Keeping the horse's rug on whilst brushing them is done to keep them warm and comfortable. It involves grooming the equine's body in four separate sections, whilst wearing a rug over certain parts of their body. Generally this is performed on stable-kept horses, in colder weather, when they are either clipped or fine coated.
Put on the headcollar and tie up the horse.
Leaving the rug on the horse, pick out all four hooves.
Pull back the hood if applicable.
Groom the mane with the body brush. Remove any bedding and lay the mane flat on the right hand side.
Remove any bedding or dirt from the tail.
Brush any knots or tangles out with the body brush/tail brush or use your fingers if the tail is thin.
Untie the quick-release knot.
Place the headcollar around the horse’s neck.
Groom the head with the body brush.
Clean the eyes and nostrils if required.
Replace the headcollar and re- tie the horse up correctly.
Remove the tail from the fillet string, or un-do the leg straps and re-fasten them back to the rug.
Undo both cross surcingles.
Correctly go around the front of the horse.
Tie up the cross surcingles.
Correctly come around the front of the horse.
Fold the front half of the rug backwards so it is covering the horse’s quarters.
Groom the neck, shoulders, front legs and back with the correct brush for the horse’s skin type.
Any difficult stable stains can be removed using a water brush and warm water.
Correctly go around the front of the horse to the offside and groom the neck, shoulders, front legs and back with the correct brush.
Bring the front of the rug back to its original position and then fold the back of the rug forwards so it is covering the horse’s shoulders and front part of their back.
Groom the horse’s quarters and hind legs with the correct brush on the nearside.
Any difficult stable stains can be removed with a water brush and warm water.
Groom the horse’s quarters and hind legs with the correct brush on the offside.
Once grooming is complete either re-fit the rug correctly, or fold the rug back over the quarters and tack the horse up ready for exercise.
