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Grooming Routines

7K views 38 replies 34 participants last post by  windspeed 
#1 ·
Hi! 1. What's your routine? 2. How often do you groom? 3. On average how long does it take you? 4. Are there any special brushes or sprays you prefer? Thanks!

1. I do his hooves, then the basic body brushing, legs, mane and tail, face, and wipe down eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and dock.
2. I try to groom every day, but I can't say I always can.
3. It usually takes me around 30 minutes......mines a mini.
4. I love a spray I got once.....it's keeps their hair manageable and tangle-free, protects from the elements, and keeps them from fading. It has worked very well for me....it's called "Vetrolin Shine" from Farnam.
 
#2 ·
I curry, then brush, her body and face (she LOVES having her face brushed so I try to do that every time). Then I do her hooves. I generally leave her tail alone because I'm trying to get it to grow out and the more one brushes the tail, the more hairs break. If I had a ton of detangler it'd be different but I only use Cowboy Magic on her tail and that stuff is spendy! Haha

I groom when I go out there. I go out there about 4 or 5 times a week so I groom her about 4 or 5 times a week. Haha

It takes me about 15 minutes. That's actually slow for me. I work at a camp where you need to get 12 horses groomed (and tacked up) in 30 minutes or less basically everyday, so by the end of the summer I can thoroughly groom/tack up in about 5 minutes or less. o_O

I love love love Cowboy Magic's detangler. I love how it conditions the hair really nicely as well as making it super easy to work with. I've tried other detanglers and none of them have done nearly as good of a job or conditioned her hair as well as Cowboy Magic.
I also love QuicSilver shampoo since I have a white horse. That stuff gets her dang sparkling! :D
 
#3 ·
For my grooming routine, I start out with my jelly scrubber curry. I use the harder side for the neck, body, and upper legs. I flip it and use the finer bristles on the head and lower legs. I then use a soft dandy and round metal curry to remove the dirt and loose hair. Next, I pick out the feet in no particular order. Lastly, I brush out the mane and tail.

I keep a box of baby wipes for crusty eyes or dusty faces--they work really well for most anything. I keep a small tub of Cornoa ointment to put on scabs/bare skin to help the hair to grow back. I do not know what I would do without my jelly scrubber. If I could only have one grooming tool, that would probably be the one that I would choose.

I try to groom every day as well. But with 3 horses, and the fact that it takes me 20-45 minutes per horse (depending on how dirty they are), it isn't always practical. On days that I ride, the only horse that gets groomed is the one I ride...it's hard to find all of that time!
 
#4 ·
I start with a great curry I got...love it, but I can't remember who makes it. It's the kind with the massage-y, big "spikes." It's kind of stiff so I don't use it on her belly, legs or face. Then medium brush on her body, soft brush all over, wipe down with a fleece towel. The pick out feet, apply hooflex. Then comb her mane and sometimes her tail. Then clean eyes and dock. I've used Vetrolin shine, too, and I liked it. I actually bought it because it has a sunscreen in it, but it worked well as a coat conditioner/shiner too.

I don't groom nearly as much as I should...only a few times a week at best. But she always looks like she's had a sheet on all day, so I guess it's not doing her much harm! :p Oh, and it takes about 15-30 minutes, maybe longer, depending on how thorough I am.
 
#5 ·
Wow, ya'll make me feel neglectful LOL.

1: I will usually only have time to do a quick curry and brush on the body where the saddle goes. However, if I have some time to kill, I will usually curry/brush the whole body. I don't really mess with the mane or tail unless I notice a knot or mat getting started. I also don't mess with the face much unless there is a particularly nasty spot or if they have something that is making them uncomfortable, then I will usually just use my hand to work it off.

2: I usually only groom before a ride, right now it is such a mucky mess that grooming and then turning them back out would be a tremendous waste of time I don't have.

3: If I take my time, I can be tacked up and ready to go in about 15 minutes but if I have to rush, I can be riding in 5.

4: Nothing really special except my metal curry comb. That thing is worth it's weight in gold. :D
 
#6 ·
:lol: love grooming the boys . I usually groom daily
daily its quick one

jelly curry comb its really soft and more like a massager neck & body, or if they are muddy i'll use the normal crry comb first, then the dandy brush every where except face, brush main & tail and finally feet. Finally fella gets itch treatment.

before i ride they get a more though version including the above and face, with body brush and i;ll check if bridle path needs trim etc.

I love the closeness i feel when i am grooming.
 
