Having worked with plenty of horses, all with different personalities, and sensitivities towards grooming, I can say this with confidence: having a complete basic grooming kit that is put together with care and attention will make grooming sessions so much easier. Having the right tools on hand makes the experience less stressful and turns grooming into an opportunity through which you and your horse can bond.
Although, you may have the urge to buy fancy tools and gadgets for your grooming kit, a small collection of brushes and combs are all that is necessary to keep your horse clean, well groomed, and healthy. Each brush or comb in the kit should serve a different purpose. For a basic kit, I suggest you stay away from the lure of pricey horse grooming gadgets.
Here is a list of the essentials every expert suggests that you must have in your horse grooming kit:
Body brush
A body brush is an absolute essential in every horse grooming kit. It is a versatile soft bristled brush that is used to remove grease, dirt, and dust from the coat. A body brush with soft bristles can be used on sensitive areas including the head.
Dandy brush
Besides the soft bristled body brush you will also require a brush with long stiff bristles in your kit. This type of brush is used to remove dry surface dirt off the coat. Due to the stiff nature of a dandy brush, it should not be used on the sensitive parts of the horse’s body.
Water brush
The water brush is another brush with stiff bristles designed for the purpose of applying water to the horse’s coat, mane or tail. Many people use their dandy brush as a water brush, however, most experts agree that it is best to have a separate water brush with synthetic bristles.
Mane and tail brush
Another important brush in the equine grooming kit is one to brush through the horse’s mane and tail to easily remove knots and tangles. A good quality mane and tail brush minimizes breakage and allows you to brush through quickly.
Metal and rubber curry combs
A rubber curry comb should be used at the start of grooming to remove the majority of mud and loose hair from the horse before following with the dandy brush for stubborn grime. In late winter/early spring you should start with a metal curry comb to remove unwanted winter coat from the horse.
Mane comb
The best quality and durable mane combs are usually made of metal, and their purpose is to comb the mane and tail of the horse. Experts suggest using mane combs for pulling manes, and to comb sections of manes that you plan on plaiting, but a mane comb is also great for daily maintenance.
Hoof pick
Another essential in the equine grooming kit, hoof picks are used to remove dirt and stones packed into the underside of the horse’s hooves. Hoof picks are usually made out of plastic or metal. Hoof picks with a brush on the other end are also a great choice.
Sponges
No grooming kit is complete without a selection of sponges. This versatile tool can be used for cleaning eyes, nose and dock area during washing, as well as for cleaning wounds. You can also use a sponge for fine dust removal, making it an absolute essential. A sponge can be used to groom the sensitive areas of the horse.
Sweat scraper
Used to remove access water after washing or sweat from the horse, a sweat scraper consists of a handle and rubber edges on an arched head, known as the half-moon sweat scrapper. Variants made out of metal and plastic are easily available.
Grooming kit bag
Organization is the key to an enjoyable grooming session. Having each tool readily accessible allows you to move from one stage to the next efficiently and with confidence. This saves time and makes the whole experience more relaxed for both you and your horse.
Invest in a durable kit bag with enough space to keep each tool organized so that you can reach for it easily. You never want to take attention away from the horse while you dig though your kit bag looking for the right brush or comb, especially when the horse is young or unfamiliar to you.
There is a wide variety of choice of grooming kit bags or boxes, so you are sure to find something that fits your needs.
Grooming is not just about making the horse clean and looking good, it is an important opportunity to get to know the horse and to learn its personality. You should also be using this time to check the animal for early signs of injury or discomfort. Investing in good quality durable combs and brushes will make this easier and more gratifying, and most importantly, it will minimize danger and stress.
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thank you
I would love to win
Very helpful n informative especially for a beginner. Thanks
Love all the products for the horses!
Very good list of much needed items..thank you
Very useful information. Thank you.
Excellent list for the newbie rider.
Love these products. thanks
Those are some good idea’s!
thnx a lot worth reading
Great post on basic items to have. I love brushing horses!
this is a great idea
Good
Lot of work taking care of a horse.
This stuff looks awesome, I want to try it
Nice
Great information
love the information ty
Interesting. Didn’t know you needed a separate water brush.
Very comprehensive & helpful list.
This is an interesting list! I never knew there was such a thing as a sweat scraper!
I am glad to learn about these products. A few of them will help so much.
Nice
You definitely need the correct tools to take care of a pet/companion-and KNOW HOW to use them. Taking proper care of such is part of the ownership!
Good ideas
Thanks for the giveaway!
AWESOME !
What great info an very usefull
Nice
awesome stuff
This sounds like the ideal kit for grooming your horse. Everything has a purpose, better to not use one or two grooming items, get all of them.
Well I don’t have a horse and probably won’t get one. I am getting up in age .But you did give an informative needs. Thank you
Great info thank you for the product
I need a horse
Great products for horse care
Awesome
Who knew they needed so many different brushes and combs and stuff.
Thank you, these products would go to good use with my 4 boys. Good luck everyone.
This kit sounds amazing for grooming your horse!
nice
I never knew you needed so much to care for a horse
Very informative! I love horses and know how important grooming is !
What horse wouldn’t feel and look amazing after being able to use this kit! Incredible.
Got all these thing already have 43 horses just seeing peoples ideas
Thank you for the information
Great kit
Great information for beginners and a great reminder for those of us who have been around for awhile. Always good to be reminded of the basics.
What awesome products. I need the water brush.
Thank you for all this useful information. I shall be prepared.
Thank you for these great ideas
Very informative. That’s a lot of work, and takes a lot of patience.
This is such a great, thorough guide.
Great information!
This looks great. I will let my aunt know about this as she keeps horses.
Very useful article, especially for beginners who just got a horse.
I remember I had 2 full grooming kits before I got my horse. Came in handy when a girl got a pony and didn’t have a brush to her name. But great starter kit for anyone just starting out.
Awesome tips
my horses would love this!!
Wow, very informative
Great information!
Thank you for the information.
Looks great
These products look awesome and great quality
Nice products
I think I need some of this for my dog. We live in a rural area and he gets dirty running around all over the place.
Great detailed post it would be such a help for people starting out as well
Can’t believe i didn’t already know about a sweat scrapper. Thanks for much needed info!
Very good information for those of us that don’t know about any of this!
Excellent list on building a grooming kit.
I had no idea so much was involved in caring for horses.
Nice
Love it
looks like some wonderful products
Great Information
Takes a lot of work to keep a horse looking their best. Use the best tools.
Saw a hoof pick being used. Thought it looked painful but was told that the horse cannot feel it and feels better with cleaned feet
Great info
Lovely products for some lucky horses
great variety of products
This is a great list of essentials! Good grooming practices are so essential, and having the right tools for the job makes it so much easier.