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Chapter
18
GROOMING
Differences between grooming a grass kept and a stable kept horse
or pony
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Grass
kept horse
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Stable
kept horse
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Hooves
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- Picked
out into a skip
- Oil
or use hoof dressing at the end of the grooming
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- Picked
out into a skip
- Oiled
or dressed at the end of the grooming
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Mane
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- Brushed
out small section at a time with the body brush
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- Brushed
out small section at a time with the body brush
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Body
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- Rubber
curry comb to remove loose hair and mud.
- Dandy
brush to remove dirt and dust.
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- Rubber
curry comb to remove loose hair and mud only if horse is
not sensitive or thin skinned.
- Cactus
cloth to bring dirt and grease to the surface.
- Dandy
brush to remove dirt and dust.
- Body
brush used in a circular motion and cleaned on a metal curry
comb.
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Tail
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- Brushed
out small section at a time with the body brush.
- Fingers
if very tangled.
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- Brushed
out small section at a time with the body brush.
- Fingers
if very tangled.
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Face
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- Untie
and brush with a body brush.
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- Untie
and brush with a body brush.
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Eyes,
nose and dock
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- Sponge
eyes, nose and dock
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- Sponge
eyes, nose and dock
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Some people
call a full groom 'strapping', if they are going to bang/massage
the muscles as well.
A thorough groom
is done after exercise when the pores are open allowing dirt and
grease to come to the surface of the coat. It will take an experienced
person 40 - 45 minutes, including strapping, wisping or banging.
- Whenever
possible groom outside, so dust is not inhaled by you or the horse.
- Remove
your gloves and jacket as you will get warm, if your are doing
a good job!
- Tie
the horse up.
- Skip
out the box and pick out the feet into a skip. Remove water and
hay so they do not become contaminated by dust.
- If
it is very cold, keep horse partially covered with rug.
- Be
firm but gentle, particularly with an unfamiliar horse. He may
be sensitive and try to bite or kick. Observe his expressions!
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In
the test you may only be asked to show how you use one item
of the grooming kit. It is unlikely you will have to groom
the whole horse.
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ITQ
18.1 What are the reasons for grooming?
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Where
to wisp, strap or bang
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Only
wisp, strap or bang on the muscular parts of the body, to
improve muscle tone and develop the top line; never do it
on the bony parts or over delicate structures.
Use a hay wisp, leather massage pad, or a folded stable rubber.
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- Neck.
Those muscles along the top of the neck near the crest. Never
the underside of the neck.
- Shoulder
The soft muscles. Never on the bony part of the shoulder blade.
- Quarters
On the top of the quarters taking care not to touch the loins.
- Thigh
The muscles towards the back of the leg.
Figure
18.1 Areas to strap or bang
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