse, play games with your horse, and all kinda stuff. Walks are also fun, like autumn said.

[sian]

as some of the above says dont over do the grooming, but just dont get carried away. when i was at a riding school all the ponies lived out 24/7 and as people paid to rode them they had to look moderately respectable! we removed all the dry mud but didnt keep on brushing so not to loose the natural oils but as they all wore rugs it waasnt as bad as the rugs could help prevent the affects of the loss of oils

[SkeeterGirl]

hey! glad to see u read that grooming thread lol. you can groom everytime you see ur horsey just make sure you only use a soft brush and don't go too hard....u can massage your horse, and that's just as stress relieving. take your thumbs, and other fingers if u want and to little circles with them. moves slowly down their neck and then body. my horse nearly falls asleep when i do this. some horses take awhile to get used to it tho. i'll just sit in my horses stall and watch him and he likes me being there, or i'll lay on his back(he's the perfect size for that lol). if your horse dusn't mind u leaning on her while she's in the pasture its also a good way to bond cuz she learns to like your company and really want to be with u. hope i could help!