[bay_blnd jmpr07]

I will be te first to admit I never fully brush Fiona...I'll give her a good brushing before a ride when she's really muddy, but other times I just take a brush and quikly brush the saddle and girth area. She isn't brushed any other time...

Granted she isn't one to get dirty. And she does get a bath the day before shows/a real good brushing...

Except this past weekend she went to the show with mud caked on her rump, shoulders and back...good 'ol hard brush and soft brush did the trick with some show shine.

But I don't get it...I barely groom her and this is what I get...LOL

(we took 3rd in halter)

[Cavalier]

Your horse is shiny because she is healthy. Health comes from the inside and shows on the outside. Good nutrition, worming, exercise etc all contribute to a healthy horse.

I give all my horses a really good groom before a ride - pick out feet, then curry comb body and then use body brush, brush the face, clean eyes etc, then dandy brush on the legs.

After work I either hose them if they're sweaty, in cool weather I sponge them down with warm water, or if they don't work up much of a sweat then i'll just brush them with a body brush.

Most of my horses get worked at least a few days a week, but if not, I still try and groom at least twice a week. Its a great opportunity to check for any cuts, swelling, heat etc, anything abnormal basically.

Its just good to remove dirt and dust, burs etc, most horses enjoy it, and it is good for their coat...its also thought to improve circulation.

So yes, i'm all for grooming, but really should do it every day.

[Blistering Winds]

i don't do the full..head to toe...remove every speck of dust and dirt off my horse.

For one, the dirt makes an excellent sun block....for two.....mosquito and fly block. At least a physical barrier.

But I do give a good brushing at least once a week, especially on the saddle area.

[shell]

You might have placed first if she had been groomed properly before the show.

[JBandRio]

Yep, good health makes for a shiny horse

[bay_blnd jmpr07]

Originally Posted by shell

You might have placed first if she had been groomed properly before the show.

There wasn't a speck of dirt left on her except for her sock once I was done.

I couldn't do anything Saturday because I had a 1200lbs horse fall on my leg as I got smashed into some rocks. Which is also why her forelock was the only thing braided.

And I was pretty proud, our first halter class we took 6th, we jumped up pretty quick I think.

[BarebackJourney]

It may sound weird, but the dirtier the horse is, the shinier they can get! The less a horse is groomed/bathed, the more oils come out in their coat and the shinier they can be. It's like with people... ever see guys with long, greasy hair? It's because they don't wash it. And it may be gross, but all that greasiness is oils coming out because the hair is healthy! Weird... but true!

[just_ride]

You have a pretty horse. I also agree that a healthy horse on the inside, looks great on the outside.

[bay_blnd jmpr07]

I made this thread as a bit of a joke, but now it's got me wondering...So what's up with the "elbow grease" line then?

[bay_blnd jmpr07]

And just another note...that dark horse in the back(handler's in pink) is the 2 year old mare I've been interested since last show. She placed once place before us last time, but this time she was 2 down from us...My mom and I approached the owner again and asked if she was still for sale...but she's not She is a gorgeous mare, and big. Registered with a WB registry or two and registered Pinto I think...