Grooming your horse before riding - how to do it right

Cover image: AI-generated illustration (symbolic image)

The first contact of the day often already determines the mood in the saddle: a horse that stretches its neck attentively, breathes out in a relaxed way while being groomed and likes to be touched starts work differently. Grooming your horse before riding is therefore much more than quickly reaching for the brush so that the coat looks clean. It is a daily check-up glance, preparation for the saddle and a calm moment that strengthens your connection.

Especially when everyday life is busy, it is tempting to quickly brush over mud spots and ride off. But under the saddle, girth or bridle, even small bits of dirt, dried sweat or matted hair can rub unpleasantly. Careful grooming is a quiet form of attention - out of love for your horse and for a good feeling in every training session.

Why you should groom your horse thoroughly before riding

When grooming, you see and feel things that can easily stay hidden under a cooler rug or when walking past quickly: a warm spot on the leg, a small swelling, sensitivity to pressure at the withers or a rubbed spot in the girth area. 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 question of comfort. Sand, soil and dried sweat act like fine sandpaper under tack. The back, saddle area, girth area, chest and the area behind the elbows should therefore be cleaned particularly carefully. Where leather and girth lie against the horse, you need not just a superficially clean impression, but really smooth, loose hair.

A suitable grooming routine follows a calm sequence. Circular movements with a curry comb loosen dust and dandruff, which a brush then picks up. Many horses visibly enjoy this rhythm. Some, however, are ticklish or jumpy in certain places. Pressure and tools should always be guided by the horse, not by a rigid rule.

Grooming your horse before riding: the sensible order

Start by arriving calmly. Tie your horse up safely, talk to it and take a first look over its whole body. Is it standing evenly? Does it seem alert and relaxed? Are the legs, eyes and nostrils unremarkable? These few seconds turn routine into real, attentive care.

Loosen coarse dirt first

Dry 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. Use it in circular movements over the well-muscled areas such as the neck, shoulder, body and croup. Leave out bony points, the spine, legs and head - these areas are finer and need a gentler hand.

If the dirt is still wet, patience pays off. Wet mud often just smears in the coat and is much more pleasant to remove later. If your horse still has to be ridden, focus consistently on all areas where the tack sits. A clean back and a clean girth area take priority over a flawless croup.

Removing dust from the coat

After the curry comb comes a firm body brush or dandy brush. Brush in the direction of the hair with long, calm strokes and clean the brush on the curry comb in between. This way the loosened dust is not carried back into the coat. Especially with a thick winter coat, this step can be given a little more time.

On the legs, belly, head and finer areas, a softer brush is the better choice. A gentle mane brush or a soft cloth gently picks up dust around the eyes, nostrils and mouth. For these areas: less pressure, more feeling. If possible, use a separate, clean cloth for the eyes and nostrils instead of transferring dirt from the body there.

Do not put off the hooves

The hooves are part of the preparation before any work. Pick them up calmly, remove little stones, soil and manure and take a look at the sole, frog and hoof wall. If the frog smells unusual or is very soft, crumbly or sensitive to pain, this should not simply be ignored. Depending on the horse, management and season, tailored hoof care can also make sense.

When picking out the hooves, always work from the tip of the frog towards the heel and avoid pressure in the frog groove. A horse that cannot or will not hold up its hoof does not need hasty 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 tack are non-negotiable. Run the flat of your hand against the direction of the hair over the back. This way you will feel crumbs, burrs or dried-on spots that a brush can miss. The hair there should be clean, dry and lie smooth before the saddle pad is put on.

Dust, sweat residue and loose hair tend to collect in the girth area. A soft but thorough brush prevents them from compacting under the girth. Also pay attention to the hair behind the front legs and to possible rubbed spots. If you discover redness or bald patches, always check the fit and cleanliness of your equipment as well as the grooming.

The mane and tail do not have to look immaculate before riding. But they should be free of large burrs so that nothing gets caught under the reins, martingale or rug. When detangling, always start at the ends and work your way up slowly. Individual knots can often be loosened more gently with your fingers than with vigorous brushing.

The right brushes make the difference

A lovely grooming routine does not depend on as many tools as possible, but on brushes that sit comfortably in the hand and suit your horse's coat. Soft bristles pick up 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 finer areas.

For the basic kit, a curry comb, a firm body brush, a soft brush, a hoof pick and a clean cloth are enough. Additions such as a mane comb, tail brush or special face sponge can then be chosen to suit your everyday routine exactly. High-quality materials and careful workmanship are not a side issue here: they make daily use more pleasant, more robust and often more precise too.

A well-organised grooming bag ensures that everything stays to hand and the brushes are transported cleanly. Brushes should be regularly tapped out, washed and dried completely. A dusty body brush not only spreads dirt in the coat, it also picks up less dust. At Equimour, exactly this combination of function, beautiful materials and a conscious feel for care is a matter of the heart.

How much grooming before riding is right?

That depends on the weather, management, 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, it takes more time - or the decision to schedule the riding session later when the coat is dry again.

You can also plan more generously during the coat change. Loose hair can compact under the saddle pad and make the horse warmer. At the same time, some horses are more ticklish 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 horse that flinches quickly during grooming copes better with short, clear routines and soft brushes, while a hardy horse living in an open stable enjoys vigorous currying. Watch the ears, mouth, tail and muscles. They often show you more honestly than any guide 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 otherwise easily gets lost: the familiar smell of the coat, the quiet scraping in the stable aisle, your horse's relaxed gaze. These minutes do not 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.

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