Brushing a horse is an important part of taking care of them, which means you need to have a grooming kit that is well stocked with a set of good quality brushes. It will get plenty of use — every day (ideally) and definitely before you begin tacking up.
At the very least, your grooming kit will need to have a decent dandy brush, body brush and a hoof pick inside. The choice is vast and it is possible to pay one fee for a fully equipped grooming kit that will fulfil you and your horse’s needs.
It might be a bucket, bag or tray with your brushes inside. Something that is easy to grab and carry when you need it, is easy and convenient to store, and keeps your brushes safe and clean inside.
You may find you have need for multiple grooming kits. I keep one on the yard and one in my horsebox, for example, so that I always have one with us when travelling. It’s easier than having to remember to pack it every time we go out.
Shop for a horse grooming kit
Woodside 8-Piece Equestrian Grooming Set
This green and black grooming brush set is easy on the bank balance as it includes all the essentials for your horse: a dandy brush, face brush, curry comb, hoof pick, mane and tail brush, body brush, and a sweat scraper.
It comes in a handy storage box with carry handle for easy transportation and removable tray inside for storing smaller items.
RRP 24.99
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
ShowMaster Grooming Collection Circle of Life
The material used in this horse grooming brush set consists of 45% recycled plastic and 55% straw and rice fibres. The bristles of the brushes (bought separately) are also made from natural materials.
The range includes a body brush, rubber and metal curry combs, dandy brush, face brush, sweat scraper, hoof pick and a mane brush.
There is a handy removable tray at the top for storing things like plaiting bands and it is available in three colours: ruby red, pastel blue or natural.
RRP £19.90 (box only); brushes from £5.49 each
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
ProKit Lite Basic Grooming Kit from LeMieux
This grooming kit includes a smart and tidy grooming bag with handy pockets and zipped compartments for easy access.
Inside you will find a Flexi Soft Body Brush, which is a bendable brush with synthetic-bristled brushes that makes even hard-to-reach places easier.
There is also a Flexi rubber curry comb, which is ideal for removing dust, dirt and loose hair from your horse’s coat, as well as a Tangle Tidy, which is an air-cushioned brush with wavy toggles that suits coarse horsehair.
RRP £62.80 (US$47.95, bag only)
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Buying in the US? Purchase here (bag only)
Premier Equine Soft-Touch Grooming Kit Set
Available in four colour choices — red, blue, orange or fuchsia — this nine-piece grooming kit contains a soft-bristled body brush and face brush, an ergonomically-shaped mane and tail brush, a rubber curry comb, hoof pick, and a sweat scraper.
There are also two sizes of dandy brushes — a large one with long bristles and a smaller version.
A bucket brush completes the set.
Storage bags are purchased separately.
RRP £42
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
The Someh Classic Haas Brushes Set
One of the more expensive horse grooming kits in the list, this set comprises eight brushes that are designed to be used in a specific order.
Each brush has a particular job and makes light work of grooming whatever your horse’s coat colour.
This set has been created in conjunction with leading grooming experts HAAS. All but one of the brushes can be popped in the washing machine at 30°C to keep them clean and free of bacteria.
RRP £115
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Lincoln Complete Grooming Kit
Choose from pink or blue (and purple in the US) in this horse grooming kit, which comes in a traditional tray and includes the following brushes: a body brush, dandy brush, hoof oil brush, plastic curry comb, and a synthetic curry comb.
There is also a handy ‘dog bone’ sponge for easy washing, as well as a hoof pick and a mane comb.
RRP £29.99 (US$30)
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Buying in the USA? Purchase here
Alan Davies Signature Pack of Brushes
Designed by Carl Hester’s groom Alan Davies, this pack has nine grooming essentials.
The Unique All-Rounder removes hair from rugs and numnahs, while Mr Flicky removes dust and bedding from your horse.
Polisher brush removes fine dust while the Face Brush has soft, effective natural bristles and Quarter Marker helps you create quarter marks.
Stud brush is a hoof pick with brush, and Mr Glossy’s soft hairs helps a coat gleam. The Unique Curry Comb and a grooming bag complete the set.
RRP £149 ($224)
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Buying in the USA? Purchase here
HY Sport Active Complete Grooming Bag
A smart, sturdy bag for your grooming essentials, complete with six open pockets to hold all your lotions and potions.
It features an easy-to-clean lining, a zip pocket with a name identifier and a space for valuables.
A reinforced base and studs helps prevent damage. It contains a mane and tail brush, mane comb, body brush, dandy brush, face brush, sweat scraper and hoof pick.
Colours: Coral rose, desert sand, coral blue
RRP £49.99 (US$31 — bag only)
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Buying in the USA? Purchase here
Renwick and Sons Luxury Equestrian Grooming Kit
This luxury grooming kit contains nine tools, each designed around an ergonomic hardwood body.
They are available in four sizes to ensure the brushes fit your hand comfortably and in five leather strap colours — plus you can have the strap embossed with your name or horse’s name (for an additional cost).
The bristles are Renwick & Son’s own unique blend of anti-bacterial and anti-frizz Monotec bristles, from super-soft for the face and finishing brushes to the stiff dandy brush bristles.
RRP £400-£415 (US$529.60) Includes free worldwide delivery
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Buying in the USA? Purchase here
KBF99 Grooming Kit
The KBF99 product range has been developed to help protect and safeguard horses from contracting certain diseases.
KBF99, a special treatment applied to plastic, has been tested using international standards and found to be over 90% effective against strangles, ringworm, e. coli and mycotoxin.
This horse grooming brush set contains a body brush, standard dandy brush, long fibre dandy brush, bucket brush, face brush, hoof brush, mane and tail brush, sweat scraper, mane comb, plaiting comb, hoof pick and curry comb.
RRP £119.99
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
How to take care of a grooming kit
Taking good care of your horse’s grooming kit involves cleaning it thoroughly. After all, if your grooming brushes are dirty, your horse’s coat will be too.
“How often you clean your horse’s grooming kit depends on how often you use the brushes,” advises top groom Jenny Ellis. “My horse is kept out in a field, so after grooming him once a day, I’ll put my brushes in the washing machine once a week – usually at a weekend when I’ve got more time.”
To wash your horse’s grooming kit, Jenny recommends putting brushes in the washing machine. You can buy wash-proof bags to put the brushes inside, in order to protect your washing machine from loose hair. It helps to muffle the sound of spinning brushes too.
“I put my brushes on a cool wash with non-biological washing powder, but no conditioner,” says Jenny. “I’ll also add a numnah or furry girth cover to the wash to add a bit of padding for the machine.”
Main image: copyright Shutterstock
