Pony GLOW-UP

Two professional grooms teach you how to give your horse a tidy trim in this excerpt from The Kid's Guide to Horsemanship and Grooming.

- CAT HILL AND EMMA FORD

Whether you are taking your horse to a lesson, clinic, or horse show, you want to start with an extra tidy up. A day or two before the special event, groom as you would every day and take stock of where your horse needs some extra attention. Is his face a little furry? How is his tail looking?

CLIPPing

When your horse's face is a little fuzzy, you can clip the long "goat hairs" and trim the bridle path.

Any time you're using clippers, first show them to your horse while they are turned off so you don't startle him. Then, still holding them ahead of the horse and a bit to the side (remember the blind spot right in front of his nose!), go ahead and turn them on. Check your horse's reaction.

When he is calm, you can proceed, but if he seems nervous or upset, it's best to get a helper.

Hold the running clippers in your hand and touch only your hand to his shoulder. Softly move the hand with the clippers back and forth a few inches low on the neck so he feels the vibration (1).