Horse grooming
Proper use and technique helps to ensure the horse remains comfortable during the grooming process, and allows for greater ease in cleaning the animal.
Removal of mud and manure helps to prevent thrush,[1] a common hoof ailment which may cause lameness in very severe cases.
In the winter, hoof picking removes packed snow from the horse's hooves, which can cause uncomfortable "snowballs".
Additionally, when the hoof is cleaned, it can be visually inspected for puncture wounds, known as nail prick (which has the potential to be very serious if left untreated).
They must be trained to accept bathing, as a hose and running water are unfamiliar objects and initially may frighten a horse.
It is often best to check the rules, and to ask a horseman experienced in your discipline or breed of choice, before performing any type of trimming or clipping to a show horse.
Severely "incorrect" clipping is often considered a great faux pas in the horse world.
This can serve a practical purpose, as it keeps the horse more comfortable during work and helps cool down faster.
It can also serve an aesthetic purpose, as most horsemen agree a horse looks finer and more show-worthy with a shorter coat.
They must therefore be able to provide blanketing, and in some cases, stabling, for the horse if the temperature drops, or if there is a cold rain or snow.
Types of body clips include: The modern horse usually has its mane groomed to fit a particular breed, style, or practical purpose.
For informal pleasure riding, the mane is simply detangled with a brush or wide-toothed comb and any foreign material removed.
The mane may be kept in a long, relatively natural state, which is required for show by some breeds, particularly those used in Saddle seat style English riding competition.
Today, its purpose is primarily for tradition and to make it lay down flat and be easier to braid or band.
Basic tail grooming begins with simply brushing out foreign material, snarls, and tangles, sometimes with the aid of a detangling product.
However, the tail's main purpose is fly protection, and certain types of show grooming can inhibit the use of this natural defense.
In polo, draft horse showing and on Lipizzan horses that perform the capriole, the entire tail, dock, and skirt are generally braided and the braid is folded or rolled into a knot, with or without added ribbons and other decorative elements.
Sometimes the process is sped up by the controversial practice of nicking or cutting the check ligament that normally pulls the tail downward.
Highlighter is a gel, ointment or oil used to add shine and thus accentuate certain parts of the horse's face.
A number of products, usually in spray form, have been developed to add extra gloss, smoothness, or shine to a coat.
