Horse care basics for riders: grooming, tacking up and reading body language
TUREFF• •0
Learning to ride is only half the picture. Knowing how to groom, tack up and read a horse makes you safer, makes the horse more comfortable, and turns a lesson into a relationship. Many riding schools teach these skills in stable management sessions; here is the groundwork.
Before you start: safety on the ground
- Approach at the shoulder and speak so the horse knows you are there.
- Tie the horse up with a quick-release knot to a breakable loop of string.
- Never kneel or sit on the ground beside a horse; crouch so you can move away quickly.
- Wear sturdy boots.
Grooming
Grooming cleans the coat, lets you check for injuries and gives you a few minutes to see how the horse is feeling. A basic kit includes:
- Hoof pick: clean out each foot, working from heel to toe and away from you, avoiding the sensitive frog in the centre. Check for stones and smells that may signal infection.
- Curry comb: rubber, used in circles on muscled areas to loosen mud and hair. Never on the face or bony legs.
- Dandy brush: stiff bristles to flick away dried mud, mainly on the body and legs, used carefully on clipped or sensitive horses.
- Body brush: soft bristles for the whole body, face and mane, removing dust and grease.
- Sponges or cloths: separate ones for the eyes, nose and dock (under the tail).
- Mane and tail comb or brush: work through tangles gently, from the ends up.
While grooming, look out for cuts, heat, swelling or lumps, and tell someone if you find anything. Many horses have ticklish spots; watch their reactions as you go.
Tacking up
Tack is the riding equipment, mainly the saddle and bridle. Each horse's tack should be fitted to that horse.
Saddle:
- Check the numnah or saddle pad is clean and lies flat without wrinkles.
- Place the saddle slightly forward over the withers and slide it back into place, so the hair lies flat.
- Make sure the pad is lifted up into the gullet of the saddle, not pressing on the withers.
- Fasten the girth loosely at first and tighten it gradually. Check it again before mounting and after a few minutes of riding.
Bridle:
- Put the reins over the horse's head first, so you have control.
- Hold the bridle up, and offer the bit gently, slipping a thumb into the corner of the mouth where there are no teeth if the horse does not open.
- Bring the headpiece over the ears carefully, one at a time.
- Fasten the throatlash, loose enough to fit a hand's width, and the noseband according to its type.
If you are unsure how something fits, ask. Badly fitting tack causes pain and behaviour problems.
Reading body language
Horses are prey animals and communicate mostly through posture. Learning the signs helps you spot discomfort or fear before it becomes a problem.
- Ears: pricked forward means attention; flicking back and forth means listening; pinned flat back means anger or pain. Stay clear.
- Eyes: soft and blinking is relaxed; wide with white showing can mean fear.
- Head and neck: lowered and relaxed is calm; high and tense signals alarm.
- Mouth: licking and chewing often follows relaxation; a tight mouth or grinding can indicate stress.
- Tail: swishing hard can mean irritation; clamped down can mean fear or cold.
- Legs: a resting hind leg is usually relaxed; a raised hind leg when you approach the back can be a warning.
- Nostrils: flared with snorting indicates alertness or fright.
Signs such as biting at the girth, swishing when the saddle goes on, or flinching under the brush can point to pain. Mention them to the yard rather than labelling the horse naughty.
After riding
Loosen the girth, run the stirrups up, and untack. Check legs and back, pick out the feet again and brush off sweat marks. On a cold day, a rug may be needed; on a hot day, sponge off and walk until the horse is cool.
What did you find hardest when learning to groom or tack up? Share your tips and questions in the comments.