Regular Friesian grooming is essential for maintaining the appearance, health, and performance of this inspiring breed. Known for their long flowing manes, lush tails, and signature feathering above the hooves, Friesians require a consistent grooming routine to prevent buildup of dirt or debris, skin irritation, and tangles in their manes and tails. Grooming isn’t just about appearance—it’s about overall care, bonding, and early detection of issues such as skin infections, fungal infections, and wounds.
At The Farm at Brookside, grooming care is provided as part of boarding. In this article, we’ll cover the basics of Friesian grooming, including daily brushing, mane and tail detangling, periodic overall bathing, washing the mane and tail, and specific care for the distinctive feathering.
Table of Contents
Daily Grooming Routine for Friesians
Daily Friesian grooming helps remove dirt, debris, and loose hair, while also promoting healthy circulation. It’s especially important for Friesians due to their thick manes, tails, and feathering, which can trap debris and moisture.
Grooming the Body
A Friesian grooming session can include brushing the horse’s body and cleaning/checking the hooves. Different types of tools serve different purposes:
- Curry Comb: This rubber/plastic brush can be used in a circular motion to loosen dirt, debris, and shedding hair from the coat. Buildup can occur especially under the mane and around the tail. This brushing also can stimulate circulation.
- Hard or Dandy Brush: Once dirt, debris, and hair are loosened, a stiff-bristled brush can sweep them away. It can be used in short, flicking motions made in the direction of hair growth. This brush may work best on less sensitive areas like the horse’s upper body, but it may be too rough for areas such as the face, belly, and legs. (United States Pony Clubs).
- Soft Brush / Body Brush / Finishing Brush: A soft-bristled brush removes finer dust and may be used on sensitive areas like the face, belly, and legs. It also can smooth and polish the coat.
- Hoof Pick: Essential for daily care, this tool removes dirt, mud, manure, and stones from the hooves. Regular hoof cleaning can help prevent thrush and other hoof-related issues. The daily act of examining the hooves—and the horse overall—can help catch infections and injuries early.
Friesians can benefit from a full-body brush down with hoof cleaning/check. Regular grooming also can build trust and partnership between the horse and handler.
Detangling the Mane and Tail
Perhaps the most iconic features of a Friesian are its long thick mane and tail. However, these come with maintenance responsibilities.
Tools and Techniques
- Wide-Toothed Comb: This is a go-to tool for separating and detangling without breaking strands.
- Detangling Spray or Conditioner: Light, leave-in products help reduce friction and make combing easier.
- Fingers First: Some groomers may work mostly with their fingers to gently untangle knots and pick out any debris. They will use a comb only after fingers can be run through the hair without catching on tangles or burrs.
- Work from the Bottom Up: When using a comb, a general recommendation is to start at the ends of the hair and gently work upward to avoid pulling or breaking hair.
- Take Care when Brushing/Combing: If daily brushing/combing/fingering is done, a gentle approach plus detangler can help preserve the fullness and richness of the mane and tail.
Braiding the mane can help prevent tangling, especially if the horse is turned out or exercised frequently.
Bathing for Friesians
While daily brushing can be essential, full-body baths may be done periodically. Depending on conditions and activity, some groomers may bathe horses every few weeks, while others may bathe horses once or twice a week.
Bathing Guidelines
- Use Horse-Specific Shampoo: Choose a mild shampoo that can thoroughly clean the coat without stripping away natural oils.
- Rinse Thoroughly: Make sure all shampoo is rinsed out to avoid skin irritation.
- Drying: Dry with towels or allow air drying in a clean low-dust area.
- Spot Cleaning: Between baths, a gentle rub down with clean damp cloths after daily brushing can remove fine dust/soil and help give the coat a shiny polished look.
Some groomers caution against over-bathing, as frequent washing may strip natural oils from the coat and hair, leading to dryness or irritation.
Washing the Mane and Tail
Mane and tail care is a core component of Friesian grooming, requiring more attention than for other breeds due to their length and thickness.
Best Practices
- Use Detangling or Moisturizing Shampoos: These can help soften the hair and make combing easier.
- Massage Gently: Work shampoo into the mane and tail using your fingers, being careful not to create knots or matting.
- Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse until the water runs clear to ensure no residue remains.
- Conditioning: After shampooing, apply a horse-safe conditioner to help moisturize and protect against tangling. Some conditioners need to be rinsed out, while others are leave-in conditioners.
- Dry Completely: Allow the hair to air dry or gently towel dry. Some groomers prefer to follow towel drying with a blow dryer on a cooler setting.
Regular maintenance can help keep the mane and tail full and soft, and can help minimize tangles.
Caring for Feathering
Friesians are known for the long, flowing feathering on their lower legs. While visually striking, feathering can trap moisture, dirt, and microbes, leading to skin issues if not properly maintained.
Cleaning the Feathers
- Gentle Shampooing: Use a mild shampoo and massage into the hair, taking care to remove any debris.
- Rinse and Dry: Thorough rinsing is essential to avoid skin irritation. Use towels to dry the areas thoroughly, or allow the feathers to air dry if the environment is clean and dry. Some groomers will finish towel drying with blow drying.
- Frequent Inspection: Check for signs of irritation, scabbing, or “scratches” (also known as pastern dermatitis).
- Trimming: Some Friesian owners opt to lightly trim feathers to make care easier, especially during wet months. However, show horses often retain full feathering, so regular attention is even more crucial.
To prevent skin infections, it’s important to keep feathers dry and clean, especially in muddy or humid conditions.
Professional Friesian Grooming at The Farm at Brookside
Friesian grooming requires time, knowledge, and patience. At The Farm at Brookside, we are experienced in handling the grooming needs of Friesians, integrating daily and periodic care into our overall wellness and training routines.
Our expert team uses brushes, shampoos, and techniques to ensure that each horse receives the attention it deserves. We also can share tips on Friesian grooming so owners can use these in their own stables and for shows.
From detangling luxurious manes to caring for delicate feathering, our grooming approach ensures that every Friesian under our care looks and feels its best.
Conclusion
Friesian grooming is not just a practice—it’s a commitment to health, comfort, and elegance. With their thick manes, long tails, and graceful feathering, Friesians require a grooming regimen that addresses their unique qualities.
By brushing daily, detangling with care, bathing periodically, washing the mane and tail thoroughly, and attending to feathering, Friesian owners can keep their horses in peak condition. Regular grooming also strengthens the bond between horse and handler and plays a vital role in early detection of potential health issues.
At The Farm at Brookside, we place importance on our Friesian care practices and welcome inquiries from owners who seek optimal care for their equines. If you’re looking for breeding, training, or rehabilitation services for your Friesian, we invite you to visit thefarmatbrookside.com and contact us.
Source:
DeHerrera, Christine (Iron Spring Farm). “Friesian Grooming Tips” (Archive, Educational). ironspringfarm.com. 20 May 2019. https://www.ironspringfarm.com/news/friesian-grooming-tips/.
Henry, Miles (Horse Racing Sense). “Grooming Friesian Horses: Essential Tips for Care and Health.” horseracingsense.com. 28 November 2024. https://horseracingsense.com/grooming-friesian-horses-guide/.
Klimek, Kim (Horse Illustrated magazine). “Care of Long Manes and Tails.” horseillustrated.com. 1 January 2012. https://www.horseillustrated.com/equine-university-horse-college-horse-grooming-college-session-100-manes-and-tails-article/.
