You feel a sense of dread as the days start getting shorter. The air has a distinct new chill to it, and right on cue, your horse sprouts a longer, thicker coat with every passing day.If you plan...
Everyone has their own horse-grooming routine. Favorite brush, mane conditioner, bathing ritual—you name it.There are many right ways to groom, but some myths linger in the barn aisles when it comes to specifics. Let’s shed some light on...
Q: With show season coming up, is it truly harmful to shave/trim a horse’s facial whiskers since they are "connected" to their brain cells?A: You’ve asked a fascinating question, as there’s much more to whiskers than meets the...
Illustrations by Tami Zigo
It’s that time of year when horses and ponies start growing hair—lots of hair. If you ride frequently in the winter months, your shaggy horse probably gets pretty sweaty when you ride him, and, because it’s...
There’s nothing else quite like it: We’ve all done a double-take when a horse goes by with a blindingly shiny coat. Whether or not you show your horse, you’d probably rather he have a shiny coat than a dull...
Time, or more specifically a lack of time, seems to dictate our lives these days. Our horses are often an escape from the pressures of the outside world, but even barn time sometimes succumbs to real-world demands. As much...
It’s a universal truth of horse ownership that the dirtier you get, the cleaner your horse becomes. There are no real shortcuts to a well-groomed horse, but you can optimize your results by grooming smarter. Here are some horse...
Consistent daily grooming keeps your horse looking good and makes the job easier. Whether you’re getting ready for a show or are short on time to tack up and ride, regular maintenance helps ensure you won’t have to do...
Everyone wants a gorgeous tail in the show-ring. Once you get to the bigger stock-breed shows, tail extensions are common. Check with your association’s rules, however, before you spring for a tail extension. Arabians and Morgans, for example, must...
While a shiny coat begins with proper nutrition, professional horsemen do have some tricks up their sleeves in show day grooming to give their horse’s coats some extra sparkle. Incorporate some or all of these tips into your show-day horse...