#7 ·
I'm with Smrobs on this one :P

1. In any order - hoof picking, brushing the body with body brush, using the curry or grooma for any mud or grime that won't go, a little brush over the face with the softer brush, and then mane and tail.
2. I groom before I ride. I haven't been riding much lately so it's only been about once a week if even. Hoping to get out multiple times a week though soon. Stupid Kansas weather.
3. Usually about 5-10 mins. It takes another 30 if I bag and braid the tails. 4. I swear by the shedding blade during the "woolly mammoth" months. Grooma works great for mud and those times too. And for my mare with her long beautiful mane and tail we use show sheen detangler. When I bag the tails, I use Vetrolin Leave In Conditioner and MTG.
 
#8 ·
1. Slick 'N' Easy (if they need it), curry, horsehair brush, mane (tail if necessary or once a week), clean hooves
2. For the mare I'm working right now, every day or two
3. 5 minutes or less if I'm in a hurry, 30 minutes if I'm being thorough
4. I like the curries with the big teeth for shedding and massage, the small teeth for doing legs and faces, a soft horsehair brush for flicking dust and creating shine, MTG for all kinds of things, Cowboy Magic Detangler and Shine, Healthy Haircare Hair Moisturizer, QuicScreen, EQ Solutions Body Wash for horses that get rinsed a lot. (I don't use all of these products every day or on every horse. Some only get used every now and then.)

Okay, just reminded myself that I need to order some more Hair Moisturizer, LOL.
 
#9 ·
I always start with a full curying even past shedding season to get up all the dust.
Then ni use a hard body brush her all over including her face.
I then brush her mane and flatten her tail(i tend not to actually brush her tail unless there is an obvous reason to)
Quick hoof pick and i go. I then do it again after i ride so she stays super clean and shiny.

Usually takes me 10minutes both times as i ride her twice a day 6days a week.
 
#11 ·
I'm with Smrobs - You guys make me feel neglectful :]

I generally only run a body brush over the saddle area, unless they are actually dirty, then quickly over the body. In summer I don't pick feet as there is never anything there - I can fell when I get on if they have a stone and they have never gotten one on dry ground. I pick out in winter.

I can be saddled in about 3 minutes but normally I take about 15.

I hog manes so nothing to brush and I don't touch tails unless they have been washed and conditioned.

I only do a full groom if i'm going to a show - The day before I wash, condition, groom and clean rugs.

My favourite product is Hi Shine Hot Oil - Fantastic stuff. It turned Bundy's big sunbleached patch into dapples and makes his tail shine like a mirror.
 
#12 ·
Yeesh, I feel neglectful too.

Ricky is lucky if he gets groomed once a week. He's left out to be a horse (with his blanket on of course). However, I do pick out his feet daily and if he's got dry mud on his legs or body, I'll brush that off.

He really only gets a good groom if he's got a show etc. I never touch tails if they haven't been washed and conditioned.

Is that bad that he doesn't get a groom? He's only been backed and mouthed recently and is just having fun being a horse?
 
#13 ·
since getting my mares (it's only been 3 or 4 weeks now) I've go to the barn once a day. We (my daughter and I) ready their stalls (muck, fresh water,grain) then we go to the field to bring them in. After they eat their grain we get them out and bring them to the cross ties (one at a time). We start with the curry brush, then hard brush, then smooth. We also do the mane and tail. We use Mane & Tail on the tail, the manes are short so we don't have to use anything there. We use fly spray, as needed, baby wipes as needed and hooves too, in no particular order. We are both working on a mare at the same time, and are pretty effiecient but we are taking extra time with each of them to get them used to us working with them. The previous owner has been by the barn and said they looked better than they ever did with her. haha It takes us about an hour to do them both, that includes feeding, mucking, leading them from the field and taking them back to the field. I also feed treats to Wille, he's a twenty year old goat at the barn, and Zorro a mini donkey while I am there. They aren't mine but the barn owners. We have become quite attached to all the critters at the barn.
 
#14 ·
- In general, I at least brush thoroughly (with the stiff and body) before tacking up or doing anything else with them, and give a once-over afterward. I do not like putting my horse away with noticeable sweat or dirt stains after a workout. Care it taken to brush the top layer of dirt away from the coat. I only still curry my mare as she is a slow shedding sort.

It usually takes me around 10 minutes...sometimes less...to accomplish this once-over before and after. I also pick feet before and after a workout. Too many rocks around here not to. If there are boogies and eye gooey stuff, those are wiped away with a damp towel. I also occasionally gently clean between the mare's hind legs. Some days when I'm feeling industrious I'll put leave-in conditioner in manes and tails.

