The grooming kit is designed to clean and care for the horse's skin, coat and hooves. To help prevent the spread of infection and disease, every horse should have their own brushes and the entire kit must be regularly cleaned.
To clean the brushes:
A soft bristled brush, used in a flicking motion to remove dust and grease from the horse’s coat.
The metal or plastic curry comb is used to clean the body brush, whilst grooming, to prevent dirt being brushed back on to the coat.
Types vary from stiffer bristles for thicker coats, to softer bristles for finer coats.
This brush can be used on all areas of the horse’s body. It is not ideal to be used on grass-kept horses, who don’t wear rugs, as it removes the grease from the skin essential for resistance against the elements.
A hard bristled brush used for removing surface mud and dirt from the coat. This is the primary tool used in grooming the grass-kept horse.
The dandy brush is not suitable to be used on clipped or sensitive areas as it can scratch the skin and cause discomfort to the horse. Additionally, it should be avoided on the mane or tail as it can tear out the hairs causing thinning.
Used to clean the body brush, preventing grease and dirt being groomed back into the coat. It should not be used on the horse.
To clean the body brush with the metal curry comb: turn away from the horse and sweep the body brush along the metal curry comb, generally done on every third stroke of grooming.
The flicker brush is a long bristled brush, designed for flicking away dust and loose hairs from the coat.
A small, soft bristled brush designed to groom the horse’s face.
A plastic bristled brush used to remove mud and loose hair from the coat. Not to be used on the mane and tail as it snaps the hairs causing thinning.
For children, it is an ideal substitute for the metal curry comb.
The rubber curry comb is used in a circular motion all over the body.
It is designed to be used when the horse is moulting to remove loose hairs.
The stable rubber is used to remove dust and add shine to the horse’s coat. It is performed all over the body after grooming.
Used all over the horse’s body to remove surface dirt or dust, plus to create a shine on the coat.
Designed to groom through the mane and tail, this wide bristled brush helps prevent damage to the hairs thus limiting hair loss.
A metal blade with short, dull teeth used to remove the coat once moulting begins. It is also suitable for removing caked on mud.
It should be used with caution, especially on sensitive horses.
The rubber grooming mitt is a gentle way of removing mud from sensitive areas of the horse’s body. It is also ideal for removing loose coat, whilst the horse is moulting, or to use as a massage tool.
Used in a scraping motion to remove excess water, or sweat, from the horse’s coat.
Used to help shed loose hair once moulting begins. It is also ideal for getting rid caked on mud.
Used to remove dirt and stones from underneath the horse’s hooves.
Used to create patterns on the horse’s hindquarters. The markers come in different shapes and sizes.
There should be 2 sponges in different colours, one for the nostril or mouth and one for the dock.
To prevent the spread of infection, a sponge should not be used on the horse’s eyes – instead use disposable wipes or cotton wool soaked in sterile water.
Rounded edge scissors used for general trimming on the horse’s feathers and beard etc.
Used for shortening the horse’s mane.
The solo comb is used in the same method as a pulling comb, however it is fitted with a blade which cuts the hair instead of pulling it out from the root.
A kinder option when pulling the mane.
The mane comb (larger comb) is designed to groom through the horse’s mane.
The pulling comb is used to shorten the mane and upper portion of the tail, by using a method called “mane/tail pulling”.
A plastic container, box or canvas bag are all adequate methods of storage for holding the grooming kit.
