by Linda Ann Nickerson

Created on: September 05, 2009   Last Updated: January 02, 2012

Brushing Up on Equine Grooming Supplies

What essential grooming tools are needed for everyday horse care? Basically, nine simple horse grooming tools are needed for daily use in keeping an equine clean and well groomed.

9 Essential Equine Grooming Supplies: Curry Comb

A curry comb is a rubber scrubbing tool. Curry combs may be round, oval, square or rectangular. Curry combs may have small nubby teeth or large pointed prongs, all molded from rubber. Most horses prefer the smaller bumps, although thicker skinned equines (such as draft and Warmblood breeds) often tolerate the pointier curries.

The curry comb removes caked-on mud from a horse's body, while offering the equine a comfortable massage, as the horse groomer applies it in circular motions on the horse.

The ideal curry comb features a handy loop or strap on the back for horse grooming convenience.

9 Essential Equine Grooming Supplies: Body Brush

A stiff body brush, usually constructed with natural fiber bristles, is super for whisking dust and dirt from a horse's neck, back, rump and legs.

9 Essential Equine Grooming Supplies: Face Brush

A soft face brush, most often sporting bristles made from natural fibers, is gentle for sweeping soil from a horse's tender and sensitive face.

9 Essential Equine Grooming Supplies: Dandy Brush

A dandy brush is a large brush with soft natural bristles, which is useful for applying final touches to a horse's body grooming, once the currying and regular brushing has been completed.

9 Essential Equine Grooming Supplies: Mane and Tail Comb

A mane and tail comb is essential for maintaining a horse's well groomed adornments. Of course, a thorough finger-combing should be done before the comb is used. Some horse grooms substitute a mane and tail brush, which looks like a sturdy hairbrush, for gentler grooming of a horse's mane and tail.

9 Essential Equine Grooming Supplies: Hoof Pick

A hoof pick may be the most essential horse grooming tool of all, although it may be the cheapest to purchase. The hoof pick is used to remove mud, stones, plant matter and other debris from under the horse's hooves. Many horse grooms pick out horses' hooves before and after horses are exercised.

9 Essential Equine Grooming Supplies: Sweat Scraper and Shedder Blade

A sweat scraper and shedder blade (often sold as one tool) can be useful for encouraging seasonal shedding of a horse's coat, as well as for removing excess moisture after a rigorous workout or a shower.

9 Essential Equine Grooming Supplies: Towel

An old towel is extremely useful for dusting off a horse's coat, applying a final shine before a horse show class or even cleaning off daily dirt. Most horse grooms hang old towels on stable stall doors, laundering them as needed.

9 Essential Equine Grooming Supplies: Grooming Tote

A handled grooming tote, made of wood or plastic, is an invaluable organizer for a horse groom. Grooming totes may be found at tack stores or even in cleaning supply aisles at discount department stores.

Horse Grooming Hint

What is the secret to efficient horse grooming?

Smart horse grooms start at the top, brushing the horse's head and neck first. Then they work their way backwards and downwards on each side of the horse. This way, gravity works in the horse groom's favor, as dust and debris fall downwards.

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