Review of Grooming

Bathing and Blanketing your Horse

Equine Science 1

Horse Maintenance Unit

What is this grooming tool?

Curry

Comb

What kind of brush is shown?

Dandy brush

What is the second type of brush?

Soft Bristled

Brush

This is used for mane and tail?

Pulling Comb

Bathing and Blanketing

When to bathe horses…

Some say never because natural oils are removed.

Most show horses are bathed a few days prior to a show so they will regain their sheen.

Too frequent use of soap – dry skin and dull coat PICTURE OF SOAPS

Basics of bathingKeep horse from catching cold:

Outdoor temp = 50 F or higher

Bathe earlier in the day so they’ll be dry by night (cooler time)

PICTURE OF THERMOMETER

Cover with a cooler(pic of a cooler)

Use a sweat scraper – helps dry faster

Sweat scraper – grooming tool used to scrap sweat or water from horse’s coat

(pic of seat scraper)

Use warm water, shampoo, rinse

Use sponge if running water or hose frighten the horse

Begin behind the ears and proceed to the tail

Scrub one section at a time

SPONGE BEING USED ON HORSE

Keep washing and rinsing until suds stay white

Never allow soap to get into horse’s ears

Always wash under the tailSweat collects there and causes

irritation

PICTURE OF SUDS ON HORSE

Males need special treatmentBathing the stallion or gelding

Sheath (fold of skin over penis) needs to be cleaned

Smegma – smelly black secretion that is dirt collected outside the sheath (it can cause irritation and infection)

PICTURE OF SMEGMA

Vet or experienced horse handler may be needed to help safely clean the sheath

PICTURE OF SOMEONE WASHING SHEATH

Blanketing your Horse

Confined horses may need blankets during cold for warmth but those left outside usually develop their winter coat

LONG WINTER COAT ON HORSE OUTDOORS

Why blanket?Show horses –

protects coats from sun bleaching (during summer)

Used during spring along with lighted stalls to “fool” the horse into early shedding of winter coat

May prevent them from growing long winter coat

Other reasons…Helps to keep coat cleanerRacehorses are blanketed in

cool weather to keep them from cooling too fast when “cooling out” after exercise

PICTURE OF RACEHORSE AFTER BEING WORKED OUT

Proper use of blankets

Proper fitSo that hair isn’t rubbed off Watch shoulders, withers,

chest, and top of tail for signs of blanket rubbing

PICTURE OF Blanket near chest

Heavy or light weight blanket?

Determine how heavy a blanket is needed based on weather conditions and climate

Sheet should be light enough to keep the horse from sweating