Equine Ownership

Summer Grooming Tips from Head to Tail

Time to head to the shows (or just show your horse some love); here are some handy tips to make your grooming sessions a breeze.

A show-ring-ready, shiny horse is the picture of good health. (Viktoria Makarova/stock.adobe.com)

In Partnership with: W.F. Young | May 16, 2023

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you're listening to an article from horse sport.com. summer grooming tips from head to tail in partnership with: w.f. young. summer is nearly here and with it comes more time in the saddle, relaxing trail rides and long days at the horse show. you want your horse looking their absolute best for all of it; here are some handy tips to make your grooming sessions a breeze. one product that every groom’s kit shouldn’t be without to make their job easier – even if you never compete at shows – is showsheen® original hair polish & detangler. as the name implies, it is a trusted, effective detangler for those high-maintenance tails and fussy manes, proven to reduce hair breakage by 40%. but it also has many other handy uses:. as a burr-remover: quickly and easily remove sticky ‘hitchhikers’ from manes, tails and fetlocks. spray the affected area, allow it to absorb for a moment, and the burrs will slide right out. spray it all over your horse’s coat (except the saddle area if you are planning to ride) to reduce static and repel dust to keep your clean horse clean longer. if you apply showsheen before turnout, it can even help prevent mud from sticking! contains provitamins to nourish coats and silk proteins to strengthen manes and tails for an overall healthier appearance. more grooming quick tips:. 1. the most important step to a shiny coat is good nutrition, so make sure your horse’s feeding plan is sound and appropriate for his level of work. advertisement scroll to continue with content 2. for the shiniest coat, using curry gloves or a rubber curry comb first brings the dust and dander to the surface. use a stiff dandy after, then curry, brush, curry, brush. finish by wiping with a soft, clean towel or sheepskin mitt. apply a light layer of showsheen® hair polish & detangler for a gleaming shine. 3. always bathe your horse after a workout, as sweaty areas under the saddle pad will bleach out in the sun and attract bacteria. it’s a good idea to use a deep-cleaning, nourishing shampoo to prevent dry skin and strengthen mane and tail hair. 4. be careful with fragile manes and tails; avoid plastic curry combs and if you use a metal comb proceed carefully to avoid breakage. fingers work best to deal with really stubborn knots; apply showsheen® hair polish & detangler to loosen first. 5. be sure to wash your grooming brushes regularly – the cleaner the brush, the cleaner the horse! the best method is to put them in a mesh bag in the washing machine on a delicate cycle with a little laundry soap. air dry. do this at least once a week. 6. some horses hate having their face washed, so make sure the water pressure is gentle and don’t spray water in their ears or eyes. a wet sponge also does the trick. 7. keep a whitener/stain remover handy to keep white socks sparkling and tackle any last-minute slobber stains. baby wipes, cornstarch or vinegar can work as well. 8. dirty or ill-fitting tack like bridles, breastplates, girths and leg boots can cause rubs and hair breakage and loss. make sure they are cleaned after use with warm water and then a good saddle soap or leather wash product. 9. bits need love too, so wash off any grass and goop after each ride so it doesn’t harden. 10. apply a good hoof product as a finishing touch to add shine, condition and moisturize the hooves. remember, regular grooming sessions allow horse owners to become familiar with what is ‘normal’ for their particular horse, making them better able to recognize when something is ‘off’. this can include heat in a tendon, soreness in the back, moving away from pressure or exhibiting any signs of discomfort or irritation. so grab that grooming kit and get to work! &&>

Summer is nearly here and with it comes more time in the saddle, relaxing trail rides and long days at the horse show. You want your horse looking their absolute best for all of it; here are some handy tips to make your grooming sessions a breeze.

One product that every groom’s kit shouldn’t be without to make their job easier – even if you never compete at shows – is ShowSheen^®Original Hair Polish & Detangler. As the name implies, it is a trusted, effective detangler for those high-maintenance tails and fussy manes, proven to reduce hair breakage by 40%. But it also has many other handy uses:

As a burr-remover: Quickly and easily remove sticky ‘hitchhikers’ from manes, tails and fetlocks. Spray the affected area, allow it to absorb for a moment, and the burrs will slide right out.
Spray it all over your horse’s coat (except the saddle area if you are planning to ride) to reduce static and repel dust to keep your clean horse clean longer.
If you apply ShowSheen before turnout, it can even help prevent mud from sticking!
Contains provitamins to nourish coats and silk proteins to strengthen manes and tails for an overall healthier appearance.

More Grooming Quick Tips:

1. The most important step to a shiny coat is good nutrition, so make sure your horse’s feeding plan is sound and appropriate for his level of work.

Scroll to continue with content

A woman applying ShowSheen to a horse's tail.

ShowSheen takes care of even the most tangled tails.

2. For the shiniest coat, using curry gloves or a rubber curry comb first brings the dust and dander to the surface. Use a stiff dandy after, then curry, brush, curry, brush. Finish by wiping with a soft, clean towel or sheepskin mitt. Apply a light layer of ShowSheen® Hair Polish & Detangler for a gleaming shine.

3. Always bathe your horse after a workout, as sweaty areas under the saddle pad will bleach out in the sun and attract bacteria. It’s a good idea to use a deep-cleaning, nourishing shampoo to prevent dry skin and strengthen mane and tail hair.

4. Be careful with fragile manes and tails; avoid plastic curry combs and if you use a metal comb proceed carefully to avoid breakage. Fingers work best to deal with really stubborn knots; apply ShowSheen^®Hair Polish & Detangler to loosen first.

5. Be sure to wash your grooming brushes regularly – the cleaner the brush, the cleaner the horse! The best method is to put them in a mesh bag in the washing machine on a delicate cycle with a little laundry soap. Air dry. Do this at least once a week.

6. Some horses hate having their face washed, so make sure the water pressure is gentle and don’t spray water in their ears or eyes. A wet sponge also does the trick.

7. Keep a whitener/stain remover handy to keep white socks sparkling and tackle any last-minute slobber stains. Baby wipes, cornstarch or vinegar can work as well.

8. Dirty or ill-fitting tack like bridles, breastplates, girths and leg boots can cause rubs and hair breakage and loss. Make sure they are cleaned after use with warm water and then a good saddle soap or leather wash product.

9. Bits need love too, so wash off any grass and goop after each ride so it doesn’t harden.

10. Apply a good hoof product as a finishing touch to add shine, condition and moisturize the hooves.

Remember, regular grooming sessions allow horse owners to become familiar with what is ‘normal’ for their particular horse, making them better able to recognize when something is ‘off’. This can include heat in a tendon, soreness in the back, moving away from pressure or exhibiting any signs of discomfort or irritation. So grab that grooming kit and get to work!