Grooming your horse is one of the most critical components of equine care. Proper grooming is crucial to the health and happiness of your horse and cements the bond between horse and rider. The brushes and tools you use to groom your horse are a vital investment in your horse's wellbeing. The best way to ensure you are prepared to groom your horse correctly is by purchasing a complete grooming kit. Read on to learn more information about what comprises a suitable grooming kit for horses and how to search for the best horse grooming kit.
Items in a Good Horse Grooming Kit
Grooming kits for horses should contain all the necessary tools to groom a horse to maintain his health and hygiene. Grooming tools often sell as complete basic grooming kits of multiple horse brushes stored in a single container for convenience.
Brushes and Tools
Basic brush sets for horses should include a hoof pick, curry comb, mane and tail brush, comb, dandy brush, body brush, finishing brush, and sweat scraper. Brushes and tools are made of different materials, depending on their purpose. There are countless grooming products on the market, but these core tools are essential to fulfill basic horse care standards.
Hoof Pick
A hoof pick is a tool made of a handle, metal pick, and sometimes a hard brush. This tool cleans a horse's feet by removing debris from their hooves. Dirt and rocks quickly accumulate in a shod horse's feet. If hooves are not kept clean with a hoof pick, fungi can infect and damage the sole. Stones can also cause bruising during exercise, leading to lameness.
Curry Comb
A curry comb is probably the most significant brush in your grooming kit. A curry comb may consist of a variety of materials, including rubber, metal, and plastic. Currying massages the horse's skin to loosen mud, encourage circulation, and stimulate oil production. Some itchy horses enjoy a vigorous massage with a curry comb, while more sensitive horses may prefer a lighter touch, especially around their face and legs.
Mane and Tail Brush
A mane and tail brush resembles the hairbrush found in most people's bathrooms. A tail brush detangles the long hair of the horse's mane and tail and removes any rogue hay or shavings. However, you must be very careful to avoid pulling out excess hair from your horse's tail when using this item.
Mane and Tail Comb
Some riders prefer using a wide-toothed mane and tail comb when grooming their horse's tails. A good comb is less likely to catch hair strands when detangling a tail.
Dandy Brush
A dandy brush is the firmest brush in a grooming kit. This brush is used in a flicking motion to remove dirt and dander previously loosened by the curry comb from a horse's coat. Some horses may not appreciate the stiff, long bristles on sensitive areas and instead prefer softer brushes used on their face. Stiff bristles are mostly composed of synthetic material.
Body Brush
A body brush has softer, short bristles. This grooming brush is used after a dandy brush in long, sweeping motions, to distribute the oils and remove loose hair in the horse's coat. A body brush is often cleaned with a curry comb after each stroke to avoid dispersing any dirt left after the stiff brush.
Finishing Brush
A soft finishing brush is an incredibly soft brush used at the end of a grooming session to smooth the hair and oils, resulting in a shine you can see. This brush also removes any dust left on the horse. The bristles are usually soft, natural hairs.
Face Brush
A face brush is a very little, soft brush specifically designed to use on the horse's sensitive face. Most horses find a face brush very relaxing and enjoy this grooming item.
Sweat Scraper
The best horse grooming kits also include a sweat scraper. A sweat scraper is a plastic tool designed to remove excess water from the horse's coat after a bath. The scraper is used in sweeping motions on the horse's body to flick away moisture.
Best Brush Materials
The best material for brushes depends on their role in the grooming kit. A variety of materials compose grooming items ranging from hard metal to soft natural hairs.
Metal
A metal curry comb is traditionally only used to clean other brushes when they get dirty, as metal may be too hard to use directly on the horse's delicate skin. A metal curry comb scrapes dirt off of softer brushes that flick the dirt directly off the horse.
Plastic
Coarse bristles on a dandy brush or hoof pick brush are usually synthetic and made of plastic. Artificial materials are much stiffer than natural hairs, making them ideal for flicking off stubborn dirt. Cheap curry combs can also consist of plastic, but may not be pliable enough for some horses.
Rubber
Rubber is the best material for a curry comb. A good rubber curry comb is sturdy enough to massage the horse but soft enough not to harm them. These curry combs can range from fine to coarse depending on individual preference.
Natural
Natural hair is the softest material found in brushes. Soft bristles are best suited for finishing brushes that distribute oils and encourage a naturally shiny coat. The softest natural horsehair comprises delicate, plush face brushes.
Horse Grooming Kit Containers
Complete equine grooming kits are typically sold with containers to hold and organize the tools. A kit may be kept in a box, bag, or tote with differing advantages and shortcomings.
Boxes
Boxes are hard containers made of plastic or wood. Plastic crates are budget-friendly, while custom wooden grooming boxes may command expensive price tags. They stay upright easily for storage but make transportation of grooming kits difficult.
