News & Informaion

Proper Grooming and Tacking Procedures

Grooming Your Horse

Learning the proper way to groom your horse is a fundamental skill for good horsemanship. Grooming is not only fun, it serves several important functions.

  1. Regular grooming is vital to your horse's health because it cleans the hair and helps the skin function properly.
  2. It gives you a chance to get to know your horse and to build a relationship with him.
  3. You can check your horse for wounds, injuries, or skin disorders that might need treatment.
  4. A well-groomed horse shows that you are a disciplined, conscientious and knowledgeable horse person.
  5. Make sure you arrive at least 15-30 minutes before your lesson, so you can groom your horse before (and after) the lesson. Follow the procedures you learned in the Horsemanship Class, using the following grooming tools:
    • Hoof pick -- used to remove manure, mud, shavings and rocks from your horse's hooves. Use in heel-to-toe strokes removing surface layer of debris first and then gently but firmly remove debris from the commissure (crevices on each side of the frog). Be sure to clean the heels, too. Keep your feet out from under your horse's hoof, so your horse can't step on you.
    • Curry comb -- a rubber groomer used in circlular motions to bring up dirt and dead hair
    • Dandy brush -- a stiff brush, which is used in the direction of the hair to whisk away dirt and to remove lose hair.
    • Body brush -- a softer brush, which is used all over the body to remove fine dust and hair and to give your horse's coat a final polish.

English Tack Procedures

English Saddle Pad and Saddle

  1. Some horses require special equipment. This is noted above their bridle. If you need help locating this equipment, please ask for assistance.
  2. Check your horse's bridle rack name card to see if your horse requires any extra pads. Check the saddle pad for dirt before putting it on your horse; remove any dirt or shavings with a brush. Place the saddle pad on your horse's back, over the withers.
  3. Slide the saddle pad back into position so the hairs of your horse's coat are all lying in the proper direction.
  4. Lift the saddle, with the stirrups drawn up, over your horse's back and set it down gently; it should be back far enough to allow his shoulders to move freely.
  5. Lift the center of the saddle pad up into the gullet of the saddle at the pommel and cantle to allow for air movement.
  6. Attach one end of the girth to the right side of the saddle (if the girth has one end with elastic, the elastic side attaches to the left side of the saddle). Move to the other side of your horse; reach under your horse, grasp the girth and lift it up on the left side and attach the buckles to the billet straps. Attach it loosely at first, and then gradually tighten to avoid making your horse uncomfortable. The girth should not be completely tight until you are in the ring and ready to mount.

The English Bridle

  1. Untie the lead rope, and put the rope over your horse's neck. Do not let it hang on the ground. Unbuckle the halter, drop it off your horse's nose and buckle it around his neck. Put the bridle reins over your horse's head.
  2. Hold the crown of the bridle in your right hand, with your right arm over your horse's neck and head.
  3. Hold the bit in your left hand at your horse's mouth. If he doesn't open his mouth to take the bit, you can slide your thumb into his mouth at the corner and press down on the bars. Pull up on the crown with your right hand to pull the bit up when he opens his mouth.
  4. Place the crown piece over your horse's ears, right ear first and then left ear, by bringing the ears forward.
  5. Adjust the brow band so it isn't pinching your horse's ears and is not too low on his face.
  6. Slide the noseband ends underneath the cheek pieces, behind the bit rings, and buckle above his chin. It should be snug, but not tight--one finger should fit in the noseband.
  7. Fasten the throatlatch loosely where his jaw bones meet his neck--you should be able to put four fingers width between his throat and the throatlatch.
  8. If the bridle has a curb strap or chain it should be lose enough to slide three fingers between his jaw and the curb piece.

Western Tack Procedures

Western Saddle Pad and Saddle

  1. Some horses require special equipment. This is noted above their bridle. If you need help locating this equipment, please ask for assistance.
  2. Check your horse's bridle rack name card to see if your horse requires any extra pads or girth cover. Check the pad for dirt before putting it on your horse; remove any dirt or shavings with a brush. Place the saddle pad on your horse's back, over the withers.
  3. Then slide the saddle pad back into position so the hairs of your horse's coat are all lying in the proper direction.
  4. Lift the saddle, with the cinch and right stirrup across the seat, over your horse's back and set it down gently; it should be back far enough to allow his shoulders to move freely.
  5. Lift the center of the saddle pad up into the gullet of the saddle at the pommel and cantle to allow for air movement.
  6. Adjust the right side of the cinch to fit your horse. Move to the left side of your horse, bring the cinch underneath his belly, run the latigo through the cinch ring two or three times.

The Western Bridle

  1. Untie the lead rope, and put the rope over your horse's neck. Do not let it hang on the ground. Unbuckle the halter, drop it off your horse's nose and buckle it around his neck. Put the bridle reins over your horse's head.
  2. Hold the crown of the bridle in your right hand, with your right arm over your horse's neck and head.
  3. Hold the bit in your left hand at your horse's mouth. If he doesn't open his mouth to take the bit, you can slide your thumb into his mouth at the corner and press down on the bars. Pull up on the crown with your right hand to pull the bit up when he opens his mouth.
  4. Place the crown piece over your horse's ears, right ear first and then left ear, by bringing the ears forward.
  5. Adjust the brow band so it isn't pinching your horse's ears and is not too low on his face.
  6. Slide the noseband ends underneath the cheek pieces, behind the bit rings, and buckle above his chin. It should be snug, but not tight--one finger should fit in the noseband.
  7. Fasten the throatlatch loosely where his jaw bones meet his neck--you should be able to put four fingers width between his throat and the throatlatch.
  8. If the bridle has a curb strap or chain it should be lose enough to slide three fingers between his jaw and the curb piece.

WARNING

UNDER TEXAS LAW (CHAPTER 87, CIVIL PRACTICE AND REMEDIES CODE), AN EQUINE PROFESSIONAL IS NOT LIABLE FOR AN INJURY TO OR THE DEATH OF A PARTICIPANT IN EQUINE ACTIVITIES RESULTING FROM THE INHERENT RISKS OF EQUINE ACTIVITIES.

Read the law here.