Grooming your horse is an essential part of routine care. Not only does it promote good health but it can also be a relaxing way for you to spend time together. In the wild, horses groom each other and it's a natural part of herd behavior, most horses will love a good groom. With so many grooming brushes on the market, it's not easy to know if you're choosing the right ones. So, let's take a look at how to choose the best horse grooming brushes for you and your horse's needs.
Why is Grooming Important?
Regular grooming is a great way to keep an eye on your horse's health and condition. It allows you to become intimately acquainted with your horse's body. You'll be able to spot abnormalities, such as bumps, cuts or swellings when you're going over your horse with a grooming brush. The condition of your horse's coat is also an indicator of health so it's good to pay attention to it.
Grooming not only works on the horse's hair, it also works on the whole body, stimulating circulation to the skin, hair growth, and natural grease production. A horse having a deep groom is the equivalent of us having a massage. When the seasons change, grooming is of particular importance as it helps to remove thick winter coats. Older equines will be especially grateful for this assistance. To get the most out of grooming it's important to choose only the best horse grooming brushes.
Different Types of Horse Brushes
A good horse grooming kit will contain several different items, including a hoof pick. To store your kit, it's worth investing in a good grooming box or tote. Below we'll take a look at the most common grooming tools so you can choose the best horse grooming brushes for your needs.
Curry Combs
Curry combs technically aren't a brush. There are three types of curry combs - rubber, plastic and metal. Rubber or plastic curry combs should be used in a deep circular motion on your horse's coat. This is known as currying a horse. They’re great for taking away shedding hair, dried mud, and for releasing natural oils from your horse's coat. Generally, the metal curry comb is used to clean horse brushes by scraping it over the bristles. Some people use a metal curry comb instead of a grooming blade on the horse's body but this isn’t advisable.
Grooming Blade
The grooming blade is a long metal device with short, blunt teeth on one side. Used gently, it’s the best grooming tool for removing matted horse hair and hard mud. One side of the blade is flat so it doubles up as a sweat scraper to remove excess water or sweat.
Dandy Brush
Dandy brushes are hard and short bristled making them a perfect grooming brush for removing dirt and hair released from currying. The firm bristles smooth out the coat and they usually have rectangular handles. If you only have time for a quick groom then the dandy brush should be your brush of choice.
Body Brush/Finishing Brush
A body brush or finishing brush is the softest type of horse brush, great for finishing off the groom. Their short, soft, and dense bristles make them the best horse brush for shining the coat and bringing out color. The body brush will leave your horse dust free, and will help spread out the natural oil of the coat. Being so soft, a body brush is the best choice for grooming the horse's face and sensitive areas.
Mane and Tail Brush
To avoid a thin, wispy mane and tail, choose a mane and tail brush carefully. Metal and plastic combs are a popular choice however they can be very damaging to mane hair if used harshly. The best horse mane brush to choose for your horse is one with a round head, long handle and widely spaced, long plastic bristles. These look similar to a human hair brush and cause the least damage. Body brushes are also good for using on the mane and tail, their softness causes minimum damage.
How to Brush a Horse
When you carry out horse grooming it depends on your yard schedule and your horse's needs. During the week, a quick brush down will suffice if time is limited. Then at weekends, you could spend a long time doing a deep or full groom. You should always brush your horse before riding, especially over the tack areas. This is to remove any debris that may cause a painful rub or pressure on your horse while you're riding.
It's safer and more practical to tie your horse up before grooming. You should start at the head and brush back towards the rear, always working in the direction of the horse's coat. As a general rule, for a deep groom, you should start with the brush with the hardest bristles, usually a curry, and end with the softer body brushes. Avoid using a hard brush on the face, a soft body brush is best. For mane and tail hair, brush gently from the bottom up. Throughout the groom, you should regularly remove dirt and hair from your brush with a metal curry comb.
How to Clean Horse Brushes
Every time you use a brush for horse grooming, it's a good idea to remove loose dust and hairs from it as you go along. You can do this easily by tapping it on a hard surface or by using the metal curry. Tools to groom a horse will become filthy over time so you need to give them a regular deep cleaning. You can do this by washing them in a bucket of warm water with a light detergent or mild disinfectant. Make sure you rinse them off properly, shake off excess water, and then leave them bristles up to dry. Don’t leave a wooden brush soaking in water for too long, it can ruin it.
How to Choose the Best Horse Grooming Brushes
When you invest in a new grooming brush, you want it to last a long time. To get the most out of your investment then you should consider the following things before buying:
Comfort
Grooming a horse well will actually take a lot of work on your part. It's for this reason that it's important to choose a brush that is comfortable for you to use. You can do this by paying attention to any straps and handles on the brush. It’s a good idea to try it on your hand. Cheap horse brushes can be poorly made and cause discomfort to you and your horse. When choosing horse brushes look for high quality, trusted pet brands such as Oseter, Cottage Craft, Tough 1 or Wahl.
Horse Sensitivity
All horses are individuals so each will have their own preference for brushes and pressure for grooming. Some horses are sensitive and might prefer the touch of a soft body brush. Ticklish horses, on the other hand, might like more stiff brushes on their coats.
Bristles
When it comes to bristles, the harder, longer bristles are more powerful on clumps of hard dirt. The softer, short, dense bristles are good for smoothing the coat and removing dust. Only use the hardness that’s necessary for the job. If your horse isn’t covered in dried mud then no need to use super hard brushes. Choose a soft body brush instead.
Materials
The best horse grooming brushes are usually made of plastic or wood. Plastic is generally more hard-wearing but wood has a more comfortable feel. When choosing bristles the options will be natural, synthetic or mixed. Synthetic bristles are found on the hard brushes because of their strength and durability. Natural bristles promote shine and will be found on the softer brushes. You’ll find many different types of handles too. Brushes with leather straps are more expensive but they’re appealing because of their durability and comfort compared to straps made from synthetic materials.
Reviews for 5 of the Best Grooming Brushes on the Market
Tough 1 Great Grip Mane and Tail Brush
This long bristled grooming brush is very gentle on your horse's mane and tail hair. It has rubber around the end of each bristle for minimal damage. It features a rubber grip for your comfort and control when brushing, and it's available in all of your favorite colors.
Oster ECS Soft Brush
This professional body brush will remove dust with minimal effort and the soft bristles will leave your horse shining. It has a tough, durable design with a special rubber hold so it fits well in all hands.
Both Winners Stainless Steel Curry Comb
This versatile curry comb is designed to be safely used on your horse's coat as well as for cleaning brushes. The handle is designed with your comfort in mind and it has a reversible head with two different sized teeth.
Tough 1 Large Rubber Curry Comb
This is a bestselling curry comb that’s tough and durable. The rubber bristles will penetrate deep into your horse's coat bringing dust, loose hair, and debris to the surface. The soft rubber makes it comfortable on your hands and it's available in a range of colors and in a small junior size.
Desert Equestrians Inc Cowboy Brush Palmyra
This is a beautifully made, Western-style brush with tough palmyra bristles is great for removing thick dirt. It's very comfortable to hold with a soft wooden handle and leather strap.
Top Choice
When choosing the best horse grooming brushes, the Oster soft brush for horses is a great choice. It's a comfortable, durable, high-quality product that does a great job of removing dust and smoothing out the coat. This is the best body brush for horses.
Conclusion
When it comes to your search for the best grooming brushes for horses, there are many things you need to take into consideration. By following this guide, you’ll be sure to make the right choices when building up your grooming kit. With the right horse brushes and tools, grooming will become a pleasurable way for you and your equine friend to spend time together.
