Review of Grooming Bathing and Blanketing your Horse Equine Science 1 Horse Maintenance Unit

What is this grooming tool? Curry Comb

What kind of brush is shown? Dandy brush

What is the second type of brush? Soft Bristled Brush

This is used for mane and tail? Pulling Comb

Bathing and Blanketing

When to bathe horses…  Some say never because natural oils are removed.  Most show horses are bathed a few days prior to a show so they will regain their sheen.  Too frequent use of soap – dry skin and dull coat PICTURE OF SOAPS

Basics of bathing  Keep horse from catching cold:  Outdoor temp = 50 F or higher  Bathe earlier in the day so they’ll be dry by night (cooler time) PICTURE OF THERMOMETER

 Cover with a cooler (pic of a cooler)  Use a sweat scraper – helps dry faster  Sweat scraper – grooming tool used to scrap sweat or water from horse’s coat (pic of seat scraper)

Use warm water, shampoo, rinse  Use sponge if running water or hose frighten the horse  Begin behind the ears and proceed to the tail  Scrub one section at a time SPONGE BEING USED ON HORSE

 Keep washing and rinsing until suds stay white  Never allow soap to get into horse’s ears  Always wash under the tail  Sweat collects there and causes irritation PICTURE OF SUDS ON HORSE

Males need special treatment  Bathing the stallion or gelding  Sheath (fold of skin over penis) needs to be cleaned  Smegma – smelly black secretion that is dirt collected outside the sheath (it can cause irritation and infection) PICTURE OF SMEGMA

 Vet or experienced horse handler may be needed to help safely clean the sheath PICTURE OF SOMEONE WASHING SHEATH

Blanketing your Horse  Confined horses may need blankets during cold for warmth but those left outside usually develop their winter coat LONG WINTER COAT ON HORSE OUTDOORS

Why blanket?  Show horses –  protects coats from sun bleaching (during summer)  Used during spring along with lighted stalls to “fool” the horse into early shedding of winter coat  May prevent them from growing long winter coat

Other reasons…  Helps to keep coat cleaner  Racehorses are blanketed in cool weather to keep them from cooling too fast when “cooling out” after exercise PICTURE OF RACEHORSE AFTER BEING WORKED OUT

Proper use of blankets  Proper fit  So that hair isn’t rubbed off  Watch shoulders, withers, chest, and top of tail for signs of blanket rubbing PICTURE OF Blanket near chest

Heavy or light weight blanket?  Determine how heavy a blanket is needed based on weather conditions and climate  Sheet should be light enough to keep the horse from sweating