Bags
Some kits may come as a simple grooming bag of brushes. They are easy to carry, but do not offer any organization for your kit. Improper, unorganized storage may wear your tools quicker and contribute to difficulty grooming your horse efficiently.
Totes
Horse grooming totes are specially designed bags with specific compartments to hold different brushes and tools. A shoulder strap may allow for easy transport of the tote bag, and advanced designs enable the bag to stay upright. A grooming tote is the best container choice for your kit to organize, easily store, and transport your grooming set.
The 5 Best Horse Grooming Kits
1. Weaver Leather Grooming Kit
The Weaver Leather Grooming Kit contains seven essential items conveniently stored in a deluxe tote. The tote features six outside pockets for extra storage, a drawstring closure, and a comfortable shoulder strap. The set of seven quality tools includes a coarse curry, hoof pick, mane and tail brush, comb, dandy brush, face brush, and sweat scraper.
Features:
- Deluxe tote with convenient features to organize and transport your kit
- Durable brushes and tools that are comfortable to use
- Affordable price for exceptional quality
The Oster Equine Care Series 7-Piece Grooming Kit comes with a deluxe grooming set in an exceptionally well-organized zip storage bag. Grooming tools in this kit include a coarse curry comb, stiff dandy brush, soft finishing brush, mane and tail brush, mane comb, and hoof pick.
Features:
- Easy organization, storage, and transportation
- Comfortable rubber brush handles designed to provide a firm grip for effortless use
- Does not include a sweat scraper
The "Great Grip" Grooming Package from Tough 1 consists of seven ergonomic tools in a colorful nylon tote. These include a stiff bristle brush, body brush, curry comb, hoof pick, tail and mane brush, comb, and sweat scraper. This kit is a very similar and slightly more affordable alternative to the Oster set.
Features:
- Available in multiple colors
- Similar secure grip to Oster set at a lower price
- Robust and straightforward tote for storage
The 9 Item Horse Grooming Kit from Derby Originals Premium Comfort has every piece you need for grooming and bath time. The kit includes a convenient carrying tote filled with a matching sponge, sweat scraper, hoof pick, mane and tail brush, comb, dandy brush, soft brush, and rubber curry comb.
Features
- Includes bathing sponge for deep cleaning
- Wide variety of color options for every preference
- Everything you need for top turn out
The Rambo 7-Piece Horse Grooming Kit is a high-quality set in a stylish grooming tote from the reputable company Horseware Ireland. The kit consists of a face brush, sweat scraper, body brush, mane and tail brush, dandy brush, curry comb, and hoof pick.
Features
- Deluxe design from a top brand
- Higher price point reflects higher quality
- Does not include a mane and tail comb
The Best Overall Horse Grooming Kit
The best horse grooming kit to choose on the market is the Weaver Leather Grooming Kit. This kit receives consistently stellar reviews as the perfect set of good quality brushes at a reasonable price. The hardwearing tools and innovative tote provide everything a caring horse owner needs to groom their horse well.
The essential items included in this kit will allow you to keep your horse happy and healthy by promoting circulation, removing dirt, preventing infections, and making him shine when used correctly. This grooming set goes beyond merely providing the essential tools necessary for a basic grooming session by also finding inventive solutions for brush storage and handling, while remaining affordable.
Common Questions
How often should I groom a horse?
You should make sure to groom your horse as often as you can. Grooming provides countless benefits for horses that are impossible without a suitable grooming kit. While bathing too often can deplete the horse's coat of its natural oils, grooming encourages natural processes that keep the horse healthy. You should at least use a hoof pick to clean your horse's feet every day to keep your horse's hooves in good condition.
How should I maintain my horse grooming tools?
Your best grooming kit cannot keep your horse clean if you do not keep your brushes clean. Grooming tools from your kit should be soaked in a bucket of warm water with detergent, like ivory soap, to kill any bacteria living on the items that may cause skin disease. Rinse thoroughly to remove residual dirt and allow your brushes to dry in the sun. You should try to clean the brushes in your grooming kit once a week to once a month.
Will I need any extra items in addition to the horse grooming kit?
A basic grooming kit is an excellent place to start, but many items exist that would be valuable additions to your kit. A complete bathing kit is a good compliment to your grooming kit and would consist of a sponge, shampoo, and a towel.
Other products such as mane and tail detangler may make it easier to maintain your horse's tail without reducing its volume. Hoof oil and a hoof oil brush also help to condition and protect your horse's hooves.
The products available to add to your grooming kit and routine are limitless, but none are a replacement for quality grooming time spent caring for your horse. The most effective method to improve the quality of grooming time is to use the best horse grooming kits described and recommended by this quick guide.
