Horse Grooming Tools for Adults

In most barns you won’t just get on your horse and ride. Most places expect you to groom and tack your horse before you get on. There are a number of different grooming tools and you should know what each does before you use them. Below are some common grooming tools in order of suggested use.

Common Grooming Tools

1. Grooming Tote — A very important object you need for grooming is something to hold your tools in. Most people opt for a grooming tote or box. They primarily come in plastic, but there are some fabric ones as well. Choose whatever fits you.
2. Curry Comb- The first horse grooming implement you will use is the curry comb. It’s a hard rubber circle or over with a strap for you to slide your hand into on one side and raised teeth. The curry is rubbed in a circle and is used to clean off dirt and loose hair. Some horses might be sensitive to the use of the curry.
3. Plastic Curry Comb — Similar to the plain curry comb, this comb is made of plastic with a strap for your hand on one side and hard plastic teeth on the other. Besides loosening hair and dirt, it can help with stimulation of the skin and muscles.
4. Shedding Blade — This tool is used to help loosen hair, particularly during shedding season. There are a few designs, but most often there is a wooden handle with a circular or over metal piece with teeth to loosen the hair. Avoid sensitive areas the face and legs.
5. Hard Brush (Dandy) — Like the name sounds like, this brush has hard bristles. It removes whatever the curry comb loosens up including hair from shedding and dirt. The brush is always moved in the same direction of the hair. Watch for areas that the hair might change directions and don’t brush too hard. Avoid using this brush on the face. The hardness of the brush can be too irritating for some horses in other areas as well.
6. Medium Brush — A slightly softer alternative to the hard brush is the medium brush. It can be used on horses that are sensitive to the hard brush.
7. Soft Brush — The bristles on this brush are softer. They remove the rest of the dirt and can create a shine to the coat. It can be used on the face if used carefully.
8. Mane and Tail Comb — The next tool you might use is the mane and tail comb. As the name suggests, this comb is designed to remove tangles from the mane and tail. Use of sprays made for the mane and tail can make your job easier and gentler on the horse.
9. Pulling Comb — Whether for certain sports such as jumping disciplines and dressage, the mane is require shortened and thinned manes. The pulling comb can aid in this process. They often have a wood handle and feature a comb with small tines.
10. Hoof pick — This tool has a handle with a metal pick on one side and often a stiff brush on the other. The pick side digs in to remove dirt, manure, mud, or whatever gets stuck in the hoof. The brush side can help sweep away anything loosened by the pick.
11. Shampoos — There are a variety of shampoos out there that do various things. Commonly they help remove dirt and create a shinier coat and mane and tail. Some may aid in removing tangles from the mane and tail.
12. Sweat Scraper — Sweat scrapers aid in a horse’s coat drying by removing excess water from the coat whether sweat or from other sources such as a bath. They come in two primary types: A plastic or metal stick that is all in one piece and has an edge that scrapes across the coat and pushes off water. The other consists of a wooden handle with a curved piece of rubber that does the same thing.

These are just a few of the tools used in caring for a horse. Familiarizing yourself with them can help you make sure you’re using them properly. You should have your riding instructor demonstrate how to use each tool.

I could be reached at Rider For Life and @animalsareverywild on Twitter.