Although they can weigh upwards of a half ton, horses are very delicate and sensitive animals. They need lots of care, attention and grooming to stay healthy. The right brush can make the job easier for both you and your horse. But how do you know which one is best?
There are a variety of horse brushes on the market, each designed for a different purpose. Here is a guide to help you choose the best grooming brushes for your horse. You’ll need to consider the different brushes available, their purposes, and your horse’s unique needs.
The Different Types of Horse Grooming Brushes
Grooming is an important part of caring for your horse. It’s a time-consuming process that needs to be done on a regular basis to keep your horse healthy and happy.
There are several brushes that belong in every grooming kit. Each one serves a different purpose. These include:
Stiff Brushes
Stiff brushes are great for removing dirt, mud, and dried sweat from your horse’s coat. They are also good for getting rid of any loose hair. If your horse is sensitive, the stiff bristles can be tough on your horse’s skin, so be sure to use them gently.
How to Use a Stiff Brush on Your Horse
These brushes are usually used after you curry your horse. Brush in the direction of the hair. Use firm, swift strokes to brush away loose hair and dirt.
Dandy Brushes
Another type of brush that’s tough on dirt is the dandy brush. High quality dandy brushes are usually made of natural bristles, while other types may be made of synthetic bristles.
How to Use a Dandy Brush
These brushes are usually used on a horse’s legs. The bristles are tough enough to remove mud and dirt, but they’re also soft enough to avoid irritating the skin (unless your horse is sensitive). Use downward strokes. You may need to go over the legs several times to remove dried mud.
Soft Brushes (or Body Brushes)
Soft brushes for horses are used to remove dust and dirt from the coat. They’re the final touch after using a stiff brush. Stiff brushes alone are not enough to remove all the dust from your horse. They get rid of dirt, sure, but they leave dust behind. A soft brush can help remove any dirt and hair and smooth the coat. They are also good for distributing natural oils throughout the coat, which helps to keep it healthy and shiny.
How to Use a Soft Brush on Your Horse
These brushes can be used all over the horse’s body. Be firm but gentle. When you get to the end of your strokes, flick your wrist a bit to release any dirt or hair that’s clinging to the bristles.
Face Brushes
Horse face brushes are like body brushes, except smaller. They’re made up of the same soft bristles and are used to remove dust from the face and head. These brushes are important because they help keep your horse’s eyes and nostrils clean.
How to Use a Face Brush on Your Horse
Use gentle strokes when brushing your horse’s face. You don’t want to irritate the eyes or the sensitive skin around the nostrils. Start at the top of the head and work your way down. If your horse doesn’t tolerate a face brush well, you may need to use a soft cloth instead.
Mane and Tail Brushes
These brushes are designed specifically for brushing the horse’s mane and tail. They look a lot like a human hairbrush, actually. Some have stiff bristles, while others have plastic prongs.
How to Use a Mane Brush for Horses
It’s best to groom your horse’s mane and tail after you curry and use a stiff brush, but before you use the soft brush. You may get some dust on your horse’s coat when brushing out the mane and tail, so this way you can brush it off with a soft brush.
Like you would with human hair, start at the ends and untangle them as you slowly work your way up. Yanking the brush down through the mane will cause it to snarl, and you’ll tangle your brush in the ends. Yikes!
The Right Order to Use Horse Grooming Brushes
- Start with a curry comb.
- Use a stiff brush to remove the loose hair and dust the currycomb stirred up.
- Brush your horse’s mane (and tail, if you choose).
- Use a soft brush to apply the finishing touch to your horse’s coat.
- Gently use a face brush on your horse’s face (or a soft cloth if your horse doesn’t like its face brushed).
- Finish things off with fly spray if necessary.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Brushes for Your Horse
There are several factors you need to consider when choosing brushes for your horse. These include:
Wood vs Plastic
There are two primary types of handles on brushes: wood and plastic.
The biggest difference between the two types of handles is that wood is usually more comfortable and provides better grip. The downside is that they may be difficult to clean if they get wet or dirty. Plastic, you can just wipe down. Wood you may damage by cleaning if it doesn’t have the proper varnish.
Synthetic vs Natural Bristles
There are two types of bristles used on horse brushes: synthetic and natural.
Which one is better? That depends on your needs and preferences.
Synthetic bristles are made from plastic or other man-made materials. They’re cheaper than natural bristles, and they’re also more durable.
Natural bristles are made from materials like horsehair, boar’s hair, or plant fibers. They’re softer than synthetic bristles and won’t irritate the skin as much. They’re also more of an eco-friendly option.
Size
The size of the brush is also something to consider. You want a brush that’s comfortable for you to hold and that can reach all the areas you need to groom. If you have small hands, you may find some brushes clunky and difficult to maneuver.
Price
Price, of course, is another factor to consider. Horse brushes can range in price wildly. It all depends on the quality of the materials and the brand.
Some people believe that you get what you pay for when it comes to horse brushes. Others find that they can get just as good of a brush for a fraction of the price.
Separate Pieces vs Full Kit
Another thing to keep in mind is whether you want to buy your brushes one by one, or buy a full grooming kit that includes brushes, curry combs, hoof picks, and more.
Sometimes, you can save money by buying a full kit if you need a variety of supplies. If you only need a couple of brushes to add to your collection, then you’ll likely want to buy the pieces separately.
Your Horse’s Sensitivity
Every horse is different, so it’s important to consider your horse’s sensitivities when choosing brushes. If your horse has sensitive skin, you’ll want to use softer bristles so you don’t irritate them.
Time of Year
Believe it or not, the time of year can also play a role in which horse brushes you choose. In the winter, your horse has more of a protective coat, so a soft brush may not be as effective. In the spring, when your horse is shedding their winter coat, you’ll want to use a stiffer brush to help remove all the loose hair and then a soft brush to remove some of the dust.
Once you weigh the different factors and decide the types of brushes you need, you’ll be able to purchase grooming brushes for horses with confidence!