Every rider should have a curry comb in their grooming kit theyre quite possibly the most versatile horse brush on the planet.Curry combs are great for getting even the thickest clumps of mud out of the dirtiest coat, including fiddly areas like between the front legs and around the coronet band, and removing loose hair from brushes or the horses body.Theyre satisfying to use too. You can use the rubber versions in a circular motion, unlike other brushes with which you always follow the direction of the horses coat. With a curry comb, the more you mix it up the better the results.What is a curry comb?If your horse is anything like mine, theyll love being muddy and when it comes to removing that mud from their body, youll need to enlist the help of a curry comb.Traditionally available made from three materials plastic, rubber or metal a curry comb isgreat for lifting and removing loose hair, dirt and grease from a horses coat, especially when theyre muddy.A curry comb also doubles up as a fantastic way to scratch your horses favourite itchy spots, which can help improve your bond and relationship. Ive found this to be the case with both of my horses.Brushing off mudOf all the brushes you have in your horses grooming kit, a curry comb is best at tackling mud.Without the help of a hose, the only way to get mud off is through hard work, agrees professional groom Helen Babington-Smith.Id let it dry, then use a rubber or plastic curry comb to break the mud up, before flicking it off with a long-bristled dandy brush.Then use the curry comb again, this time alternating it with a body brush to get the underlying dust out.Finally sponge over the worst areas with a damp (not wet) sponge.Sometimes it might be necessary to use a plastic curry comb on a particularly muddy mane, but care must taken.Avoid using it on a tail no matter how dirty it is to prevent damaging this delicate hair and causing your horse discomfort.Its better to wash a muddy tail instead and use detangler when its clean before gently brushing it through with a soft brush.Correct use of a rubber curry combThere is something very satisfying about using a rubber curry comb, as it makes light work of mud and dirt.It should be used in circular motions on your horses coat. Using a rubber curry comb in this way may help to tone up muscles while increasing blood flow and circulation in the horses body.As you use the rubber curry comb to massage all over their body, youll start to remove the dead and loose hair, which is the first step towards a nice coat shine.Romeo, my Irish sports horse, always grows a rather thick, coarse coat come winter, whilst Alfie, my ex-racehorse, has a thick yet much finer coat, and can also get quite greasy.Both of them are united in one thing: getting mucky. They love a good roll, and whilst I love spending time grooming them, it can take quite a while to get them both clean.Ill often reach for a rubber curry comb first when brushing them, as its great for loosening off mud. Its also soft and gentle enough to be used on tricky or delicate areas like the lower leg and face.I find rubber curry combs more comfortable to hold than many other brushes because of this, so it makes a long grooming session that bit easier.Ill use it over the whole body, and then flick any dust, loose dirt or hair off with a dandy brush.Its great for scratching their itchy spots too, so I usually end up being groomed back, which I think strengthens our bond.Can a plastic curry comb cause damage?Some riders have reported that plastic curry combs have created micro-abrasions on their horses coat and stripped the hair of its natural coating. But is this true?Reports online have suggested that this is the case, and that sharp ends of plastic curry combs can even damage the skin, warns Liz Daniels, a former professional groom and communications director at the British Grooms Association who now works forRiders Minds.When grooming your horse, its important to use good quality products, and if youre using a plastic curry comb then make sure the ends are rounded.While I have never experienced a plastic curry comb causing any harm, I have seen a similar thing with a cheaper flicker brush because the plastic bristles were too coarse, continues Liz.Watch your horses body language as youre brushing them and theyll usually tell you if theyre enjoying being brushed with a plastic curry comb or not.If you are concerned that your horse may not enjoy being brushed with a specific brush, Liz recommends trying the followingPlastic curry combs are useful for removing mud1 Try a rubber curry combThis is a great substitute for a plastic curry comb, says Liz. These are really good for removing mud and loose hair.2 Switch to a Magic BrushMagic Brushes are very useful for doing the same job and have lots of finer plastic bristles, which are also much softer, explains Liz. Find out more about these great little brushes later in this article.3 Watch how much pressure youre applyingTry brushing your own arm with the same pressure you use on your horse, suggests Liz. That way, youll have a better understanding of what your chosen brush feels like to them.Clean grooming brushes with a metal curry combHow to use a metal curry combUnlike their plastic or rubber counterparts, metal curry combs arent intended to be used on the horse itself.Instead, these are used to