Muddy horse doesn't like face being groomed!

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Bubble734

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My share horse hates his face being brushed (understandable really). He holds his head too high for me to reach or walks in circles around the stable unless I tie him up. However, his face always ends up so muddy from being turned out in the day and I don't want it to rub where his bridle goes. He's a bit better when I use my hands rather than a brush to get the mud off. Any advice on getting him to let me brush his head? I have had this with other horses before so doubt it's unusual.
 
If he's fine with your hand, try a rubber grooming mitt. My horses enjoy having their faces scratched with a mitt but are less happy with brushes going near their eyes.
 
Mmmm....... sounds like someone, somewhere, has used too harsh a brush on his face and/or flicked mud into his eyes, or perhaps been a bit rough with him even, or something like this, which has unnerved him and made him a bit headshy.

Ditto the advice about a rubber grooming mitt.

Um, sorry, being numpty here: but where does one get a "Wonderstone"?????
 
I use the round metal pan scourer things, they get the mud off really easy without scratching the skin like a brush, my Arab loves dunking his head in mud and hates any type of hard brush on him but will stand still to have the mud chipped off with a scourer, nice and cheap too:)
 
I use a small face brush (Mark Todd brand I think, or Slip Knot perhaps) bristles are much softer and the brush is smaller to easier to groom around eyes etc. My TB isn't keen on having his head brushed but loves a good rub so sometimes just use gloved hand to try and get the super sticky dried on mud off.
 
I use a rubber mitt for thick dried mud, a cactus mitt for a normal amount of dried mud, or a soft and small face brush for no mud. I also teach my horse to lower its head if I need it to. Gentle repetition is the key :)
 
I just use my hands and then once the mud is off I use a flannel in place of a brush. Perhaps to get the mud off you could try those exfoliating gloves you get for humans - they are cheap from Boots etc. Now I've thought of it I think I will go and get a pair for my horse tonight!
 
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