It is important to groom your pony on a regular basis, and always before riding.
Why: Dried mud underneath your tack can be very uncomfortable for your pony, or even rub their skin raw.
Familiarise yourself with all the items in your grooming kit, each one has a special purpose and way to use.
With all brushes, you should stand at the horses shoulder on the left side, using your left hand to brush, and your right hand on the ponies side so they can feel where you are.
Begin by brushing behind the ear, and work your way down. When you reach the horses shoulder, switch hands to brush the rest of the horse.
Why: To keep you standing in the safest position where the horse can see you.
Note: Never sit or kneel down around your pony, you must always be able to move out of the way quickly if need be.
1. Begin with your Curry comb, used in a circular motion with a moderate amount of pressure.
Why: Loosens dried mud, brings up dirt and dust from deep in the coat.
2. Next, use your dandy brush to flick off the dirt and dust. Clean the dandy brush with the curry comb.
3. The body brush is used next to smooth over the coat and remove dust. Clean it regularly with the curry comb to avoid putting the dust back on the horse.
4. Use the mane and tail brush on the mane. Begin by brushing the bottom of the mane, working your way up until you can run the brush through from root to tip smoothly.
5. Now for the tail. Stand on the horses left side, facing backwards. Hold a small section of the tail in your left hand, brush in your right hand. Use the brush in the same manner as for the mane, always being sure to brush below your hand hold. This prevents you pulling the hair out from the roots.
Tip: Using a detangling spray makes brushing out tails much easier, be sure to check that your horse is accepting of the spray, and stand in a safe position to apply.
6. Picking out the hooves. Stand at the horses shoulder on the left side, facing backwards. Run your left hand down the horses leg, giving a squeeze around their fetlock to encourage them to lift the foot. Cradle the foot in your left hand with an over and under technique as shown. Hold the hoof pick in your right hand, as shown, and pick from heel to toe, avoiding the frog.