How do you groom a horse? How long does it normally take and how often do you have to groom them?

Answer 1

horses should be groomed every day and it usually takes at least 20 minutes to brush, comb and curry from one end to the other
it is also an excellent time to bond with your horse and to check him for any injuries

Answer 2

I take care of 14 horses, and I do not have the time to groom everyone of them everyday. I usually groom the horse before I ride. Most of my horses are lesson horses and get used once a day. The lesson students do a basic cleaning before they ride.
I do groom my horse completly before I ride and make sure the saddle area is groomed up after I ride as the very least.
You can always groom a horse for fun and it's a nice way to spend time with your horse.
Here's the process:
I use a curry comb (rubber) for all the mud, and if it's rubber it can go everywhere on the horse.
Then I use a hard brush to help get the most dirt or mud off, and that's only used on the main muscles of the horse.
Then I use a medium brush for the rest of the dirt. This brush can be used mostly all over except sensitive areas.
The last brush I use is the soft brush and it can also be called the finishing brush. This is the softest brush, and can be used everywhere including the face, legs, and belly.
I use a hard curry comb and show shine, or detangler for the tail, and if the mane is really long, a detangler in that as well. The show shine also makes the dirt not stick as well. So I mainly use that after I bath my horse in the summer. One word of caution, don't put it on the saddle area. The saddle may slip. So, I use it where the horse gets the dirtiest. The butt, the legs, any white spots, and tail.
Make sure you pick the hooves out before and after you ride. You never know if a pebble got stuck in there. If you don't know how to, ask another horse owner to show you, or get a book, and or get a farrier to show you how.
Hooves should also be trimmed every 6-8 weeks. I make my schedule with the farrier for the entire year, so I don't have to worry when he is coming out next.
A full grooming will take anywhere from 20 minutes to 35 minutes depending on how dirty your horse gets. I have several horses, and they range from rolling in puddles of mud to not rolling at all.
Well, I hope that helps. It takes longer to explain than to actually do sometimes.

Answer 3

Grooming can be done as often as you like. My horses are riden three times a week each, so I do plenty of grooming. I groom before each ride. It has become routine and they like it that way, nothing new or scary about grooming. Most days I take about 10 minutes; I use the time to establish our bond again. I start by just brushing the whole body, then the mane and tail. Last I pick their hoves. After I ride I spend a few more minutes, not only to let them calm down, but also as a reward. I often get teased for having such pretty horses. I just feel that they should be well groomed, just like they would if I was taking them to a show.

Answer 4

Horses should be groomed at least twice a day. If you are riding them you should also groom before and after the ride. It usually takes me about 10-20 minutes depending on how dirty the horse is.
How to groom: The first step is picking out the hooves. Stand next to the horse lookingin the direction of its tail. Run your hand down its leg and give the tendon above the fetlock a little squeeze. Hold the leg in one hand and pick it out with the hoofpick in the otha hand.

Next take the rubber curry comb and brush the body and neck (not face) in circles. Follow with brushing the hair along its natural path on the body and neck with the body brush.

Brush the legs with a dandy brush.

Next brush out the mane and tail (don't stand directly behind the horse but to the side) with a mane comb.

You can also brush the horses face with a face brush.

Happy holidays.

Answer 5

I love these :]! 1. How often do you clean your grooming supplies? I try to do a little every day.. 2. How often do you clean your tack? After every ride a wipe it down with some soap but do a thorough cleaning once a week. 3. How often do you ride, and for how long? I have school so about 5 times a week, an hour or 2 each time. 4. Favorite activity to do with your horse? Just lounging around or lying down together in the paddock or going on a nice trail in the evening.. :] 5. Your horse's breed, age, and name? thoroughbred cross, 14.3 hh, 8 years old, Sophie :3 6. What style do you ride? English, hunter jumper, some cross country and pleasure! 7. Do you show? If yes, to what level? Not with my mare, not yet ;] 8. How many horses have you owned/leased/had lessons with since you started riding? 20+ 9. How many years have you ridden? 4 10. What is your favorite part of owning/leasing horses? the bond, the trust, the work and the responsibility <3

Answer 6

It sounds like you are getting good advice already. I think you could find some great books on grooming a horse. And once you get the hang of it, it will take less time, but it will probably be rather time consuming to start. How wonderful to get to slot an hour of each day for you and your horse to bond. You probably should get a good ferrier and vet in your adress book. And be sure to groom before riding to avoid saddle sores from burrs or other obstructions in the horse's fur. Enjoy. I would rather ride all day than dance all night....

Answer 7

Use a soft-bristled brush and start with your horse's face. Brush the forelock and face, being careful to stay away from the eyes.
Look for any drainage from the eyes and make sure your horse's ears don't have anything in them.
Use a medium-bristled brush for your horse's body. Start at the neck and work your way down.
Look for any cuts or bumps that need treatment.
Brush entire body, including belly and legs.
Run your hands down the horse's legs to feel for any swelling.
Spray conditioner or detangler in mane and tail to make brushing easier.
Use a stiff-bristled brush for mane and tail.
Use a hoof pick on each hoof.
Check for abscesses or other hoof or frog abnormalities.
Notice any changes in your horse. Is there discharge from the horse's nose? Are the gums pink? Does your horse seem alert?
Spray fly repellant over entire body of horse. Be careful not to get fly spray in horse's eyes.

Don't forget to have your horse's feet trimed at least 6 to 8 weeks.
Normally it shouldn't take longer than 15 minutes, but it depends on how fast you are and how quite the horse stands.
Horse's probably should be brushed at least once a day, if not once every other day.

Answer 8

I personally start with a curry comb. I then go on to the medium brush to brush off the dust I got up with the curry comb. Next I pick out his feet and put hoof polish on. Then I go to him mane and tail get that looking nice. And last but definitely not least I go to his head with the soft brush and get all the dust off.
Normally this takes me about 5-20 minutes depending on how long I take on eat thing.

I have a friend though who always has the dirtiest horse on the property she takes 30-45 minute just grooming him. And don't even ask about bath time. She has that down to a science. But it still takes her forever.

Have Fun

Answer 9

My horse is an outside horse and I give her a tough grooming once a week and just go over her with a curry comb every time I go. When I give her a full grooming with just brushes and hoof picks it only takes me like about 15 minutes. With trimming and stuff it takes me like...half hour.

Answer 10

The way you should groom a horse is by brushing them, all over BTW. You should also wash the horse with a special shampoo you can get in a store that specifies in Horses. Use a tooth brush to brush the horses hooves.