Horse that gets grumpy when groomed

Hi!

It is fairly common for horses to react when you groom them. There can be several causes, for example:

🥕 A ticklish horse

🥕 Moulting, or a winter coat coming through

🥕 A mare in season

🥕 A magnesium deficiency

🥕 Pain, anything from muscle soreness to bruising or gastric ulcers

🐴 In my experience plenty of horses, mostly mares 😅, are sensitive to brushes. Sometimes all over, but it can also be certain spots they dislike being brushed.

🐴 You can help the horse by working out whether one of the causes above is behind the reaction.

🐴 Sometimes it is enough to switch to a softer brush, and to learn to groom gently in a way the horse enjoys. Bear in mind that the energy we bring into the yard often shows in how we handle and touch the horse. A stressed person tends to groom less well than someone who is calm and present.

🐴 Some horses prefer to be groomed after riding or schooling. In that case do the bare minimum beforehand, get going, and spend more time on the coat afterwards.

🐴 Try not to tie up and groom a hungry horse either. Sometimes simply giving them access to hay while you groom is enough.

🐴 Some horses are calmer if you get them ready in the stable. If so, tie the horse up, ideally with hay in the manger, but make sure it cannot get tangled.

🐴 If the horse is moulting or putting on a winter coat, some can benefit from an addition to the ration. Brewer's yeast often works wonders for coat quality and gut health. Check the ration so you do not add too much protein.

🐴 Check the ration for magnesium too. If it is low, or below the recommended level, you can try giving magnesium as a supplement.

🐴 It is also important to check the horse's tack. If the saddle sits badly, the horse anticipates it and may start showing discomfort as early as grooming.

I hope that answers your question! 🦄