I also like just going out there and brushing them down as they eat or whatever. My gelding came to me not too used to a lot of attention and this consistent grooming has really helped him not be a pain to treat for medical stuff, etc.. I make sure to brush ALL over to get him used to contact in the places he'd rather not want me to touch.

I like grooming...it's relaxing and they seem to enjoy it, and it lets me notice any bumps or scrapes I might not have otherwise seen (like Lilly's heel bulb injury. I'd have never seen it if I don't pick feet as often as I do).
 
#15 ·
1. What's your routine?
- I like to groom before and after riding :) When I come up not to ride, I like to groom her before putting her in the stable. I often let her roll into the arena as well though, just to go ahead and groom her again! :D (Yes I LOVE grooming!!)

2. How often do you groom?
As much as I can! When I am there, at least once!

3. On average how long does it take you?
About 20 minutes if I do it thoroughly

4. Are there any special brushes or sprays you prefer?
Beasty brushes, just for the fancy colors haha

 
#18 ·
Hi! 1. What's your routine? 2. How often do you groom? 3. On average how long does it take you? 4. Are there any special brushes or sprays you prefer? Thanks!

Wow, I feel kinda neglectful, too...

My main brushing routine is relatively short... I don't do long brushings very often anymore.

1. First, I use a stiff-bristle dandy brush and do the entire body save for the face (unless there's mud on my horses faces). Afterwards, I pick their hooves out. After that, I use a very soft horse-hair shoe-polish brush to go back over them (it adds shine, lol). I don't brush the mane or tail often aside from gentle finger-brushing (I use a comb on the mane and tail about once every few months).

2. I generally groom about once a week.

3. It usually takes anywhere from ten minutes to thirty minutes, depending on how dirty my horses are.

4. My favorite brush ever is a simple, stiff-bristled dandy brush. I also love hoof-picks with the brush on one end. I also like Showsheen, but don't use it often at all.
 
#19 ·
I think my routine takes me about 15 min or so unless I am in a hurry and skip a few steps. I groom before and after each ride.

1) I get ALL the mud off with a spring curry....this is rare as he usually doesn't have mud on him.

2)massage/curry with my Grooma rubber curry/massager. I do a section, then brush it with a stiff mud brush. For the "after ride" groom I use the Grooma to help massage fly spray down to the skin, I found it works better this way.

3) brush legs with stiff mud brush

4) go over whole body head to tell with "flick" brush

5) go over whole body with slicker brush to bring out that shine

6) main and tail combing

7)feet

BTW I'm a very vain neat freak where it comes to my horses....can you tell???
 
#20 ·
Step by step? :D

1) If muddy, I take the metal curry comb and take off all the mud I can. The metal pulls it off really well and Annie actually leans into it because she likes the scratching it gives her, haha :)

2) I take a firm body brush and get as much dust off as I can, I flick it in small fast strokes down his coat and it build up in a section, which makes it easier to sweep away.

3) I use a face brush to shine the coat and obviously brush the face.

4) I move on to the mane and tail. I brush out the mane and generally will braid them up overnight if I'm showing the next day. Otherwise I just spray it down with some show sheen.

5) Hooves. I pick them all out and apply a seal on them to prevent cracks or anything like that. I've been using it for two years and have never had a problem with anything since.

If I'm showing I do a lot more, but that's the basic thing. I groom before and after a ride, which is gnerally enough to keep them clean because I ride all the horses daily, and even if I skip a day or two its no big deal because they're already groomed. That's why they invented sheets and stalls :D
 
#21 ·
I groom every other day, which is how often I go to the barn. Sometimes i'll skip a routine, but I usually regret it because Sunny acts like a re-re if I wait too long in between groomings. Haha. It usually takes me around 30 minutes if I take my time. First, I get off any caked-on mud with the jelly scrubber. Then I go over the whole body with a hard brush, then medium brush, the rub her body with a rag and use a soft brush on her face, which she loves. After that I pick her feet, then spray her mane and tail with detangler, and comb it out, sometimes braid. I swear by ethnic hair products to get out tangles and make manes and tails silky. They work wonders and are very cheap.
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#22 ·
Every day except Monday, when the barn is closed. I start with a regular rubber curry all over his neck & body, then soft curry his legs, belly and face. I do the same with a hard brush, then soft brush. Detangler in his mane and tail, pick out his feet, and a few times a week use hoof moisturizer. I also occassionally spray him with Eqyss Avacado Mist conditioner. I probably spend at least 45 mins - 1 hour every day, including tacking up.
 
