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Caring for your horse’s coat doesn’t need to be difficult if you stick to a daily routine. Stabled horses tend to require more grooming than one kept on grass, but both techniques start the same.

For caked on dirt or manure coated on the lower body, use the stiffest brush which is the dandy brush. Grooming every day is an intimate way of thoroughly inspecting the entire body looking for any obvious lumps or cuts. The mane will need to be combed through to remove any knots that could get caught on fence posts or in hooves. The tail likewise should be brushed through with the body brush, don’t use the mane comb as it will tend to pull the precious hairs out.

Picking the dirt out of the hooves should be done at least once a day to discourage impaction of stones on the sole of the foot. Using the hoof pick, scrap down either side of the frog, and if shoes are worn check to see that they are secure and the nail clenches are tight.

For the grass kept horse, that is all the grooming required. Horses living outside need the natural build up of grease on their coat to keep warm and if you remove it by excessive brushing he will lose the waterproof quality, and he will get cold and wet.

The stabled horse is the opposite, he will need extra grooming to stimulate circulation. Let him roll in a sand box if possible, as that can also help massage and clean the coat and skin. Using the body brush, which has softer bristles, on the body will help to remove scurf build up and massage the muscles. A rubber curry comb used firmly will help make the skin supple. Finishing off with some straw twisted into a pad or a soft cloth will bring out the shine.