Summer is here, and that means more rides, more mud, and more grooming. Grooming not only keeps your horse looking shiny and healthy, but it also stimulates circulation, strengthens the bond between horse and rider, relieves muscle soreness through gentle massage, and supports healthy skin and coat.
Using the right supplies from trusted sources, such as the horse grooming supplies category on 1800PetMeds, can make daily grooming easier and more effective.
Daily Summer Grooming for Horses
The key to successful grooming is an effective routine. Frequent grooming gives you more opportunities to help your horse become comfortable with handling, so they learn to trust you and even enjoy the extra attention and care.
Daily grooming also gives you a chance to inspect your horse for bugs, debris, and signs of injury. During the warmer months, it is especially important to check for insects and skin irritation.
Grooming can also help ease the burden of shedding, so your horse transitions smoothly between their winter and summer coats.
Start by inspecting and cleaning your horse’s hooves. Stand facing the rear of your horse and encourage them to pick up their hoof by gently stroking their leg and giving a verbal cue such as “hoof.” Use a hoof pick to remove any dirt, stones, or debris from the frog of the hoof.
Once all four hooves are cleaned, you can move on to grooming the coat.
Brushing Your Horse
Use a rubber curry comb to remove dirt and bring loose hair to the surface. Work in a circular motion and focus on fleshy areas of the body. Avoid bony areas such as below the knees or along the spine. Applying steady pressure helps loosen dirt and hair more effectively.
Next, go over the entire body with a body brush. Body brushes have softer bristles than curry combs and help remove the hair and dirt that the curry comb loosened.
Finish with a soft brush to smooth the coat and create a sleek appearance. This also helps distribute natural skin oils across the coat, promoting a healthy shine.
Many horse owners also use coat conditioners and sprays from the horse grooming supplies category on 1800PetMeds to keep coats smooth and manageable during the summer.
Caring for Your Horse’s Mane and Tail
After brushing the body, comb out your horse’s mane and tail. Use a detangling spray or silicone coat spray before combing to help prevent breakage.
When working through tangles:
- Start by gently separating knots with your fingers
- Begin combing from the bottom of the tail
- Slowly work upward until the entire tail is detangled
Taking your time helps protect the hair and keeps your horse comfortable during grooming.
Feed for Skin and Coat Health
A healthy diet plays a major role in maintaining a shiny summer coat. Proper nutrition provides the vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids that support skin and coat health.
Many horse owners add supplements that contain omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, selenium, and B vitamins. Nutritional products found in the horse vitamins and supplements category on 1800PetMeds can help support overall coat condition and skin health throughout the summer months.
Consistent grooming combined with proper nutrition helps keep your horse comfortable, healthy, and looking their best all season long.
