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March 2018 THE HORSE TheHorse.com
SHELLEY
PAULSON
KATIE NAVARRA
Elevate your grooming routine with these tips
DETAILING
Equine
B
asic grooming skills are a key component of horse care. Most horse
owners appreciate the value of a thorough grooming session: A
curry comb loosens deep dirt and dander and encourages circula-
tion; a dandy brush whisks away loosened crud; a soft finishing
brush brings the coat's natural oils to the surface for an eye-catching shine.
Grooming's benefits extend beyond a sharp appearance and an invigorating massage. A
daily pre-ride grooming provides competitive riders an opportunity to check for cuts, bumps,
and even ticks. For recreational horse owners who might ride less frequently, grooming a few
days a week is recommended for the same reasons.
"You can see if there is muscle soreness or heat," says Max Corcoran, a freelance profes-
sional groom. She has worked for Olympians Karen and David O'Connor for 11 years and is
on staff at the Equine Management Training Center, in Axton, Virginia.
Daily grooming sessions afford Corcoran the opportunity to get her hands on horses and
catch issues early. "I might not realize a horse is sore until I curry his back," she says. "If he
Trimming the hairs along the
coronet band and pastern
helps keep dirt and moisture
from creating a potentially
skin-problem-inducing mess.