Product Review - FURminator deShedding Equine Tool

We got to try out a new product this weekend called the FURminator deShedding Equine Tool Fredi, Myself & Perry all flipped for it.

When I got my FURminator in the mail it was like Christmas so I ripped open the package. I couldn’t get to the barn right away so I had to test it out on the Pug. I don’t know if the rest of you are like me, but when I get something new especially for a horse I have to have it out of the package and play with it immediately. I brushed the dog and all of that dead under coat started coming out in the blade. He sat quietly and allowed me to brush him. When I use a regular brush he usually squirms around and looks at me with those big sad eyes. He is kind of fragile so it was nice that I could be gentle and the grooming tool still worked.

I had one horse left in the barn that had not yet shed out and I was saving the test for her, but by the time I had gotten to the barn her owner had come and groomed her for hours so I couldn’t do the true test I wanted to do.

I was left with Perry who still had a few spots of patchy winter hair. We grabbed the FURminator and dug in HARD. I’m so used to scrubbing hard with a rubber curry to pull out the winter hair. Perry’s head popped up in the air like, “WHOA! What are you doing?” I then realized, the tool required no effort and started to run it through her hair softly. The old hair was easily coming out along with a lot of dirt that was next to her skin. I couldn’t believe how much dirt actually came up to the surface without using any effort or any dirt flying into my face like it does with traditional grooming methods. Fredi took over the grooming and Perry was stretching her neck and her top lip started to quiver in enjoyment.

Fredi grabbed the next brush and brushed off all the dirt. Perry was now so clean, SHINY, and soft. Judging by her reaction and how she looked after her grooming session I would say Perry gave it four hooves up. I absolutely love this product, and I highly recommend it to anyone who would like to make grooming easier and have their horse’s hair coat shine.

The FURminator Company makes all kinds of products for Horses, Dogs, and Cats for healthy skin and coats. You can check it out HERE to see why I am so excited about it!

A list of retail locations can be found on www.FURminatorEquine.com

Deanna

Clipping A Bridle Path

I like to have a horse with a nice clean bridle path.  Obviously the horse looks nicer, but it is also functional.  The halter and bridle both can lay nice and flat on your horses head.

In this post I will describe in detail how to clip your horses bridle path.  I never tie or cross-tie a horse that I am going to clip, no matter how well behaved.  I don't want the horse to feel "threatened" by the confinement of the tie or cross-ties.  A lead rope and halter is all that you need.

This is Dusty.  She has ner natural mane, and as you can see the halter is a bit lost under all of that mane.  I do have a chain over her nose, which isn't nescessary for most horses, but Dusty seems more comfortable when I restrain her this way.  Note her pleasant expression.  At this point in her training, she had only been clipped a few times in her life.

In this next picture I am measuring the length I would like to shave her bridle path.  How I do that is, I fold down her ear, and that is the length that I will shave.  Sometimes, the horse may have a very short neck, and to minimize that flaw I will only shave about three quarters the length of the ear.  Use your judgement, but as a general rule of thumb the bridle path should be the length of the horses ear.

   
In this next image, I am making sure there is a straight part in the mane.  I do this by using a comb.  I don't want to clip any of the wrong hair.

The next thing I will do is get out my scissors.  I like to trim the long hair before I get out the clippers.  I buy a cheap pair of hair scissors that I can keep at the barn.  They come in handy to trim manes and tails.  Hair scissors do a much better job than ordinary scissors.  Just make sure you only use them for hair and nothing else!

Now it's time to get out the clippers.  I marked the end of the bridle path with Dusty's halter.  If you notice, the mare has her head quite high.  However, I don't mind, I can reach where I need to reach, and she still has her pleasant expression.  As I said, this mare has only been clipped a few times, and I don't want a battle for either of us.  I would like to keep it a positive experience for her.                           

Now it's time to check my work!  After I am finished clipping I go back and measure the ear again.  I also check for any stray hairs, and if I missed any I would clean them up now. 

Another point I'd like to add, I always work alone when clipping a horse.  I don't want anyone else to restrain the horse for me, I prefer to do it myself, I feel it is much safer and it keeps me from becoming complacent about what I am doing.  If you are having trouble clipping your horse, put the clippers away or just turn them off and practice working with the horse.   Get the horse used to you touching it's face, neck and head with the clippers when they are turned off.  Take your time, because you never get a second chance to make a first impression on the animal.

Ta da!  Dusty is all finished, looking pretty with a clean bridle path!

Grooming Brushes

Being a responsible horse owner involves grooming your horse.
The kind of grooming I am going to be talking about here is the everyday kind, not the show ring kind.

I am not including the mane, tail, or hooves here. They will also get daily care. But what I would like to focus on is the brushes you will need for the body of the horse.

A large part of my training program is for riders to know how to properly groom a horse.


When you groom a horse, you become familiar with his body.
You will know if there are any bumps, cuts or bruises. You will find any sore spots on his back or legs, and you become more familiar with your horses sensitive spots.

I find out how much leg a horse is going to require me to use by his reaction to grooming.
Some horses like it when you curry them extra hard. Other horses will jump out of their skin if you rub them too hard.
Throughout the grooming process you should watch your horse's expression and his tell tale ears.

A horse will flick his ears back and forth to listen to you. It's when he pins them back and gets wide eyed, then it means trouble.

If he suddenly pops his head in the air, beware.

I always rest my left hand on the horse and groom with my right hand or vice versa.



Our first brush is the rubber curry.
Use this brush first, and groom your horse in a circular motion.

Starting up at the top of the horse’s neck work your way back to his tail. Don't forget his belly! Do not brush the legs or face with this brush because those areas are too sensitive.



The brush pictured above is called a Sof-Touch brush by Grooma.
It is a curry that can be used on the horses legs and face as well as his body. But use it with caution on those areas, very gently. You don't want to injure or frighten your horse. This brush is very soft and made especially for the sensitive areas.



Next, in the series is a stiff bristle brush. This brush should be used to brush away all of the dirt that the rubber curry brought up to the surface. Use this brush in the same areas that were used with the first curry, everywhere excluding the legs and face. Brush in the direction the hair grows.

Always work from front to back, that way the dirt and hair flies to the back, and you brush it off and away from your horse.



The last body brush is a finishing brush.

This brush is for the horse's entire body, legs, and face. A finishing brush is very soft and is used to shine the horse’s coat. It will put the finishing touches on your beautifully groomed horse. Use this brush in the direction the hair grows for the best effect.



When brushing a horse's face be sure to make him feel secure.
I keep my body very close to his face and almost put his face under my arm as I softly brush his face.

You horse’s eyes should close, and he will lower his head for you to brush his face. If he lifts his head, he is feeling insecure. Test where you need to place your hands, and stay where he can see you. Stay to the side of his face and not directly in front of him.

Before you walk away from the horse, if you run your bare hand under his belly, and check behind his tail to make sure that horse is completely clean with no mud or dirt spots, you will have a properly groomed horse.

How long you spend grooming will depend on your horse.
I used to curry my halter horses an hour every day. 30 minutes before our workout, and then another 30 minutes after the workout.

My riding horses the total grooming time would be anywhere from ten to 30 minutes. Depending on the time of year and how clean they were.

One thing that does not change, do it everyday.

These days I'm training more riders than horses, so my riders do most of the grooming. I have to say I very much enjoy grooming; I definitely use that time to bond with a horse.

Remember to watch your horse’s expression as you groom because this is a time that you will learn a lot about your horse.

By following this routine, you will have a happy, healthy, properly groomed horse.

Happy Grooming!

Deanna