how much do you..

[Moggy in Manolos]

groom before you ride?

At the moment i am really only grooming seren where the saddle and bridle goes, so generally we go out riding quite scruffy, i am not that bothered what people think, its a case of me and my muddy pony!

So i am being nosey now

Do you groom much? does it vary alot depending on the time of year?
do you ride out scruffy like me or do you have to be immaculate every time?
most horses i see look so smart and clean

Is it only me thats a scruff?!

 

[kerilli]

the ones that are going back out in the field, i just do where the saddle and bridle goes, brisket, and their lower legs. can't see the point of spending hours scrubbing mud off, only for them to stick it all back on again an hour later!
i never ever groom tails at home, i give them a shake to get the odd bit of bedding out of them, but i never ever comb or brush them, because i like them really full. they're washed, sprayed and combed before a competition, but at home i don't care if they're a bit muddy and tangled!
but then, i've got a private yard, so there's no-one around to bitch about my scruffy horses!

 

[Rowreach]

When I started working with horses, hmm hmm years ago, I was told that turn-out always had to be immaculate, in case a potential client (or rich American potential purchaser) happened by

Have to say that as the workload increases my standards are slipping, and I tend just to do the bits where the tack goes. I am very superstitious about tails though, as one racing YM I worked for told me that if you go out with bedding in the tail, you are sure to fall off - and I've never liked to test the theory!

 

[merlinsquest]

At the moment I would only brush off what is dry and important

I will not brush his tail as he would end up without one at the moment because it is thick with mud and would look the same the day after it was washed.

I also dont brush off his lower legs, I just feel them to make sure they are cold and healthy. I do worry that keep scrubbing away at him will potentially scratch the skin and make mud fever more likely. I only brush the essential where the tack sits and anything else that will come off easily!!

To be honest though at the moment the amount of days where he is not wet and muddy..... nothing I can do about that as he is out 24/7..... mean that he isnt brushed at all!!!

I actually think that he can hear my car from the field as he always looks like he has just rolled when I go out to him.

 

[StarFell]

Im another lazy one who only does where the saddle and bridle goes! And half the time he has half his bedding in his tail, I didn't know it was suposed to be bad luck!

 

[Selkie]

I thought that you were not supposed to over groom horses in the winter as they need the oils in their coats to protect them from the weather. So I just do saddle and bridle bits

 

[Bozzy]

The only bits that see a brush more than once a fortnight are head, stomach and legs! I do tend to groom nearly everyday in Summer...probably because I love seeing a gleaming coat, for me this time of year isn't great for pampering unless it's a nice day!

 

[Law]

[ QUOTE ]
the ones that are going back out in the field, i just do where the saddle and bridle goes, brisket, and their lower legs. can't see the point of spending hours scrubbing mud off, only for them to stick it all back on again an hour later!
i never ever groom tails at home, i give them a shake to get the odd bit of bedding out of them, but i never ever comb or brush them, because i like them really full. they're washed, sprayed and combed before a competition, but at home i don't care if they're a bit muddy and tangled!


[/ QUOTE ]

My friend took one look at Darcy's tail yesterday and looked horrified at me- the guilt and shame spurred me into action and I spent about an hour getting it tangle free today

I did feel like it was a waste of time tho as he was turned out again afterwards. I only brush belly, saddle, girth and bridle areas at this time of year.
Tail will be washed and made nice before any trips out in public

If I'm hacking out through the village and likely to see anyone I will take as much dry mud off the legs and so on.

 

[Ahrena]

I just brush the head and saddle & girth area before a ride but always give a full groom in the evenings before I put them in their stables, I like spending the time with them.

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

woo hooo some fellow muddies like me
all the horses i see out hacking look so tidy, i too go out with serens shavings in her tail, didnt realise it was supposed to be bad luck either!

lol law, your friend would be horrified at serens tail, cant remember last time i brushed it, she lives out pretty much 24/7 so its pointless at the moment

 

[Persephone]

I do a top to toe each night when Star goes to bed. But then she comes in every night, is rugged, fully clipped and I have time to faff!

In the morning she only needs a quick flick to be ready to ride. I must admit I like my horse turned out well, but it's not essential.


If she lived out it would be contact points only!

Having said that she really enjoys her groom and it's a great way of checking thoroughly for injuries.

 

[Donkeymad]

[ QUOTE ]
I thought that you were not supposed to over groom horses in the winter as they need the oils in their coats to protect them from the weather. So I just do saddle and bridle bits

[/ QUOTE ]

If your horse is out unrugged this is very important, but these days many are heavily rugged or stabled, so not so important.
Ours get done on the places where tack goes and only before being used, we don't groom them if they are just staying out in the field.