A peek into my grooming kit

 

A peek into my grooming kit

I have the usual brushes, hoof picks, various curry combs, mane-pulling combs, shedding tools, etc. I have five favorites in my grooming kit – Tiger’s Tongue Horse Groomer, OGX Coconut Milk Conditioner, Keratex Hoof Gel, Weaver Longtine Mane & Tail Comb, and Excalibur Sheath & Udder Cleaner.

The Tiger’s Tongue is a sponge-like grooming tool I particularly like when grooming and tacking up before a ride. It knocks the dust and dirt off beautifully and can be used on their entire body, including sensitive areas like the head and lower legs. I don’t use it during shedding season. The hair clogs it in no time and is hard to eliminate.

Tiger's Tongue

Angel after I groomed part of her hindquarters with the Tiger's Tongue

OGX Coconut Milk conditioner is for humans and my favorite for my hair. It is my go-to conditioner for manes and tails after washing them. It leaves the hair silky smooth and easy to comb or brush through once dry. I also mix a small amount of the conditioner with water in a spray bottle to use as a detangler. It does not dry out the hair like most detanglers do.

OGX Coconut Milk Conditioner

Keratex Hoof Gel is another mainstay in my toolbox. It is often muddy in the mid-south where we live, especially in the winter months. Highway, my big grey gelding, has the stereotypical thoroughbred feet (he is ¾ thoroughbred). This was recommended by my vet (an accomplished horsewoman herself) and my farrier. I just started using it earlier this year, but I like the results so far.

Keratex

Wide-toothed combs like the Weaver Longtine are my favorite for combing through tails. They don’t pull or break hairs as much as some other combs or brushes. While I don’t regularly comb or brush manes and tails, I do comb their tails and brush their manes the day after washing and conditioning them, as well as for shows.

:Long Tooth Comb

The final go-to in my grooming kit is Excalibur Sheath & Udder Cleaner – but I only use it on my mares. I leave the sheath cleaning to my vet when the boys are sedated for their dentals. Highway often disagrees about having his touched, and Pistol doesn’t drop it even when he is sedated. Lasie, my grey mare, builds up smegma between her teets often. She usually needs to be cleaned about every two weeks. Not all mares are like this. My bay mare only needs to be cleaned there a few times a year.

Excalibur