What brush do you use?

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poiuytrewq

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To get the mud off clipped out horses? The mud here seems to set like concrete and although comes off the non clipped hair without too much hassle it's literally welded to the bare bits!
Best I've found currently is an old fashioned rubber curry comb but wondered if there are any newer miracle brushed intended for the job that anyone swears by?!
 
I use a Haas curry comb https://www.horze.co.uk/brushes/haas-new-generation-soft-curry-comb/26491.html even my skin sensitive mare doesn't mind a vigorous going over with it. Not only is it very good at getting mud off it also raises scurf so it can be brushed away for a great shiny coat it's also very good to have in your non-brushing hand to clean your brushes whilst your grooming. Probably the cheapest and most useful Haas brush I own.
 
I use a Haas Military for getting off mud (fully clipped atm) and then the Cavaliere for getting out scurf. Great brushes, well worth the money.
 
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ester said:
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My horse would send me into next week if I used that on his clipped bits!

He's quite sensitive so I just use my fingers to gently loosen it on clipped areas (just don't look under my nails!) then use any soft bristle brush - I have the haas chestnut pack but I prefer to get surface mud off with fingers or magic brush (depending if clipped/unclipped area) and then go onto do a proper groom. :)
 
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Friend of mine uses the soft steel wool balls you use for washing up to great effect on her clipped horse when it's muddy. Not tried it myself though.
 
I use magic brushes, a wonderful 'body' brush type it has short firm bristles, or sometimes to just get through the mud a tail brush :o (I found this very effective when I was giving her a good itch!).
 
Merlod said:
My horse would send me into next week if I used that on his clipped bits!

He's quite sensitive so I just use my fingers to gently loosen it on clipped areas (just don't look under my nails!) then use any soft bristle brush - I have the haas chestnut pack but I prefer to get surface mud off with fingers or magic brush (depending if clipped/unclipped area) and then go onto do a proper groom. :)
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Every sensitive horse I have known (and others have reported this too) have got on very well with this brush, they appreciate the fact that it doesn't tickle and they certainly get on better with it than fingers. It has been passed around the yard with people not believing me ;). It is particularly good on short clipped coats and clay mud :p
 
ester said:
Every sensitive horse I have known (and others have reported this too) have got on very well with this brush, they appreciate the fact that it doesn't tickle and they certainly get on better with it than fingers. It has been passed around the yard with people not believing me ;). It is particularly good on short clipped coats and clay mud :p
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I'll second that - it was the only thing, other than a wool jumper, that I could groom my freakishly sensitive Trakehner with. Even a rubber curry would leave raised welts and a very uncomfortable horse. This type of round metal curry is actually very flexible.
 
What Ester & Cortez sez! I was recommended one about 20 years ago and I've never yet met a horse which minded it - even clipped, sensitive TBs. There's no pressure needed; just pass it lightly over the skin and the mud comes away like magic ... then a light flick over with a body brush to get rid of the dust.

It's also reversible (you can see the spring in the middle) so you can use the shorter or longer teeth by twisting the head of the brush.

Love 'em! :D
 
Mrs B said:
What Ester & Cortez sez! I was recommended one about 20 years ago and I've never yet met a horse which minded it - even clipped, sensitive TBs. There's no pressure needed; just pass it lightly over the skin and the mud comes away like magic ... then a light flick over with a body brush to get rid of the dust.
It's also reversible (you can see the spring in the middle) so you can use the shorter or longer teeth by twisting the head of the brush.

Love 'em! :D
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Agreed.
 
ooh I've never turned it round ;). It does get a bit greased up sometimes and I have had to bend it back into shape after F stood on it (I was like nooo the best brush!) I wish I'd known about them 20 years ago ;)
 
ester said:
ooh I've never turned it round ;). It does get a bit greased up sometimes and I have had to bend it back into shape after F stood on it (I was like nooo the best brush!) I wish I'd known about them 20 years ago ;)
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Just put your fingers in the middle of the loops with the other hand on the handle - pull the loops away from the handle slightly and you should be able to just twist the loops through 180 degrees (unless it's too gunked up! :p)

I first heard them called American curry combs ...
 
my Arabs don't mind the metal scrape things that ester uses and they don't like stiff brushes at all, in fact they actually look like they enjoy the feeling of the scraper.
 
ester said:
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One TB loves this, he's not clipped as he's retired but even when he was he was fine.

The other, no way, clipped or unclipped. Any attempt will leave him shaking all over and twitching his skin even if I touch him until he's had time to recover. On him I use the Hass curry comb or a supergroomer.
 
Merlod said:
My horse would send me into next week if I used that on his clipped bits!

He's quite sensitive so I just use my fingers to gently loosen it on clipped areas (just don't look under my nails!) then use any soft bristle brush - I have the haas chestnut pack but I prefer to get surface mud off with fingers or magic brush (depending if clipped/unclipped area) and then go onto do a proper groom. :)
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None of my horses - even the very sensitive flower - object to me using the metal curry comb (in Ester's post) on them. It really is not as harsh as it looks and does an excellent job.
 
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