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Grooming can be a wonderful, mutually satisfying process for you and your horse. Ideally, you will love the results of your labor, enjoy the process and your tools and your horse, even if sensitive to grooming, will love to be groomed and even look forward to it!
With the right tools and the proper techniques, the grooming process and your tools are a source of joy for you and your horse and you enjoy your high quality grooming tools for many years to come.
The reality can often look much different, however. But let's not spend too much time talking about stiff, scratchy synthetic brushes, bent bristles and horses that do not like to be brushed. Instead, let's focus on what you can do to create the ideal grooming situation for you and your horse, as described above. |
How to make your horse love to be groomed
Rule #1 - use tools that feel good
Naturally, most horses do love to be groomed. If it feels good, keep doing it! Grooming is a social activity amongst horses and even though your horse probably knows that you are not an equine, he welcomes your care and grooming and the physical contact, IF IT FEELS GOOD!
Remember, your horse's skin is more sensitive than is commonly realized.
She can feel a fly landing on her skin, so why should a metal curry comb feel good to her? The rule of thumb should be: if it feels good to you, it feels good to your horse (with slight variations, of course), or, if it looks painful and uncomfortable (see metal curry or stiff, prickly, bent synthetic bristles), then it probably is.
Using high quality natural bristle brushes - no synthetics, no metal - will make you much more popular with your horse during grooming time. It simply feels good! |
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How to get the well groomed look and health benefits for your horse
Rule #2 - use tools that can do the job
Rule #3 - use the right techniques
Of course it's not just all about how your horse feels, you also want your horse clean, shiny and healthy. And if you are like me, you'll want to do it naturally, without the use of chemicals. There are two factors that determine your results: a) grooming tools used and b) grooming technique.
On this page, we'll talk about the tools. You will find more information about technique here or here. First you'll need a soft rubber curry to bring up the dirt, then a flick or dandy brush to lift the dirt from the skin to the surface, clean off the bulk of it and distribute oils on the skin over the entire hair shaft (this is where the shine comes in, folks), then a short bristled natural bristle coat brush to clean the surfaced dirt off the coat and create shine. That's the basics and it will all feel really good to your horse and create the look of glowing health you so much like. To take it up a notch, use a soft goat hair brush or a lamb skin mitten (even a cloth diaper will do nicely) to remove any surface dust and bring on the gloss. Most horses like being groomed with a good quality dandy brush in their face, as well.
How to be satisfied with your tools for a long time and be good to the planet
Rule #4 - use sustainable, professional grade horse brushes, made from natural materials
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Generally, I prefer items made of sustainable materials and of good quality, which I can happily enjoy for a long time, then discard without regret when their useful life has expired. This also applies to horse grooming brushes. I want brushes that I can use, clean, enjoy, boil for disinfection and discard without guilt when the time comes without putting another piece of plastic on the land fill. In my opinion, cheap quality synthetic or broom-like horse hair brushes made in countries without regard for human or animal welfare, spoil my grooming fun.
It's clearly a part of a 'natural philosophy', beyond and as part of horsemanship. I mentioned chemicals above. Using the proper grooming techniques and best quality tools will spare you the 'shine spray'. You'll be surprised what you can do without and when it comes to chemicals and horses, the motto is 'less is more'. |
Horse Grooming Brush 'Nature'
Natural beech wood, coated with pure beeswax,
horse hair, coco fiber and leather strap |
How to tell if a horse grooming brush is of good quality
Rule #5 - If it ain't got that spring, it's not the right thing
- All brushes you use on your horse should be made of natural bristles to be gentle on your horse's skin without scratching and scraping.
- All brushes need to have 'spring' to it. When you flick the bristles, they need to flick back. Otherwise you are not removing any dirt. This is MOST IMPORTANT! Think of your dandy brush as a 'flick' brush. It needs to flick the dirt from the skin surface up to the coat surface, otherwise it's quite useless
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Where do I find high quality, professional grade, natural horse grooming brushes?
I am glad you asked.
You can purchase our Horse Wellness Brushes™ right here on our new Horse Wellness Webstore. These brushes are crafted by traditional brush manufacturer Leistner™ in Germany with a 130-year tradition. They are made from finest quality natural materials and many are ergonomically shaped, which makes them a pleasure to use without fatigue. Whether you are a pleasure rider, a serious amateur, an equestrian professional or professional horse care giver, you will love to work with these brushes. We thoroughly tested these brushes and guarantee them 100%: if you are not pleased, return your brushes within 30 days for a full refund.
Retailers interested in offering these fine brushes to their customers, please contact us via email or call (608) 513 8777. Thank you.
What other horse owners and handlers say about natural horse grooming brushes:
"Just wanted to let you know that I just received my brushes 10 minutes ago. :) I am extremely impressed at the quality of these brushes!!!... the quality is incredible and I'm already sure [my horse] will love them as I do (after buying so many different brushes for my picky boy, I know his taste.) Thank you so much and I will recommend these brushes to everyone!!! ;) Rocio Packard., MI
"My horse Gunner never liked to be groomed. Since I am using [natural] horse grooming brushes he stands still for grooming as long as we like to and he is loving it! My horse and I love those brushes..." Maryanne McKenzie, Middleton, WI
"Got my first order today--was so happy with them I decided to order one more! Thank you so much!!!" Nikki Maus, Springfield, MO
"I am in love with these brushes! I don’t like to groom very much, I’d rather be riding. So anything that helps speed up the grooming process and makes it more efficient is a plus in my books. I used my [natural] brushes today for the first time on my two very dirty horses, and I was frankly amazed! The flick brush really brought the dirt to the surface efficiently and fast, and then the body brush and the finishing brush made my horses gleam and sparkle. I spent about half the time I usually spend on grooming, and I got more than double the results. Thanks for introducing me to thess brushes ... they’re as close to “self grooming horses” as one can get!" Anke Johnson, Verona, WI
"Grace has never looked so good! Her coat is now shiny and feels like silk, with the dirt raised to the surface with the [natural] flick brush and removed with the horse hair brush, I then went over her again with the horse hair brush which really brought out the shine. She was very curious at first about what I was using, but once she checked them out and got into enjoying the grooming, she was signing with contentment and completely relaxed. So I can safely say [these] brushes are a hit with both of us!"
Tamara Parr, Beaver Dam, WI |
Enjoy your horse(s) and happy grooming!
Stefanie Reinhold
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