Grooming your horse before riding - how to do it right

The first contact of the day often determines the mood in the saddle: A horse that attentively stretches its neck, exhales in relaxation while being groomed, and enjoys being touched starts its work differently. Grooming your horse before riding is therefore much more than just a quick grab for the brush to make the coat look clean. It is a daily health check, a preparation for the saddle, and a quiet moment that strengthens your bond.

Especially when daily life is busy, the temptation is to quickly brush over mud spots and start riding. But under the saddle, girth, or bridle, even small remnants of dirt, dried sweat, or matted hair can cause uncomfortable chafing. Diligent grooming is a quiet form of attention - for the love of the horse and for a good feeling during every training session.

Why you should groom your horse thoroughly before riding

While grooming, you see and feel things that remain easily hidden under a sweat rug or when passing by quickly: a warm spot on a leg, a small swelling, sensitivity to pressure at the withers, or a sore spot where the girth sits. The better you know your horse, the sooner you will notice changes. This does not replace a veterinary examination, but it can help you pause in time and adjust the work.

A clean coat is also a matter of comfort. Sand, dirt, and dried sweat act like fine sandpaper under equipment. Therefore, the back, saddle area, girth area, chest, and the area behind the elbows should be cleaned particularly carefully. Where leather and girth rest, you don't just need a superficially clean appearance, but truly smooth, loose fur.

Circulation also benefits from a suitable grooming routine. Circular motions with a curry comb loosen dust and skin flakes, which a brush then picks up. Many horses visibly enjoy this rhythm. Some, however, are ticklish or sensitive in certain areas. Pressure and tools should always be adapted to the horse, not to a rigid rule.

Grooming your horse before riding: the logical order

Begin with a quiet arrival. Keep your horse securely held, speak to it, and take an initial look over its entire body. Is it standing evenly? Does it seem alert and relaxed? Are the legs, eyes, and nostrils normal? These few seconds turn a routine into real, attentive care.

First, loosen coarse dirt

Dried mud and dust are best loosened before you work with a soft brush. A rubber or plastic curry comb is ideal for this on the horse's body. Guide it in circular motions over the powerfully muscled parts such as the neck, shoulder, torso, and croup. Avoid bony areas, the spine, legs, and head—these areas are more sensitive and need a gentler hand.

If the dirt is still wet, patience pays off. Wet clay often just smears into the coat and can be removed much more comfortably later. If your horse must be ridden anyway, concentrate consistently on all areas where equipment will sit. A clean back and girth area take priority over a spotless croup.

Removing dust from the coat

After the curry comb comes a stiff dandy brush or root brush. Brush in the direction of the coat with long, calm strokes and clean the brush on the curry comb in between. This prevents the loosened dust from being carried back into the coat. Especially with thick winter fur, this step should be given a bit more time.

A softer brush is the better choice for the legs, belly, head, and more delicate parts. A gentle mane brush or a soft cloth picks up dust around the eyes, nostrils, and mouth without irritating the sensitive skin. For these areas: less pressure, more sensitivity. If possible, use a separate, clean cloth for eyes and nostrils rather than transferring dirt from the body to them.

Don't put off hoof care

Hooves are part of the preparation before every work session. Pick them up calmly, remove stones, dirt, and manure, and take a look at the sole, frog, and hoof wall. If the frog smells strange or is very soft, crumbly, or sensitive to pain, this should not simply be ignored. Depending on the horse, the type of housing, and the season, tailored hoof care can also be useful.

When picking out the hooves, always work from the tip of the frog toward the heel and avoid pressure in the frog sulcus. A horse that cannot or will not hold its hoof does not need a hectic correction. First, check whether it is standing uncomfortably, the leg is sensitive, or it is simply not yet balanced.

The saddle area, girth area, and head deserve extra attention

The areas under the equipment are non-negotiable. Stroke your flat hand against the direction of the hair over the back. This helps you feel crumbs, burrs, or dried spots that a brush might miss. The fur should lie clean, dry, and flat there before the saddle pad is placed on.

Dust, sweat residue, and loose hair tend to collect in the girth area. A soft but thorough brush prevents these from compacting under the girth. Also watch for hair behind the front legs and possible chafing points. If you discover redness or bald spots, always check the fit and cleanliness of your equipment in addition to the grooming.

Mane and tail don't need to look groomed to perfection before riding. However, they should be free of coarse burrs so that nothing gets caught under reins, martingales, or rugs. When detangling, always start at the ends and work your way up slowly. Using your fingers can often untangle individual knots more gently than vigorous brushing.

The right brushes make the difference

A nice grooming routine is not defined by having as many tools as possible, but by brushes that feel comfortable in your hand and match your horse's coat. Natural bristles absorb fine dust very well and leave a calm, well-groomed shine. Stronger bristles help with thick coats and dry dirt, while soft brushes show their strength on sensitive areas.

For basic equipment, a curry comb, a stiff dandy brush, a soft brush, a hoof pick, and a clean cloth are sufficient. Additions like a mane comb, tail brush, or special head sponge can then be tailored exactly to your daily routine. High-quality materials and careful workmanship are not secondary: they make daily use more pleasant, durable, and often more precise.

A well-organized grooming bag ensures that everything stays within reach and the brushes are transported cleanly. Brushes should be regularly tapped out, washed, and dried completely. After all, a dusty dandy brush doesn't just spread dirt in the coat, it also loses its grooming effect. At Equimour, this very combination of function, beautiful materials, and a conscious feeling of care is a matter of the heart.

How much grooming is right before riding?

That depends on the weather, the housing, the coat change, and the planned work. After a dry night on shavings, a short, focused routine of ten minutes is sometimes enough. After a rainy day in the paddock, more time is needed—or the decision to schedule the riding session later when the coat is dry again.

You should also plan more generously during the coat change. Loose hair can become compacted under the saddle pad and cause the horse to overheat. At the same time, the skin can be more sensitive during this period. It is better to work regularly and moderately than to try to brush everything out at once with a lot of pressure.

Not every horse loves long grooming sessions. A sensitive horse may relax better with short, clear routines and soft brushes, while a robust outdoor horse enjoys a vigorous massage with the curry comb. Observe the ears, mouth, tail, and muscles. They will show you more honestly than any instruction manual whether your horse finds the touch pleasant.

Grooming as a moment, not a duty

When you groom your horse, also take a moment for what easily goes unnoticed: the familiar smell of the coat, the quiet scraping in the stable aisle, the relaxed look of your horse. These minutes don't have to be perfect. They can be dirty, practical, and completely ordinary—as long as they remain attentive. That is exactly where the special beauty of good horse care lies.

← Zurück zum Journal