Grrrrrr GROOMING IN SUB ZERO

Mine are out 24/7 and don't get groomed much at all this time of year. Belle and Noah get groomed when ridden which is once a week at the moment if lucky and rugs get adjusted and checked daily. Will pick feet out more often, especially if there is snow on the ground (though this tends to just fall out even though they are shod).

Grooming the shetland's coat at this time of year would be impossible anyway - it's so thick! Plus I wouldn't want to brush away natural goodness.
 
applecart14 said:
I have groomed my horse every other day in this cold weather but thats not because I think every day is bad for the horse just because I haven't had time to do it every day as I have been working and am anxious to get off home after mucking out/feeding. He gets his feet picked out every day though. I think pyschologically its very good for the horse as its building up a continual bond.

When I whipped his rugs off on Saturday to groom him I was staggered at how much condition my horse has lost and how much muscle as I've only been able to ride him twice in about ten days even though I only ride him for 20-30 mins 4-5 times a week usually anyway.
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Hmmmnnn....thanks to all the repliee's

I have now satisfied mydself that I am not some neurotic horse owner!!

Picked yours to respond to Lady Applecart as when I bought my lovley horse he had been over rugged and turned out for four months and was skeletal...so all your condition points really hit home.

Anyway, what is really sad is said know all girl is a wanna be eventer......oh the joys of rich indulgent parents lol

Anyway thanks to all and for the SUB ZERO GROOMERS, lets keep grooming...the rest of you, apart from the native pony owners, Im sorry I disagree, I think all horses clipped or not can cope with a 5 min exposure to one quarter at a time at the very least.

Personally, I call it plain lazy if you dont bother...no offense just my opinion which as you all know are like "noses" we all have one
 
Mine gets groomed when I can get up there which with the dark is 3 times a week at present, other than that she's on full grass livery. She loves a good brush and if i'm feeling kind i'll fold half her rug back do the front of her then fold it the other way and do her back. If I'm feeling horrid then yes shock horror I will take her rug off and groom her naked and yes she is fully clipped. She's never been cold yet or shown any signs of discomfort. They're tougher than we think these horses!
 
I have to say that apart from the riding grooming my horses is the favourite part of my job, apart form the fact that it helps keep the skin in good nick, keeps the circulation going etc it is a really nice time to be with them. Horses have to rely on us when they are rugged to keep the itching down and give any itchy bits a good scratch. I would liken it to wearing a headscarf and not taking that off for weeks at a time and not being able to itch under it.
 
I try to groom my boy most days - he is unclipped and rugged in a medium weight turnout 24/7. It feels wrong not to let the air get to his skin... they must get stuffy and itchy under their rugs so I like to give him the oportunity to have a good scratch (which he often does) and a quick groom...

all those that have noticed their horses dropping muscle / condition, have you considered that a quick, firm groom might help with muscle tone?
 
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