ISPMB Offers Valuable Advice on Grooming Horses

While wild horses do survive without being groomed, after adopting them, it is important to take care of their hoof and mane effectively, to ensure that optimal well-being. The volunteers of International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros and ISPMB mention that it is vital for any person adopting a horse to feed them right, make sure that they have the needed vitamins and nutrients, see to it that they get to live in a proper clean home, and are adequately groomed.  A well-groomed horse will not just look good, but also feel better.

Horses that are prone to roaming outside have grease in their coats that allows them to stay dry and warm. The volunteers at ISPMB, however, do remark that the feet and hooves of these horses have to be cleaned properly as they are prone to getting into the mud. International Society for the Protection of Mustangs was developed with the aim of protecting and preserving wild horses and burros and their habitat on public lands. Even though wild horses may need comparatively lesser grooming efforts than their domesticated variants, horse owners should not ignore their grooming essentials at all. Proper, regular grooming will contribute to the well-being and happiness of the horse. One can simply give their horse quick grooming in the morning before training, to make sure they are comfortable. Nothing much is needed for this purpose, just picking out the feet, giving a light brushing, and sponging the face and dock shall be enough. This swift grooming routine can be helpful in assessing any injuries, weight loss, or other changes in the horse.

According to the volunteers of ISPMB, here are a few aspects one must focus on when it comes to horse grooming:

• Removing mud: People should always start with the hooves when cleaning the mud. It will be smart to pull the hoof pick down each side of the frog from heel to toe. This shall aid in removing any caked mud or manure. One might also have to run the pick along the inside of the shoe. Subsequent to cleaning the hooves, it shall be the time to move to their body. One should remove any dried mud from their body with the help of a rubber curry comb or dandy brush.  It is vital to brush in a straight line, as per the direction of hair growth. As the bristles of a dandy brush are relatively harsh, it is smart to avoid using it on tender areas of the body like the belly and clipped areas
• Brushing the body and tail: While brushing the horses, it will be ideal to start along the crest of their neck.  Adequate pressure should be applied while doing so that the bristles reach down to the skin. After their crest has been properly attended to, any tangles from their mane must be removed.

If some areas of a horse need more attention, then light sponging can be done for them.