Most Comfortable Grooming Tools?

[Mia_Sorella]

Looking for some recommendations on a set of really really really!!! comfortable grooming tools. Priorities are easy to hold, ergonomic shape, sized for small hands and of course effective/nice for the horse.

Have been dealing with some chronic health issues that are causing considerable pain and decreased mobility in my hands…think “claw hands”. It’s turning grooming my horse into an ordeal rather than the enjoyable bonding ritual it used to be. Lately, I haven’t been able to ride much so grooming is sort of the main “thing” my horse and I do together.

Let’s assume price is no object…what do you suggest?

[Scribbler]

What about grooming gloves?

[lifeishorsesarelove]

I would totally recommend looking at grooming gloves, if you are able to get your palms or the inside of your fingers against the horse at all, they should work really well. I have a weak wrist on my dominant side, so I find grooming and currying fatiguing, though probably not nearly as much as you do. I have the hands on branded gloves.

There are body brushes out there with 3 piece, jointed backs and a strap. Depending on your grip strength, those might accommodate your hands/fingers in a more “curled” position.

Another thought would be the Oster grooming tools with the handles. They definitely make 2 styles of curry (large tooth “massage” curry and a softer, smaller toothed one) and some type of body brush which are circular with a solid handle. You can buy the curries as singles, but might only be able to get the body brush in a kit? Link below to show what I’m referring to. They do have some soft touch silicone for grip, but unfortunately they are kind of heavy. I believe Weaver makes some similarly shaped brushes, but I haven’t used those.

https://www.statelinetack.com/item/oster-ecs-7-piece-grooming-kit/SLT054771/

My one other thought is if money is no object, you could see if there’s someone out there who could make some custom-handled brushes for you. I’m picturing body brushes with a handle that comes out and away from the brush backing, and is an easy diameter for you to grip.

If I think of anything else, I will add to this

[walkinthewalk]

Ditto a grooming mitt might help and a vacuum might also help.

I have arthritis in one hand and it will often cramp itself closed. I have found tightly wrapping a piece of vet wrap around my knuckles works well to do horse and barn chores, plus anything else that requires hand motion, like chopping food:)

The vet wrap adheres to itself as long as the end is on top of my hand:)

[Jackie_Cochran]

The Tiger Tongue grooming tool may work well for you. It looks like a big black sponge, easily squishable. My riding teachers find it an acceptable alternative to dandy brushes, it gets a LOT of loose hair and dust out of the horse’s coat.

[lifeishorsesarelove]

@Jackie Cochran

The Tiger Tongue grooming tool may work well for you. It looks like a big black sponge, easily squishable. My riding teachers find it an acceptable alternative to dandy brushes, it gets a LOT of loose hair and dust out of the horse’s coat.

Oh, yes, I love mine! They are great for sweat marks, too. Great idea for the OP.

[walktrot]

OP, I feel your pain, as they say. I have significant nerve damage in my right arm, so I have been grooming (and eating) left-handed since 2004. My hands are small and brushes.were flying all over the place until I started getting the ones with the strap. I also get natural bristles, no plastic. My favorite are the Salmon brushes from England but I think they are no longer sold here. They are smaller and oval- shaped with a wood block and nice leather strap which helps keep your grip. I don’t know if there are any comparable brands. If money was no object I would see what you can get from the UK.

Platinum brushes from Germany are also beautiful and wicked expensive, Julie Goodnight has a few on her website. I got a Large Body Brush which is huge with dense bristles, wood back and strap. It’s one of my favorites now and it doesn’t fly out of my hand. I also got the Pastern Brush, terrific on legs and makes cleaning pasterns and the underside of the fetlock much easier. First and only time I have seen one. Julie has a added a few more to her selection. If you go to her website click on SHOP, TACK ROOM, to see what she has.

Get an Epona Flexible Glossy Groomer. It is a curry but it is so flexible, including the little nubs, that you can do legs with no problem. It has a wide strap which holds your hand securely.

Julie is one of my favorite trainers, particularly after her Ride until You’re 90 session at Equine Affaire. Attendance was huge and there were a number of people in their 80s. I guess it can be done, but 19 more years is a lot. You can tell that she started out riding English when she is sitting in her Western saddle. A lot of her training focuses on helping riders with physical problems adapt to their needs as well as the horse’s.

[Mia_Sorella]

Thank you for the suggestions! Going to do some Googling and check out everyone’s ideas.

Have tried the grooming gloves in the past, but found they got very gunky rather quickly and didn’t wash super well…I’m very high risk for skin ulcers due to a lack of circulation so minimizing infection is a big thing. I might try them again and use disposable vinyl or nitrile gloves underneath. It also occurred to me that I could try making my own grooming mittens which would be really convenient in the winter.

@lifeishorsesarelove I never thought about custom brushes but that is a really good idea. There’s a possibility the “claws” could eventually set, so I could have handles made to fit the particular shape my hands might choose. I’d imagine there’s lots of people with arthritic type conditions that would benefit from this; it’s amazing how life changes can turn the most mundane things into simple pleasures.

[Mouse_amp_Bay]

Haas brushes come in smaller sizes. They also have a strap for your hand to slide through, making them ideal to sit in your hand as opposed to you having to grip them. Also love the tiger tongue.

PS I am shocked the Dyson hasn’t made a horse vacuum yet. Market opportunity!

[lorilu]

What about using a bath brush with a long handle? It would give more leverage as well.

[suzyq]

Love that epona curry too. And their shed flower and the tiger tongue!