The two essential elements of pony grooming are coat brushing and hoof cleaning. While there's probably no 'correct' or 'wrong' procedure for grooming a horse, you must take care to set up a routine and stick fast to it. The routine must be composed of doing grooming the very same way every single time. You can begin with the feet and go on to the coat, or you can do it around the other way, but you must take care that you commence with the same foot each and every time and go thru the rest of the feet in the same order; or, you should commence with the same point on the coat every time and go thru with the rest of it in the same order. Your pony should be able to precisely envision exactly what you will be doing next.
Before you start, secure your horse in crossties attached to his halter. This way, you make sure that he can not be able to abruptly move and disrupt your activities. His enforced stillness also lets you use both hands freely just for grooming. It won't be possible to do a good job of grooming when your hands are also busy keeping the horse still.
Most horse owners I know like to begin with the hooves. This way, the horse gets to finish off with the harder part first and enjoy the more relaxing part later on. Position yourself correctly next to your horse's left shoulder, a touch ahead of the body. If you're right handed, run your left hand down your horse's leg till it touches the hoof. A horse used to hoof cleaning should instantly pick up that foot in response, but if it doesn't push your and shoulder up against your horse's shoulder till he shifts weigh to the other foot. When he does that you can easily lift the foot you are holding in your left hand and lift it very naturally toward its belly. Hold the hoof firmly and remove all debris lodged in it with the pick. Take great care not to poke into the hoof's frog, the soft and triangle-shaped central area. This is a delicate area. Work the hoof pick away from the frog. Repeat this process with all of the other feet. Every time you finish with a foot, reward your pony for being still and cooperating.
Start your grooming with the mane or the tail. You can or end with them. It's a matter of what is best for you and your type of grooming best. Begin with the curry comb if your pony is muddy or otherwise dirty, or if he is with winter coat. Groom all over the body with gentle, circular motions that go towards hair growth. Go from neck to chest, across the shoulders and the back, over the sides. Finish off by going down the horse's legs. Don't forget that the curry comb isn't flexible, so be sure to go very gentle when using it. If you notice your horse flinching when you use the curry comb, use the dandy brush instead at those delicate points. After you are done with curry combing, follow the same route with your dandy brush; this gets rid of the dust and any dead hair. Complete the job by getting a glossy sleekness with your body brush. This brush can be used on the horse's face, though the eye area should be avoided. Use a soft piece of fabric moistened with clean warm water or a small piece of clean sponge to clean the areas around the horse's eyes and inside his nostrils.
Before you start, secure your horse in crossties attached to his halter. This way, you make sure that he can not be able to abruptly move and disrupt your activities. His enforced stillness also lets you use both hands freely just for grooming. It won't be possible to do a good job of grooming when your hands are also busy keeping the horse still.
Most horse owners I know like to begin with the hooves. This way, the horse gets to finish off with the harder part first and enjoy the more relaxing part later on. Position yourself correctly next to your horse's left shoulder, a touch ahead of the body. If you're right handed, run your left hand down your horse's leg till it touches the hoof. A horse used to hoof cleaning should instantly pick up that foot in response, but if it doesn't push your and shoulder up against your horse's shoulder till he shifts weigh to the other foot. When he does that you can easily lift the foot you are holding in your left hand and lift it very naturally toward its belly. Hold the hoof firmly and remove all debris lodged in it with the pick. Take great care not to poke into the hoof's frog, the soft and triangle-shaped central area. This is a delicate area. Work the hoof pick away from the frog. Repeat this process with all of the other feet. Every time you finish with a foot, reward your pony for being still and cooperating.
Start your grooming with the mane or the tail. You can or end with them. It's a matter of what is best for you and your type of grooming best. Begin with the curry comb if your pony is muddy or otherwise dirty, or if he is with winter coat. Groom all over the body with gentle, circular motions that go towards hair growth. Go from neck to chest, across the shoulders and the back, over the sides. Finish off by going down the horse's legs. Don't forget that the curry comb isn't flexible, so be sure to go very gentle when using it. If you notice your horse flinching when you use the curry comb, use the dandy brush instead at those delicate points. After you are done with curry combing, follow the same route with your dandy brush; this gets rid of the dust and any dead hair. Complete the job by getting a glossy sleekness with your body brush. This brush can be used on the horse's face, though the eye area should be avoided. Use a soft piece of fabric moistened with clean warm water or a small piece of clean sponge to clean the areas around the horse's eyes and inside his nostrils.
About the Author:
Horses are Heather Toms
passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of
articles with other horse lovers visit HorseHorses
passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of
articles with other horse lovers visit HorseHorses
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