Grooming To Win: How to Groom, Trim, Braid, and Prepare Your Horse for Show

The book covers a pretty comprehensive set of topics (braiding, types of brushes, clipping) but you could find free online video demonstrations/articles of most grooming techniques these days. I was sorry I bothered to buy this book.There are many ideas in the book that are questionable. For example, the book:-advises for turnout, "For valuable horses, no more than two should go out together." There are some horses that don't do well turned out with herd mates. But horses are herd animals and they are well-adapted to being turned out in groups of appropriate ages with sufficient space and access to water, food, and shelter. Some of the most valuable horses in the world (thoroughbred broodmares and foals) are turned out together. Expensive horses need not be deprived of the mental comfort that group turnout can bring.-claims a poultice will "draw out the soreness." You can draw liquid out with a syringe, you can draw water out from a membrane with osmotic pressure. Soreness isn't a physical substance that you pull out of a tissue. If a poultice works, how about providing an actual scientific medical explanation of why it will work?-gives instructions on "neck sweating", the practice of trying to dehydrate the skin on the horses neck to make the horse's neck look thinner. This book says, "Some stallions or thick-necked horses may need to be sweated every day in order to maintain a clean-looking neck." This is a stupid practice to advocate. If the horse is in proper condition (not obese, worked to used its muscles correctly) then its neck shouldn't need a cosmetic treatment to hide its outline. If a stallion's neck is so disproportionally short and thick that it looks like it would interfere with its athletic purpose, then it probably shouldn't be bred.-claims a gelding's sheath needs to be cleaned "every two to six months." Overcleaning to frequently is a recipe for chaffing and irritation. Most geldings do not need to be cleaned every few months.-Under "Trimming the Western Horse," suggests using Nair to remove your horse's ear hair. FFS, horses are animals, it's ok for them to have body hair and it helps keep insects out of the ears. It also has instructions for how to put on a weave in your horse's tail if your human vanity thinks the horse's tail isn't good enough.-cowardly sidesteps the question of tail-setting, a barbaric practice where the horse has its tail muscles cut for looks, preventing the horse from being able to move it (like swishing flies) .-has a forward by George Morris, a trainer banned by the USEF for using his position and power to solicit sexual favors from vulnerable young male students.

It took me a few months to decide whether or not to purchase this book. I'm glad I took the leap. I was considering entering Claire in Western Pleasure events and knew some of what was expected but this book really goes into the nuts and bolts of showing and how to prepare you horse and not just grooming but also conditioning the horse for the events. The author explains different type of brushes, the materials used and why you'd use it as well as the different types of shampoos, how to use and how often and why. I now have a better understanding of what chemicals to be aware of in whatever I use on Claire's coat, main and tail along w/ the hows and whys of keeping them stalled vs letting them stay out with the rest of the herd. I would highly recommend to anyone considering showing for the first time or those who have just purchased their first horse and need some sound advice on care and what to expect.

I purchased this book as a special surprise for my sister. We have grown up around horses but learned mainly on our own or from books. When my sister told me she wanted to start competing, I bought her this book mostly to help her learn how to braid for shows. She has read through this book many times and each time she says she learns more. It has been a very helpful guide for all types of grooming and gives tips based on your horse's conformation. It contains detailed, step-by-step descriptions and pictures to guide you through everything from hunter's cuts to difficult mane and tail braiding. It also gives general guidelines for grooming on a daily basis to help improve the condition of your horse's coat. Sturdy enough to take to the barn with you when you need to practice! Overall a wonderful book and a great value. Should be in every horse lover's library!

This book was recommended reading by the US Pony Club. It is full of useful information. My only complaint would be the pictures, it only has drawings, no photographs in this particular volume. Overall it is a very useful book, with detailed step-by-step instructions on preparing a horse for the show ring.

This is my favorite book on grooming. One doesn't have to compete for this book to be valid. It is an older book, and has advice for grooms I wish the grooms of today knew about and would take.

Susan Harris has written the definitive text for the beautification and care of the outside of the horse. Everyone who wants to know some of the best ways to bathe, braid and groom as well as the use of boots and other equipment should have this book.

There are. Dry technical instructions. Not any help for a Bigonner. Great for someone who is ready for superior details.

Great book

I picked up this book as I plan on getting back into showing. I have to admit there was very little in the book that I hadn't already known by simply working with horses over the 15 or so years now. However, with that said, 15 years ago this book would have been a godsend. If you are just getting into horses, then for sure by this book, it is jammed pack with information that would otherwise take years to acquire.

I have no bad comments on the book, but nothing really positive either yet. Amazon should give time to allow the purchaser to fully review and put into practice what is recommended . Especially in a trade book. As I said , at the moment I have no opinion either way until I have put all into practice. If available in the future I will review then.Thankyou

Nice little book. Well written and informative.

Nice

Very informative on how to do, what ro wear and lists prepartion timetables before shows and after. helpful information for people new to showing horses. Would recommend.