Grooming 2025

[MaryFlora]

The past 6 weeks have seen many miles on the road and not a single one horse related!

Unless you count the feed store and the minis sure do!

Our weather has turned mild and sunny with the minis starting to to shed. Yesterday for the first time in weeks there was time to spare for a couple of grooming sessions. Charlie, the little mini with Cushings we took in last August is doing well and is shedding wonderfully. He has been on a vet prescribed medication and I am speculating that it is helping with the shedding? Not having had a Cushings positive horse before am unsure if they would shed out anyway?

You all are so busy walking, driving, showing, training, I’m starting this thread to post an activity! Anyone is welcome!

I used an old round shedding blade I’ve had forever for the first attack on all that hair. It worked great!

That and a flat flexible shedding blade were good starting tools.

The farrier will be here today so they will get an overdue pedicure.

 

[HersheyMint]

Hello,

The past 6 weeks have seen many miles on the road and not a single one horse related!

Unless you count the feed store and the minis sure do!

Our weather has turned mild and sunny with the minis starting to to shed. Yesterday for the first time in weeks there was time to spare for a couple of grooming sessions. Charlie, the little mini with Cushings we took in last August is doing well and is shedding wonderfully. He has been on a vet prescribed medication and I am speculating that it is helping with the shedding? Not having had a Cushings positive horse before am unsure if they would shed out anyway?

You all are so busy walking, driving, showing, training, I’m starting this thread to post an activity! Anyone is welcome!

I used an old round shedding blade I’ve had forever for the first attack on all that hair. It worked great!

That and a flat flexible shedding blade were good starting tools.

The farrier will be here today so they will get an overdue pedicure.

It is the beginning of the shedding season. I use the round shedding blade also. I follow with the curry comb. I have seen the flat flexible blades and wondered if they work as well as the ads show.

With you being busy, on the road, it must of been great for all of you, loving on the minis.

 

[HersheyMint]

@MaryFlora, good timing on this thread.

I would like to know everyone's thoughts on the steam brushes I've seen advertised. Have you used the steam brushes? I was thinking this might be an option for giving a bath to my donkey, Jeffrey .
It looks like it would be good for spot cleaning. I have two with a lot of white.

 

[LostandFound]

I was excited to look into steam brushes. As far as I can tell you could do exactly the same thing with hot water in a spray bottle. It's only using hot tap water, so it's not really steam just a fine mist. I'm thinking it's a waste of money, but it's a good enough idea that I'm going to try hot water in a spray bottle tomorrow and see how that works. I've done the hot towel thing, and it's a lot of work but it helps.

 

[HersheyMint]

I was excited to look into steam brushes. As far as I can tell you could do exactly the same thing with hot water in a spray bottle. It's only using hot tap water, so it's not really steam just a fine mist. I'm thinking it's a waste of money, but it's a good enough idea that I'm going to try hot water in a spray bottle tomorrow and see how that works. I've done the hot towel thing, and it's a lot of work but it helps.

Ok, come back and let us know what you think about the hot water in a spray bottle, please

 

[LostandFound]

I had some time, so I figured I would give it a shot. My sprayer does a fine mist. Then I used towels to rub where I sprayed. I'm going to say it worked about the same as using the hot, damp towels, but it was easier, less of a mess on me. Still not as easy as giving a bath, which I ended up doing anyway. And of course she rolled right after, so I'm not very happy with my end results.

 

[HersheyMint]

I had some time, so I figured I would give it a shot. My sprayer does a fine mist. Then I used towels to rub where I sprayed. I'm going to say it worked about the same as using the hot, damp towels, but it was easier, less of a mess on me. Still not as easy as giving a bath, which I ended up doing anyway. And of course she rolled right after, so I'm not very happy with my end results.

Thanks for the info. My donkey doesn't like the water hose or spray bottles.
Maybe I can find a noiseless there is a spray bottle. That would help, I think.

 

[LostandFound]

If he's not into the spray bottle, the steam brush might actually be worth it for him. Not sure how much noise it makes.