#35 ·
Every day except Monday, when the barn is closed. I start with a regular rubber curry all over his neck & body, then soft curry his legs, belly and face. I do the same with a hard brush, then soft brush. Detangler in his mane and tail, pick out his feet, and a few times a week use hoof moisturizer. I also occassionally spray him with Eqyss Avacado Mist conditioner. I probably spend at least 45 mins - 1 hour every day, including tacking up.

Oh My gosh, I LOVE That Avacado Mist! It smells amazing! I don't use it, but a boarder at my barn does, and you can smell when she has been there! :)


1) Well, I curry to get all the dirt off, then run a hard brush over his body and legs. I use a soft brush after for added shine and do his face with a face brush. I usually pick feet then do his mane and tail after.

2) I try to groom every time I go to the barn which is usually only three, MAYBE four times a week since it's kind of far away.

3)Usually takes me about 10 minutes. Today it only took me about 2 because I picked feet and dusted off his back and rode bareback. :D

4) As I said earlier, I LOVE the Avacado Mist. I also probably couldn't Live without my EZ-all Shine and Detangler. I like it better than Cowboy Magic and it's cheaper! :)
 
#23 ·
1. What's your routine?
"Daily routine" - I brush their entire body (minus face) with a medium body brush and then a light brush all over including the face. Pick hooves and apply bug spray if needed.

"Long routine" - Jelly curry all over, medium body brush, light (dust flicker) all over, pick hooves, and finger through the mane. Apply bug spray.

2. How often do you groom?

The daily grooming is just about everyday for both. The long grooming happens probably 2-3x a week for Soda as he really likes to roll in the mud and I ride him. Flame gets a long session about 1x a week just to spend some time with her. She can't be ridden anymore and this is her last summer, so I'm making sure she feels the love.

3. On average how long does it take you?

Daily grooming takes like 10 mins for 2 horses, I basically do it just to bond a little and check them both over. The long grooming takes about 20-45 mins depending on how in depth I'm getting and how dirty they are.

4. Are there any special brushes or sprays you prefer?

Cowboy Magic Detangler and the jelly curry thingy.
 
#24 ·
i give my loan horse a quick flick over before i ride, he's in the field.

1.Pick hooves,rubber curry all over, body brush all over-neck to hoof, depends what his mane + tail are like,then il quickly go through them.

2.I groom him every time before i ride so.... 3 times a week.

3. takes about 10 minutes- he's 17.2 and im only 5ft 2".

4. nothing really special.
 
#25 ·
Sometimes I find a whole hour has passed when I'm grooming Candy, I tend to give her a thorough groom after rides, and just a quick curry comb before rides, unless she's muddy =] I love No-Nots for detangler and conditoner for the mane and tail. &, I SWEAR by PLASTIC Curry Combs!! I've had a rubber one once, hated it - the handles always come off on them I find.. Plastic is best, gets all the dirt of and gives them a good old scratch =]
 
#26 · (Edited)
1. Pick Hooves, apply Fiebrig's hoof polish
2. curry entire body
3. Brush entire body to get dirt and hair off
4. Brush mane
5. Spray with fly spray (I use ultrasheild EX fly spray ultra) LOVE IT. Smells great and works great but a little expensive
I rinse every time I ride and bathe once a week with mane n tail, plus horse sheen spray to get knots out of mane and tail.

I groom about 4-5 x's a week, every time I'm at the barn. It takes me about 15-30 minutes. I always have everything prepared right at my finger tips so that I cant groom and ride before dark ;-)
 
#27 ·
1. What's your routine?
"Daily routine" - Before and after each ride.
Dandy brush all over.
Body brush all over.
Pick feet.

"Long routine" - A few times a week.
Curry all over.
Dandy brush all over in flicking motions to remove dirt surfaced by curry.
Body brush all over.
Apply detangler to mane and forelock and gently comb out.
Use face brush on face.
Clean eyes and nostrils.
Pick out feet.
Dampen towel and apply Olive Oil Hair Strengthener. Run it gently through tail.
Gently comb out tail.
Apply leave in conditioner.

2. How often do you groom?
The daily routine is done before and after each ride. The long routine is done a few times a week.

3. On average how long does it take you?
Daily grooming takes like 10mins. The long grooming takes about 20-40mins depending on how dirty they are.

4. Are there any special brushes or sprays you prefer?
I don't use many tack shop products on my horses (except for shows). I like Cowboy Magic and MTG. I also love those wash gloves that you put on when washing your horse. They really get out all the dirt in their coats.
 
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