Horse Grooming Tips in Winter for the Furry Horse
You have a lot of options here! First, a clipped horse is an easy grooming job. EASY. But, it’s not for everyone, and this previous article here will shed some light on good reasons to clip, and good reasons to leave your horse’s winter coat on.
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Fuzzy dude.
In the winter, we have two primary concerns when your horse is unclipped. One is dirt, bacteria, fungi, moisture etc. trapped on the skin by a coat. The second concern is cooling out an unclipped horse.
- When you have an unclipped coat, you have a great natural barrier to the elements. You also have a way for skin funk, rashes, infections, rain rot, and unseen cuts and scrapes to invade your horse.
- Add to that moisture from sweat and you are creating a buffet for microscopic creatures to invade.
- You also have the huge task of cooling out and drying your horse after exercise to avoid skin funk and your horse getting chilled to the bone.
It may be time-consuming to groom your horse in winter, but I have some tricks for you in the grooming department.
Fuzzy legs!!
- Get acquainted with a vacuum for horses. Very acquainted. After a super long curry comb session, use a vacuum to get all of the “stuff” you pulled up away from your horse. No amount of flicking a brush can compare to a vacuum.
- Use your fingertips. Your bare naked fingertips. You will need to feel your horse everywhere to make sure scabs and such are not forming. Also, a winter coat will hide inflammation in legs. Use your hands to inspect every inch of your horse. Other common areas for winter skin funk are the girth area and the skin folds near the elbow. These areas can sweat a lot and the folds of skin can create a mess.
- Get on board with spending a ton of time on curry combing. Grooming gloves are great for this, you can use two hands at once and really get down to it.
- You also need to use your hands to examine the ribs – make sure they are not poking out! Or they have disappeared. Many horses have trouble keeping weight in the winter, so monitor this by using your hands.
- Hot toweling. This time-consuming method of total body grooming (or touch up grooming) is great for long coats. Hot and damp towels are used to “curry” the horse in small sections at a time. Use a cooler to cover each section as you finish to help dry your horse and keep him from chills. More on hot toweling here!
This is the extent of Comet’s winter coat.
- If you have an indoor wash rack with hot water and an indoor solarium for drying, please message me your address and expect me and my horses in a week or so.
- Waterless shampoos. These can be great – and often a tiny amount is all you need! Many are designed to clean spots, not do a whole horse, so read the label carefully. In combination with hot toweling, they can be a super way to bring back that “just washed” look for your horse.
Spot cleaning!
- For spot cleaning, you can likely get away with a hot towel on the spot. I am a firm believer that a good diet and overall health, including regular exercise, creates a coat that is easy to clean. In the winter, you will likely be skipping the full shampoo baths, so you have plenty of time for the oils to build upon your horse’s coat. Good for sliding stains away!
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The jute side buffs to add shine, the other side is fuzzy for lifting dust and applying fly sprays and grooming products. Sort of a mix between a finishing brush and a body brush. Soft for sensitive horses. Keep all of your poops in a group with this handy tote. Boost shine and create a smooth coat with this medium brush from the best of the best - HAAS. Go forth and shine! Gentle and effective detangling for your horse's mane and tail. These are HandsOn Gloves with special pricing! Only in the color gray. 
Spot removing, deodorizing, dust busting, shine adding spray.
Other sizes, too! Adds shine with the most gentle formula.
The best shampoo for shine and soothing.
This is my favorite horse care product for shine, conditioning, detangling, and stain protection.
It's fashion and function
For all colors - to add shine and help lift stains.
For a sleek and protective finish on your horse's coat, and Magic Sheen is also great for detangling manes and tails.
Omega 3's plus gut health support in a delicious cold milled flax formula. It's delicious and it will turn your horse's coat into a mirror.
The jute side buffs to add shine, the other side is fuzzy for lifting dust and applying fly sprays and grooming products. For all colors - to add shine and help lift stains. Spot removing, deodorizing, dust busting, shine adding spray. For a sleek and protective finish on your horse's coat, and Magic Sheen is also great for detangling manes and tails.
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A classic pattern in a modern colorway. And it's so thick! Soak up all the sweat and water with this Irish Knit, best for warm weather use. Irish knits are the best wicking coolers for warmer weather. Square coolers are traditional and versatile, and wick more than a fleece cooler. Help your horse cool out in hot and humid weather. Keep your horse dry and visible with this reflective quarter sheet. This heavyweight turnout blanket gets even warmer with the neck. Sweet itch is best battled by not letting those annoying midges bite your horse. For horses with sweet itch and other insect allergies, more coverage is better. This turnout sheet doesn't have fill, and is great for windy and rainy days. This affordable heavy blanket will keep your horse warm in the worst weather and cold snap. Be seen from space with this hi-viz quarter sheet. Keep your horse's bum safe and dry. Keep your horse dry and spiffy with this cooler combo. Love the neck for fast drying. Keep your horse dry during bad weather, this rain sheet is also great for windy days. These fly masks are fantastic for protecting ears and eyes, and do great under halters and grazing muzzles to stop rubs and hairless patches. Use code 15PROEQUINE for a sitewide discount on muzzles, halters, accessories, and slow feeders. These are like the popular Shoo Fly leggings. 
Thank you!