The awesome four

Grooming’s a big part of daily pony care and if your pony’s a mud monster, it can be really time consuming! You can buy so many different grooming products that it can be hard to know what to choose. So, let’s keep it simple with just four essential pieces of kit that’ll get your pony much tidier in no time. 

1. Pick of the bunch

The first, and most important, step is picking out your pony’s feet. Ideally you should do it when you bring him in from the field and once you’ve finished riding in case there are any little stones stuck in his feet. 

Working downwards from heel to toe, remove the mud and dirt with the pointy end of your hoof pick. Take care not to poke his frog with it because this could hurt him. 

Did you know? 

Grooming your pony not only improves your bond, it also helps to stimulate blood flow because it’s almost like a massage for him!

2, Feeling dandy

Dandy brushes, the hard-bristled ones, are sooo good at removing dried mud. Use in short, flicking or quick back-and-forth motions for maximum effect. You can use a dandy brush all over your pony’s body but avoid clipped areas because his skin will be more sensitive there. 

Top tip 

There are tonnes of lotions and potions you can buy to get your pony extra sparkling. The most useful one is mane and tail detangler – it’ll help you glide smoothly through the knots! 

Top tip

Make sure you clean your brushes regularly, ideally a couple of times a month. Your pony won’t be clean if you use dirty brushes!

3. Body moving

Once all the stubborn mud has been removed, use a body brush (this has much shorter, softer bristles) to get rid of loose dirt and hair. Start at the top of his neck and work your way down his body, finishing with his head. It’s best to use your body brush in a sweeping motion. 

4. Luscious locks

Now your pony’s body is clean, grab a mane and tail brush to banish the knots from his locks. Brush through your pony’s forelock and mane. Then, when it comes to his tail, stand to one side and detangle a small section at a time. 

Finished! 

This speedy groom is perfect for when you want to get on and ride after school. If you’re going to a comp you might want to spend more time thoroughly grooming but your pony doesn’t need to be sparkling clean for every ride. Just make sure he’s mud-free underneath where his tack sits otherwise it’ll rub.