Grooming and the feet

Grooming cleans the horse, massages it and gets it ready for work. It is also the moment to check that it is well. In Galop 2 you groom with four tools, and you pick out the front feet yourself.

In the exam programme

Groom using the body brush, the curry comb and the dandy brush.Common module A
Recognise and name the body brush, the curry comb, the dandy brush and the hoof pick.Common module B
Pick out the front feet, and pick up a hind foot.Common module A

The four tools

The rubber curry comb

In small circles, on the fleshy parts.

The dandy brush

Long, stiff bristles; with the lie of the coat, in short brisk strokes.

The body brush

Fine, close bristles; with the lie of the coat, to bring up a shine.

The hoof pick

A steel hook; from the heel towards the toe.

Fig. 2.10The curry comb, the dandy brush, the body brush and the hoof pick

The curry comb: Rubber or plastic, with nubs or teeth. You use it in small circles on the fleshy parts — neck, shoulders, back, flanks, quarters, thighs — to loosen dried mud and dust deep in the coat. Never on the head or on bony parts.
The dandy brush: A brush with long, stiff bristles. You use it in the direction of the hair, with short, brisk strokes, to flick away what the curry comb has loosened, on the body and the legs.
The body brush: With fine, soft, close-set bristles. Used in the direction of the hair with some pressure, it lifts the fine dust and brings up a shine. It is the brush for the head. Clean it often on the curry comb.
The hoof pick: A metal hook, often with a small brush, that clears earth, dung and stones from the underside of the foot.

The order of grooming

Tie upTo a ring, with a quick-release knot and a short lead rope.
CurryNear side first, then off side, from the neck towards the quarters.
Dandy brushIn the same order, without forgetting the legs.
Finish with the body brushThe whole body, then the head, gently, one hand resting on the front of the face.
Pick out the feetAt least the front feet, before and after work.
CheckNo wounds, no hot or swollen areas, the back and the girth area perfectly clean: otherwise the saddle will rub.

Picking out a front foot

Stand beside the shoulder, facing the horse’s tail.
Run your hand down the leg to just above the fetlock and ask quietly — “up” — squeezing the back of the cannon lightly. If the horse does not shift its weight, lean your shoulder gently against its shoulder.
Hold the foot from underneath, in your hand.
Pick out from the heel towards the toe, working the hoof pick away from you. Clear the two grooves on either side of the soft V-shaped part, without pressing on it: you will learn its name in Galop 3.
Put the foot down gently: do not drop it.

Picking up a hind foot

In Galop 2 you are only asked to pick up a hind foot: picking it out comes in Galop 3. Stand close to the hip, facing the tail, one hand resting on the quarters to feel any movement. Run the other hand down the thigh, then down the back of the cannon to the fetlock, ask, lift the foot, hold it for a few seconds and put it down gently.

Safety

With a hind leg, stay right up close to the horse, at its side, never behind it and never squatting. If it fidgets, let go of the foot and step away.

A word from the instructor

The horse knows exactly where the curry comb feels good. If it stretches its neck and wiggles its lip, you have found the spot; if it pins its ears, you have found the other one.

Ekidemy

The Galops^®, from the first step to Galop 7