 

[Bennysmom]

I like the flat shedding blades and I also use a softer wire dog brush.

I haven't heard of a steam brush. I'll have to Google one.

 

[HersheyMint]

If he's not into the spray bottle, the steam brush might actually be worth it for him. Not sure how much noise it makes.

I do have time to work on getting him use to a spray. The stream brush does say it is quiet but how quiet is quiet?

 

[Marsha Cassada]

Rusty has an owie on his chest. It needed to be hydroed. I wasn't sure how he would tolerate that! When introducing a new, scary thing I never tie, but hold the lead rope and allow him to back away a little. After a few jerks and back steps, he allowed me to hydro the area--the water was very cold! Then while he was still in a state of submission I sneaked the silver spray squirt on it. I had shaken up the can previously away from him so the rattle didn't alarm him. The quick squirt was over before he had time to get too scared.
I'm using a dog grooming comb on him for now. He is beginning to shed, but I'm not getting bushels off yet. Clipping time should be very interesting, but I am determined to see what is under all that hair.
I do have a hot water bath set-up. Warm water seems to make a huge difference in how they tolerate a bath.

 

[MaryFlora]

I know it sure affects how I tolerate a bath! Seriously, you were very wise in how you took care of Rusty and make future treatments less stressful for him. He is a fortunate little guy to have you.

The steam brushes are new to me as well but sound like they could be a good tool, and I agree that ‘quiet” is very subjective!

I love my flat shedding blade, HersheyMint. I have had this particular blade for years. It is stainless steel and the fine teeth on one side really remove the long dead hair quite well, while the smooth opposite side is great at sluicing off water after a barh. Once the thick winter coat is tamed, the round grooming tool plus rubber curry comb see the most use.

 

[MaryFlora]

I went online last night and googled ‘high end luxury horse grooming equipment’ as a bit of personal therapy after the recent, very stressful, but ultimately good six weeks.

Well! Let me tell you.

Maybach Icons of Luxury has gorgeous brushes handcrafted in Germany. The brush, Caress III, is amazing, priced at $395 and sold out. (The bristles are “ethically sourced “ horse hair, which is a concern as the sourcing is not clearly defined.)

Renwick and Sons has an entire set of handsome well made grooming tools in a steel storage box for $529.60. Honestly, I felt like throwing out my entire mismatched set of grooming equipment after seeing this.

And…for a little something to carry your tools, L’Evoine Le Baquet Cleaning bag in charcoal for $699. Free shipping. Sadly, after reading the description, I was ready to buy one!

So while I will splurge on that special horse brush, I will be shopping in more familiar and affordable territory!

 

[HersheyMint]

I went online last night and googled ‘high end luxury horse grooming equipment’ as a bit of personal therapy after the recent, very stressful, but ultimately good six weeks.

Well! Let me tell you.

Maybach Icons of Luxury has gorgeous brushes handcrafted in Germany. The brush, Caress III, is amazing, priced at $395 and sold out. (The bristles are “ethically sourced “ horse hair, which is a concern as the sourcing is not clearly defined.)

Renwick and Sons has an entire set of handsome well made grooming tools in a steel storage box for $529.60. Honestly, I felt like throwing out my entire mismatched set of grooming equipment after seeing this.

And…for a little something to carry your tools, L’Evoine Le Baquet Cleaning bag in charcoal for $699. Free shipping. Sadly, after reading the description, I was ready to buy one!

So while I will splurge on that special horse brush, I will be shopping in more familiar and affordable territory!

Out of my price range.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

Fun to look at! I would never have thought of looking at those.

 

[MaryFlora]

It was definitely an escape and a bit of an education also in learning of the materials used to craft tools that may last decades.

Rather amazing how many of those high end items were sold out or on back order! Even the grooming bag was sold out of the chestnut leather version.

I’m ok with that. Fleet Farm is a go to option that will allow me to sleep at night. Then I can dream of that matched set in a steel box in the perfect barn and it will all be free!