From presentation to hygiene: horse grooming is a fundamental part of caring for your horse. Whether you lean into hobbyist or the competitive side of horse riding, you need to ensure your animal is properly groomed and cleaned at regularly intervals.
Although horse grooming plays a crucial role in horse shows, eventing, dressage and equestrian showmanship, the central reasons for grooming your horse are far more profoundly associated with healthcare and building report. Regular grooming helps to improve and maintain your horse's skin and coat; minimises health problems and skin complaints; prevents chafing under tack; allows the rider to examine evidence of injury or more serious physical or psychological issues; and helps to bolster the relationship and intimacy between the rider and the horse.
So, where do I start?
There's no cutting corners when it comes to horse grooming, and you're going to what to have the right horse grooming tools to hand to make your grooming tasks and quick, simple and effective as possible. Typically a horse grooming kit will consist of brushes, combs, hoof picks, clippers, scissors and a range of shampoos. However, you can be as comprehensive as you like, so make sure you familiarise yourself with Waterman's huge range of Equestrian Grooming products to keep your horse's skin, mane, coat and tail in shimmering condition.
How Often Should I Groom My Horse?
Daily grooming is considered desirable for any horse, however, we recognise that this can be impractical and a lot is dependent on your horse's activity level and whether they are a competition horse.
It's always good to groom your horse before each ride, however, less active horses can be groomed maybe three or four times a week and a minimum of once or twice a week is essential for the health and overall appearance of any horse. Many hobbyist riders aim to groom their horse at least once a week whereas professional riders will groom their horse much more frequently.
What Do I Need In My Horse Grooming Kit?
At Waterman's Country Supplies, we've handpicked some of our very best, most popular and essential horse grooming products to create the ultimate kit for high-level healthcare, well-being and a stunning, show-ready appearance. Browse trusted brands Shapley's, Equine Products, Lincoln, Hy and more.
Add a fine, light shine to your horse's coat with this must-have conditioning oil from Shapley's. Not only does it smooth and soften horse hair, it also adds a fine layer of oil to the skin to replenish dry skin or a dry coat.
Shapley's Easy-Out No Rinse Shampoo
For last minute clean ups or cold conditions. This easy-out no rinse shampoo gets rid of stains, dirt and dust without your horse ever having to get wet. Grass, manure, mud and sweat will be effortlessly removed, leaving a mirror-like shine.
Remove tangles and enhance the natural colour and sheen of your horse's coat with Leovet Power Detangler. An essential for anyone looking for an extra long-lasting sheen with UV protection, easy combing and jaw-dropping smoothness.
Equine Products Tiger's Tongue
A sponge, curry comb and brillo pad - all-in-one. This revolutionary grooming tool can be used dry or wet with shampoo, swipes off dirt, buffs hoofs, erases sweat marks and massages your horse with a satisfying and stimulating effect.
Create perfect plaits with these high quality, stretchy plaiting bands. Available in a range of colours to suit the style you're going for.
A two-tone, soft-touch premium plastic mane and tail comb for a smart and effective look and feel. Available in a range of colours to mix and match with your other grooming tools.
Lincoln Horse Hoof Pick With Brush
This multipurpose grooming essential is a 2-in-1 brush and hoof pick that's made with a durable design, a metal pick and a nylon brush to remove all types of hoof dirt. Available in a range of different colours to choose from.
Lincoln Equestrian One Sided Thinning Scissors
Vital grooming scissors that will thin-out and tidy up your horse's mane and tail with a beautiful and professional finish. Made with premium steel blades and a robust plastic handle.
Supreme Products Unpicking Scissors
To add to your hair grooming needs, these unpicking scissors are handy, pocket-sized snipping scissors that can remove plaits and stray hairs effortlessly for a professional, neat and tidy look.
Wahl Bravura Lithium Ion Clipper
Powerful yet super quiet, this all-new and compact clipper tool can be operated both with a cord and cordlessly for easy and completely flexible use. The highly successful "5 in 1" snap on blade system offers unbeatable cutting performance and the The 'torque control' feature delivers extra power to the blades when they sense resistance.
Lincoln Microfibre Grooming Mitt
A must-have microfibre mitt, this grooming tool is great for removing dust and dirt from your horse. Lincoln mitts come in a range of colours to help you to coordinate or identify your grooming products more effectively.
HySHINE Deluxe Goat Hair Wooden Body Brush
This classic, dark brown lacquered oval brush comes with soft and natural goat hair bristles and a leather strap to make grooming even easier and more supportive. Available in different sizes to suit your precise grooming needs.
HySHINE Glitter Mane & Tail Brush
Get your horse's mane and tail sparkling with the Glitter Mane & Tail Brush from HYSHINE. Available in a range of two-tone colours, a round head and a glitter back, this brush is vital for getting manes and tails looking show-ready.
Hy Sport Active Groom Sponge Brush
This sponge-meets-brush is a brilliant and versatile grooming tool that will make bathing a breeze. Features a soft touch design, a large oval sponge and soft PP bristles.
Get rid of dirt and mud from your horse's coat with these vibrant curry combs for super simple body grooming. They come with an adjustable strap and small or large sizes for children and adults.
One of the softest horse grooming brushes you'll ever find. The Equerry Wooden Face Brush has been designed specifically to softly yet effectively groom all the delicate areas on your horse's face. Made with ultra-soft goat hair and a sanded wood back.
Lincoln Sisal Stain Removal Cactus Cloth
Lincoln Sisal Cactus Cloth makes sweat marks, grass, general dirt and stable stains vanish from your horse's coat. Completely natural and easy to use, every grooming kit needs cactus cloth to achieve a bright, professional shine.
Looking for a great all-in-one grooming kit? This Lister Star Horse Grooming Kit comes with brushes, hoof tools, shampoo, conditioner, a trimmer, combs and more to take the guesswork out of horse grooming. Every comes pack in a useful zip-up bag for easy storage and transportation.
