I groom dogs and have one of these dryers: http://tinyurl.com/klucnus. It is FANTASTIC for blowing the dust and junk out of a coat. I curry my Arab to break up all the solid junk and then blast his coat out. I do from his throat latch all the way back. I have the $300 version, but they have smaller models that are as low as $100. I’d probably buy the $100 model if I was buying one just for my horse and not to groom dogs primarily. The one I have draws a TON of juice and its hard to use it at boarding barns. If I use it at the boarding barn, I take my horse outside. It is extremely loud and blows very hard. When I had my own barn, I used it inside. Out of respect for the other boarders I don’t use it inside though.
It does a great job of drying the coat in the winter as well. It doesn’t have a heating element, but the motors do generate a small amount of heat so the air is fairly warm after a few minutes.
I have a cheap around $30 shop vac that is about a gallon that I use now on a more regular basis. Its smaller, draws less juice and the other boarders don’t find it nearly as offensive. I use both the vacuum and blow features on it, though I use the vacuum most often. It is is only a couple horsepower as opposed to the above dryer that is 8hp.
Neither is a substitute for good natural brushes and elbow grease if you’re looking for a shiny coat, but they are a great substitute for a bath if you either don’t have time or its just too cold before you brush.
I have yet to find a horse that can’t be convinced to tolerate either of these things with some patience and cookies.
