Grooming routines

[Auslander]

I know how to strap properly, and I like doing it - but Alf is not a fan. I scrape any mud off with a metal shedding blade, give him a quick flick with a Haas Schimmel that I've had since well before they were trendy, and then polish him with a towel. He hates body brushes, or anything soft - it's one of the few times he'll take a swing at me! I'm not going to upset him unnecessarily, and our current regime meets with his approval. It helps that he's bright bay, so the dirt/dust doesn't show!

 

[shamrock2021]

I only groom when I not riding so only twice a week . I don’t have enough time to groom before I ride my horse. I now people who don’t groom there horse at all. They only wash there horse and there horses coat looks fab.

 

[WandaMare]

I feel really guilty now after reading this thread, mine get a quick brush over with the curry comb and dandy brush before riding then a quick sponge off afterwards. One of mine is skewbald and has cushings, so between the stable stains and long damp coat between clippings, its not a fun job getting her to look respectable. However, with all your talk of shiny coats and tangle free tails, I feel inspired to do better, so this evening I'm going to make some time to wash manes and tails and give them a proper groom.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Very rarely groom as they live out 24/7 and only the two ponies are ridden and that's very rarely. They all get looked at and fed twice a day and I brush a bit when they are shedding their winter coat or whilst waiting for the farrier, things like that. When the ponies are ridden they are given a brush where the tack will go and feet picked out. When I did ride the horses I used to give a brief brush all over and then focus where the tack went (plus cleaning out feet) but in the depths of winter it was really a case of just getting off mud where the saddle goes!

It's quite fun from time to time and the horses do enjoy it if they are shedding or itchy, but I don't feel it necessary (or particularly beneficial) for unrugged horses living out. I have also never washed my retired mare despite having owned her 11 years! I used to sponge her off after riding if she had sweated but that was it.

 

[HazuraJane]

Just googled Tiger tongue because I’ve never heard of it before, that looks interesting! Does it work dried on mud?

It works on dried mud! I use it to 'erase' mare muck from the white hind legs of my young mare as well. When the Tiger Tongue is new, best to not apply too much pressure unless horse is of the wooly mammoth variety. Once it's broken in, you can scrub a bit more with it.
On days your horse needs to look tidy in a hurry, there is nothing like a Tiger Tongue.