Jill MedingerThis post contains affiliate links. EQ might make a small amount of income from qualifying purchases.
Grooming is more than making your horse shine for the ring. It’s also a chance to get up close, check their bodies all over, and spend quality time with them. Here are 15 tools worth having on hand!
1. HandsOn Pet Grooming Gloves
Five-finger gloves with non-abrasive rubber nodules, bristle tips on the fingers, round tips on the palm; for currying, shedding, and massaging. They contour to tricky spots like between the legs and behind the elbows, work for bathing too, and rinse clean or go straight in the washing machine.
2. Decker 93 Oval Horse Hair Brush
Horse hair blend bristles are soft enough for sensitive horses while still removing dirt, dust, and loose hair effectively. Oval shape with webbing handle fits naturally in your hand and reduces fatigue during grooming sessions.
3. Intrepid International Rubber Hoof Pick with Brush
A comfortable-grip pick for clearing debris and checking for stones before and after rides, with a built-in brush to expose the sole for a clear look at punctures, bruises, or abscesses.
4. EQyss Premier Equine Spray
A 32-ounce mane and tail moisturizer that repels dust and dirt, cuts static, and protects the coat from sun bleaching, a finishing step after the real work of currying and brushing.
5. Absorbine Veterinary Liniment Gel
A 12-ounce spearmint-scented topical gel with natural menthol and herbal extracts, used after strenuous work to help loosen stiff joints and ease swelling. Labeled safe for USEF competition when used as directed.
6. Wahl Professional Bravura Clipper Set
A lightweight, low-vibration, quiet clipper for trimming fetlocks, ears, and throatlatch, with a 5-in-1 blade adjustable across five sizes and a rechargeable battery good for about 90 minutes cordless.
7. Exhibitor’s Quic Braid
A 16-ounce spray that makes mane hair easier to grip while braiding for competition, and combs out without washing — also useful for training an unruly mane or tail.
8. Weaver Equine Grooming Kit
A seven-piece set, with a comb, hoof pick, palm-held curry comb, palm-held face brush, mane and tail brush, dandy brush, and a sweat scraper/coarse curry combo. Packed in a nylon tote with six exterior pockets, a wire-reinforced top, and an adjustable padded shoulder strap. The brushes hold their shape through heavy, repeated use.
9. Farnam Leather New
A 32-ounce glycerin saddle soap spray that cleans and conditions leather in one step — useful not just for appearance, but as a routine chance to check tack for wear before it becomes a safety issue.
10. Mane ‘n Tail Original Horse Shampoo
A protein-enriched, deep-cleansing shampoo formulated with hydrolyzed collagen for the coat, mane, and tail. It’s been a best-seller for equine shampoo for decades.
11. Absorbine ShowSheen Hair Polish & Detangler
A 32-ounce spray for coat, mane, and tail that detangles instantly and reduces hair breakage, a longtime staple in many a tack box.
12. SHARPTEMP-V. Digital Veterinary Thermometer
A waterproof thermometer is an important tool in the barn. It gives a fast, accurate reading with a beep to signal when the temperature has been taken. It’s designed for horses and large livestock, with reference temperatures printed on the back for easy comparison.
13. Epona Tiger’s Tongue Horse Groomer
A deep-cleaning scrubber and massager designed to remove dirt, dried sweat marks, and dander from the body, legs, and white markings — a current bestseller in the same Amazon category.
14. Farnam Vetrolin Bath
An ultra-hydrating, argan oil–based conditioning shampoo that enhances shine and soothes dry skin, sized at 64 ounces. It’s a must-have in the wash stall.
15. EquiGroomer 8-Inch Deshedding Brush
An 8-inch deshedding tool built for horses and large-breed shedding dogs (50 lbs and up), designed to pull loose undercoat hair during seasonal shedding without digging into the skin the way some rakes do.
