Groom Like a PRO

A professional and "Groom of the Year" finalist shares her top advice.

- LAURA BOYNTON JOBSON

A well-groomed horse is a well-loved and healthy one. While your horse may adore the attention and pampering that comes with grooming time, it's a never-ending and sometimes challenging job that involves much more than a quick brush-off.

Here, we've brought you some top-notch advice from a professional groom to help tune up your grooming game and make it the best it can be!

THE BASICS

Jaydene McGourty's proudest career achievement is making it to the final four of the United Kingdom's Horse and Hound "Groom of the Year" award two years in a row. To date, Jaydene has been able to work with many elite riders and horses in the U.S., U.K., Germany, and Ireland, where she lives currently.

"Grooming allows you to notice any changes or abnormalities with your horse, such as lumps, bumps, heat, swelling, wounds or irritated skin," Jaydene says. "It also gives you time to notice any new behavioral issues. Grooming can increase the blood circulation of the skin, which then releases the oils that provide a shine to the coat." The following is Jaydene's triedand-true order of go for grooming your horse to a dazzling shine.

1. Hoof pick: Run your hand down your horse's legs as you pick up his hooves. This will help you detect anything unusual. Check the sole and frog grooves in the hoof for any stuck debris and notice any odor or signs of thrush.

2. Comb mane: Combing out any dirt or shavings from the mane before brushing the body will allow you to brush it off the coat later.

3. Hand-pick tail: Pick through the tail by hand to remove pieces of hay and bedding. Brushing the tail every day can damage and thin out the hair.