Grooming your horse: how to build the right routine

Always start with a fixed order

A consistent grooming routine gives your horse a sense of security and ensures you don't skip anything. Start by tying your horse in a quiet spot with plenty of light. Always follow the same sequence: begin at the left side of the neck, work backwards over the body and back, then move to the other side, and finish with the legs and hooves. By sticking to the same route every time, you become familiar with how your horse normally looks and feels, so you immediately notice any changes — such as a swollen leg or a new scratch.

Your essential set of grooming tools

• Curry comb (rubber or plastic) – for loosening dirt and dead hair
• Hard brush (dandy brush) – for brushing away loose dirt and crusted debris
• Soft brush (body brush) – for finishing sensitive areas such as the face and belly
• Hoof pick – essential at every grooming session; check for stones and thrush
• Sweat scraper and sponge – for use after riding or washing
• Mane and tail brush or comb – use sparingly to protect the hair

Hoof care: never skip it

The hooves are the foundation of your horse. Pick them out every day, including on rest days. Work with the hoof pick from heel to toe and check the frog for soft spots or an unpleasant smell, which can indicate thrush. You want to avoid a dry, hard frog; regular movement on varied surfaces helps more than daily oiling. Record any abnormalities in your horse's EquiSight horse profile so you have concrete information to hand at the next farrier visit.

Seasonal points of attention

Adapt your grooming routine to the season. A few specific differences:

• Spring: more coat shedding — use the curry comb more frequently and check for skin irritation beneath the thick coat
• Summer: check daily for mosquito and insect bites, particularly in the groin area and around the eyes
• Autumn: the coat thickens — make sure your horse dries properly after riding to prevent skin fungus
• Winter: be careful with clipping — a clipped horse has less natural protection and cools down quickly after exercise

How long does a proper grooming session take?

For a thorough groom before riding, realistically allow 15 to 20 minutes. After riding — including cooling down, washing off any sweat, and drying the horse again — you can easily spend 25 to 30 minutes. Don't rush through the routine; a hasty or superficial session means dirt and salty sweat remain under the saddle, causing irritation and saddle sores. Schedule enough time and use the calendar in EquiSight to block out your care sessions.

Signals you must not miss

Grooming is also a health check. At every session, pay attention to the following:

• Heat or swelling in a leg – may indicate an early-stage injury
• Bare or flaky patches in the coat – think ringworm or skin fungus
• Pressure marks or abnormal hair patterns in the saddle area
• Changes in hoof growth or colour of the hoof wall
• Scratches, abrasions, or insect bites showing signs of infection

Recording what you observe: use your horse profile

Small changes are easy to forget, especially when multiple people care for the same horse. Make brief notes in your EquiSight horse profile: the date, what you noticed, and what you did about it. This builds a timeline that your vet or physiotherapist will appreciate. Not sure whether something needs medical attention? Ask EquiCoach for an initial assessment based on the data you've already entered.