Grooming Kit is the name given to the collection of brushes and combs that are needed to keep a horse clean, shining and healthy. Each brush or comb serves a different purpose and the most common items which form a grooming kit are listed below.
Dandy Brush
A brush with long stiff bristles used for removing dry surface dirt out of the coat, usually used on the less sensitive parts of the horse’s body.
Body Brush
This usually has either a hard or soft, often leather, back and is used to remove the grease and dust from the coat and can be used on sensitive areas such as the head. The Body Brush needs to be rubbed over a curry comb regularly during grooming.
Metal Curry Comb
These should never be used on the horse itself, but are used for removing dust and dirt from the Body Brush while grooming.
Rubber Curry Comb
Rubber curry combs are made specifically for the purpose removing mud and loose hair from the horse.
Water Brush
Used when applying water to the horse’s coat, mane or tail when dampening or washing.
Mane Comb
Most often metal, but sometimes plastic, these are used to comb the mane and tail of the horse. Short metal mane combs are also used to pull manes and there are special combs which can be used to cut the mane thinner.
Hoof Pick
Hoof Picks are either metal or plastic and are used for removing dirt and stones packed into the underside the horse’s hooves. It is worth tying a piece of baler twine on a hoof pick to prevent losing it in bedding or the bottom of the grooming kit box.
Cotton Wool or Sponge
Used for cleaning eyes, nose and dock area as well as cleaning wounds.
Sweat Scraper
Used to wipe away sweat or excess water from the horse after washing.
Stable Rubber
A stable rubber or good linen drying up cloth can be dampened and gently wiped over the body to give the horse a final polish.
Grooming Kit Box
A plastic container, box or a canvas bag with drawstring top all make excellent storage boxes for grooming kits.
