The Importance of Horse Care: Why Regular Brushing is Essential

Regular care of a horse is not only important for its cleanliness and appearance, but also has many other benefits for the horse's well-being and health. In this blog post we will explain the importance of horse care and especially brushing. We'll also discuss the different types of brushes that should be in every grooming bag, as well as possible reasons why some horses don't like being brushed.

Why do horses need to be brushed?

There are several important reasons for brushing horses regularly. Firstly, it removes dirt, dust and loose hair from the coat, improving overall cleanliness. In addition, brushing promotes blood circulation in the skin and stimulates sebum production, resulting in a healthy and shiny coat. Brushing can also detect injuries, parasites or skin diseases at an early stage.

Horse care has numerous benefits that go beyond cleaning. Intensive observation of the horse, where changes in behavior, skin or general condition can be quickly recognized, is extremely important. This can help identify health problems early and act accordingly. Horse care also promotes the horse's relaxation and well-being as it offers caresses and massage effects. It can also reduce stress and anxiety and increase trust between horse and rider. It strengthens the relationship between man and horse as it is a form of touch and trust building.

What is a body brush and where does the name come from?

The brush brush is a type of brush that is primarily used to remove dust and loose hair from fur. The name “card brush” comes from the Latin word “carduus,” which means “thistle.” Originally, the brush was actually made from the thorns of the thistle plant to brush horse fur. Nowadays, however, most body brushes are made of plastic bristles or, ideally, natural fibers.

Which brushes should every cleaning bag be without?

• Grooming comb: A currycomb has short, hard bristles and is used to remove stubborn dirt or dried sweat from the coat.

• Body brush: As already mentioned, the body brush is ideal for removing dust and loose hair from the coat. It has longer, softer bristles than the curry comb.

• Root Brush: This brush has stiff, short bristles and is used to remove dirt from the sole of the hoof.

• Mane and Tail Brush: A soft, long-bristled brush to detangle tangles in your mane and tail.

• Hoof Pick: A tool with a curved metal hook used to remove dirt from hoof crevices.

Why do some horses not like being brushed?

There are various reasons why some horses don't like being brushed. One reason could be pain or discomfort, for example due to sensitive skin or injuries. In such cases, it is important to be careful and use the brushes gently and wisely. Another reason could be a negative past experience that the horse associates with brushing. In such cases, it is important to build trust and approach brushing slowly and carefully. Some horses simply have a sensitive reaction to touch or are generally restless. Patience and a sensitive approach are required here to slowly get the horse used to brushing.