Article: Grooming your horse is an important bonding experience, as it shows the horse that your relationship is not all about riding and work, it's also about spending time together and finding things that make him happy. Thoroughly grooming your horse with a curry comb is a good place to start, just make sure to get all those spots that he can't reach himself, like his chest and belly. When it comes to bath time, make the experience as pleasant as possible for your horse by washing him with warm water -- not too hot, not too cold. Work a specialized horse shampoo into his coat with a soft sponge, but be sure to thoroughly rinse it out afterwards, to avoid irritation. Remove any excess water with a sweat scraper. . A horses legs are very sensitive, so by allowing you to pick up his feet, a horse is displaying great trust. Let him grow accustomed to your touch by gently running your hands along his foreleg, starting above his knee and slowly working your way down towards the fetlock. If he grows skittish, stop and start again from the top. Once he allows you to touch his fetlock, lightly squeeze a few inches above it with your thumb and forefinger. This is his cue to lift his foot. Once he allows you to lift his foot, check that the shoe is intact and that there is nothing lodged in his hoof. Gently place his foot back on the ground and reward him with a pat. . Giving your horse a massage is a great way to relax him and encourage trust. By working on any knots or sore spots, you will also be relieving pain and tension, which may also enhance his performance. Learn to recognize the feel of your horse's muscles, and be able identify which areas need the most work. In time, he will learn to lean into the massage, showing you where he needs work. Sometimes a quick mouth massage is all that's needed, other times you will really need to dig in deep, working hard to loosen his hips or shoulder muscles. Essential oils (designed especially for horses) can work wonders for relaxing and calming your horse while you work on grooming. Rub a couple of drops of your chosen oil under his nostrils and around his muzzle and he will happily oblige your every request. As an added bonus, essential oils also work as an insect deterrent, which can be helpful during summertime treks.
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Rub and scratch hard-to-reach spots. Wash with warm water. Pick up the feet Learn some basic horse massage techniques Try aromatherapy.