clean other grooming brushes, such as the body brush or dandy brush, by removing dirt and dust during the grooming process.After every few strokes of the body brush on the horses coat, run the bristles of the body brush across the metal teeth of the curry comb.This loosens and removes any unwanted build up of dirt, aiding in cleaning the horse and prolonging the life of the brush.The dirtier or dustier the horse you are grooming, the more you will need to use a metal curry comb too.Youll need to clean a metal curry comb regularly, as it collects loose hair and dirt. Remember to dry it well after any hand wash, though, so that it doesnt rust.Shop for a curry combLincoln Rubber Curry CombThis is a traditional rubber curry comb with a rubber handle. It comes in two sizes.Colours:Black, baby pink, blue, cerise pink, green, purple, red, tealSizes: Small or largeRRP 2.99Purchase hereInternational delivery availableHorse Guard Circular Rubber Curry CombThis curry comb is strong and comfortable, with a circular shape for ease of use. The rubber spikes grip onto loose hair or dirt, making it perfect to assist with coat changes as well as year-round use.Colour:BlackOne size.RRP 3.99 (US $4.22; 4,63)Purchase here International delivery availableElico Rubber Curry CombThis expertly-made curry comb is made from soft rubber thats tough yet kind on skin. It encourages unwanted hair, mud and grease to the surface of your horses coat.It can also be used to clean your body brush by rubbing the surface of the bristles.Colour:BlackSize:Small or largeRRP 1.80 (small), 2.15 (large)Purchase hereInternational delivery availableLeMieux Flexi Curry CombThe LeMieux Flexi Curry Comb curry comb is idea for getting out dirt, dust and loose hair. The flexible design of the LeMieux Flexi Curry Comb allows it to reach almost every part of the horses body for a deep clean that not only feels great for your horse but is also comfortable for you.The ergonomic shape fits into the hand perfectly which reduces wrist strain and gripping effort on the brush, while an elasticated strap allows for the perfect fit.Colour:Black.One sizeRRP 9.95 (US $15.95)Buying in the UK? Purchase hereBuying in the US? Purchase hereHorze Large Rubber Curry CombThis brush massages the skin whilst removing dust and loose hair.Colours: Blue, black (US only), green (US only), red (US only).One size.RRP 2.99 (US $4.99; 2,99)Buying in the UK? Purchase hereBuying in the US? Purchase hereHorze Eco Curry CombThis curry comb is part of Horzes eco-grooming collection. It is sustainably made from straw and is an easy-to-clean, soft material featuring an aztec print.Colour: BeigeOne sizeRRP 5.99 (US $10.99; 5,99)Buying in the UK? Purchase hereBuying in the US? Purchase hereMagic Brush 3 PackThese brushes are useful for grooming the horses coat to remove dirt, mud, dried sweat and hair. They can be used when bathing for shampoo.They are also great for cleaning the hoof and frog.These versatile brushes also easily remove horse hair from saddle pads and rugs, and are machine washable.Colours:Multiple colours availableOne sizeRRP 16.34 ($20.78; 18,95)Purchase hereInternational delivery availableShowmaster Rubber Curry Comb FlexibleA very flexible rubber curry comb made of soft plastic. The round edge provides a firm grip when grooming and reduces fatigue. It features an adjustable strap.Colours:Graphite, Atlantic green, pale rose pinkOne size(16 x 9.5cm with adjustable strap)RRP 3.99Purchase hereEuropean delivery availableBusse Curry-Comb GripThis curry comb has a synthetic back with rubber for extra grip. It also features a webbing hand strap.Colours:Pink/grey, cyan/greyOne sizeRRP 8.99Purchase hereInternational delivery availableEqclusive Curry Comb New GenerationThis curry comb is crafted with precision and a distinctive dual-material construction that ensures effective grooming.It has a hard back to evenly distribute pressure through the comb, meaning there are no pressure points.The interior is uniquely pliable and soft, crafted to adapt to the natural contours of your horses coat, skin and delicate areas. It lifts dirt, debris and loose hair.Colours: Black, blue, green, red, pink, purple, grey.One sizeRRP 8.40Purchase here International delivery availableShowmaster Curry Comb ScratchyThis soft rubber curry comb is comfortable to use and good for sensitive areas like the head, poll and legs. It is great for itchy horses as well as when their coats are sweaty following exercise.Colours: Black, dark denim, dark green, mauveOne size(12.5 x 5.5cm)RRP 4.99Purchase here European delivery availableShowmaster Curry CombThis plastic curry comb has an adjustable handle and comes in three colours.Colours:Black, pomegranate, navyOne size(adjustable handle)RRP 1.99Purchase here European delivery availableBusse Curry Comb Nadel Flexi-ProThis curry comb is made of a synthetic-rubber mixture in a comfortably flexible design. It has an adjustable wrist strap.Colour: BlueOne size(adjustable wrist strap)RRP 8.99Purchase here International delivery availableRelated contentMane and tail detanglers independently tested by horse ridersStep-by-step guide to plaiting a mane *VIDEO*Essential brushes for your grooming kitGive your horse a makeoverHave you tried a horse grooming vacuum?The post Why a versatile curry comb should be in every horses grooming kit appeared first on Your Horse.