[Sonador]

Hi again!
I was wondering if anyone had any grooming tips. I don't really care what they are, just aside from 'brush their body with a curry comb when their muddy,' You know.
Thanks
Charity

[Kiraral]

If they're sweaty brush their hair the opposite way with a hard brush to help it dry faster and then you can groom them after. I dunno if you mean for shows or just riding around, but if it's for shows you can put flour/cornstarch/baby powder on white markings. Finger comb tails rather than brushing as often as you can to avoid accidently shortening them. Umm..I'll post more as I think of them.

[Sonador]

Thanks!
I don't even have a horse, but I'm trying to gather ALL the information possible before I do!
I probibly won't show, but I want my horse to be pretty all the time!! lol

Charity

[Kiraral]

giving them something to help theier coat sine is good too. Flaz seeds, BOSS, corn oil, etc. My boy gets 1 cup and a half of corn oil a day and he's shiny even beofre I groom him!

[BluEyedCowgurl]

Hmmm....grooming tips, well, if you want a shiny coat, I would say go for the corn oil. I use it, and it truly does wonders for a coat.
I always have little sponges around to use for various things. My hair has a whole lotta white, and to get out some of the green spots without a bath I use the cowboy magic green spot remover and I'll use a sponge to rub it in a bit, and then I'll buff it out with a washcloth. I buy a big pack of those cheap washcloths from Walmart and I use them for everything! If Destiny is dusty, I'll spritz one with a bit of water and just run it quickly over her coat and remove the surface dust. Also, they work great when wetted down and then used to clean out those nostrils when they get all snotty....also works of course with eye goobers.
I also use three different brushes- I use a metal curry, then a stiff bristle, and then a finishing brush with the really soft bristles. I don't remember if that is the exact order they're supposed to be used in, but it's the order I use them in, and it really works at getting any ickies out of Desty's coat.
If you want a long tail just finger comb as already mentioned....I tend to use a detangler like mane and tail as well to help it from tangling a much.
Other than that, brush away! I love brushing my horse....it's really relaxing. Except this time of year when she's shedding....then it just makes me itch all over lol.

[Reece's Peices]

My horse is field boarded so he gets dirty. use warm water on a towl to massage into thier hair. it picks up the dust and dandruff, use it to scrub in thier mane and tail as well. REALY SCRUB your horse when they are warm, there pores are open and the hair comes out easily when they are shedding and helps get thier coat clean. Sprits mane and tail with water to tame it temperarily and to remove dust. Keep your brushes clean and hair free, dont want to be putting the dirt back on the horse!! Also, dampen the brush so when you brush the dust sticks to the brush instead of the hair

[Spirited Dougal]

to get the dust off at the end of grooming if there is any i use a baby wipe and run it over him, also to save money i've mixed water to my sprays and they work still the same.

[lamoo]

Here are some things that you should always keep handy around the barn when you have a horse:

- a small bucket. You wouldn't beleive how many uses these things have. You can store things in it when you're not using it, it's really helpful for bathing, or bringing water to your horse, or using as a step stool when turned upside down. Basically the uses are endless.
- baby oil. When your horse comes in with some monster tangles that you can't get out with your fingers or a brush, just squirt this on and work it in, then work the tangles out with your hand or a brush, they will slide right out!
- some type of wound spray. Especially if your horse is boarded outside, he willl always be coming in with some type of little scratch. I prefer the sprays, like in aeresol cans, because you don't have to get your hands dirty to use them.
- a cloth or rag. You can use these for anything, wiping the horse down, cleaning something, anything! They're great to have around.

[AQHA Hunter]

During the summer, it's easier to keep a horse clean by washing them down quickly with diluted shampoo, rather than trying to brush out the sweat stains. Before riding, just pick out the feet and do a quick brush down. Then afterwards, a quick bath. Let the horse graze in the shade until they're dry, so the coat doesn't get as sunburned.

Don't brush the tail. Just wash it every few weeks, apply Cowboy Magic, and pick out all the tangles with your fingers. Make sure the dock doesn't get dry, because the horse will rub the top of its tail out.

Keep clippers in your grooming kit and keep your horse touched-up so clipping is never a big job (and your horse is used to it).

A good diet is the best way to a shiny coat!

[JKetsche]

Whenever you shampoo a horse or even rinse with liniment or whatever, add a dollop of conditioner to the water or follow up a shampoo bath with conditioner. That way you're not stripping the hair of its oils.