Whether you’re trying to keep your horse’s coat healthy and clean or give him a show-winning shine, there are so many different horse brushes to choose from! With so many options out there, it can be hard to know which ones are best suited for the job. Luckily, I have done the research for you and put together a list of the 7 best horse brushes of 2023 that you need to have in your grooming kit.
Types of Horse Brushes
Dandy Brush
There are several types of horse brushes designed for different purposes. A dandy brush is typically a long oval brush with stiff, long bristles. The action of the dandy brush is to capture the loose dirt and hair that has been brought to the surface with the curry comb, and you can brush or flick that excess dirt and hair away. The bristles can be natural (like rice root bristles) or synthetic. But the bristles of the dandy brush need to be stiff in order to do their job.
Body Brush
A body brush is a brush with shorter bristles. I have found most of my preferred body brushes have a hand strap to hold your hand in the brush. And the job of the body brush is to, again, distribute the oils of the coat, which will produce a deep shine to the coat. And it also helps to remove some dirt and loose hair. The bristles are typically some sort of natural hair. The bristles can be soft or firm, but they are seldom as stiff as a dandy brush.
Curry Comb
A curry comb isn’t really a comb at all. It is actually considered a brush. This is probably one of my favorite tools. In fact, the curry comb is the first brush I use when I’m grooming, and I continue using it through the entire grooming process. A curry comb can be made from metal or hard rubber, and now a softer rubber-type material is being used. The curry comb helps to loosen up the dirt and dander of the horse’s coat while distributing the deep-down natural oils of his skin beneath the coat of hair.
Ok, now that we have a few of the different types of brushes defined, now we can get down to the best of the best horse brushes for 2023! And here they are, in no particular order.
1. Posture Prep Cross Fiber Groomer
Oh my goodness, I love this brush! It’s kind of a cross between a massager for your horse and a curry comb. It’s made of a semi-hard plastic material. And it works fantastic as a curry comb. In fact, this is the main brush I use during the winter when my horse has really long hair. The Posture Prep Groomer is a fabulous addition to your grooming box. It is different from other grooming tools in that it helps release fascia and loosen tight areas that contribute to your horse’s posture when used correctly.
It fits perfectly in your hand, is simple to use, and comes with illustrated instructions. Dr. Pat has perfected her tool over many years to provide horse owners the opportunity to help their horses be comfortable and to perform at their best regardless of discipline. Plezant loves this horse brush. He will immediately breathe out and relaxes when I start grooming him.
2. SleekEZ Horse Grooming Shedding Tool
This is another of my most favorite ‘brushes’. Ok, so it’s not a brush per se, but you’ll use it as much as you use your regular brushes! I know shedding season is still a few months away. But today, when I was brushing Plezant’s face – long hairs were coming out! This is so exciting!
If you have never tried the Sleek EZ tool – the best time to try it out is almost here. That is when shedding season begins. The blade on the bottom has a wavy edge that helps it grab loose hair. And when it is full of hair, you simply give the tool a flick, and all of the loose hair flies away. Is there anything more satisfying than watching the clumps of hair leave? I think not! But this tool is definitely one you need to get if you don’t already have one. It will make the shedding season much easier.
The Best Horse Brushes For 2023
If you want to see it in action, I made a video of it:
3. Haas Diamond Gloss Soft Body Brush
The Diamond Gloss Soft Body Brush from HAAS has horsehair bristles to smooth and polish your horse’s coat. And it gives a fabulous shine. Haas brushes are made in Germany and are really the top of the line when it comes to quality. The Diamond Gloss Soft Body Brush has super dense 1.25″ black natural horsehair bristles. And it really is ideal as a finishing brush. It’s perfect for removing fine dust and giving your horse’s coat a polish and lustrous shine.
And that may sound a bit dramatic. But seriously, this brush is something special.
4. Haas Diamond Wurzel Stiff Body Brush
And going along with the Diamond Soft Body Brush, we have the Diamond Wurzel Stiff Body Brush. The waterproof and shatter-resistant body of the brush is made of a black resin that integrates tiny gold sparkles.
And it has a synthetic leather hand loop. Making it easy to control the brush while you’re using it. The bristles are directly incorporated within the body of the brush to eliminate the use of nails, spikes, screws, or glue. This is one of the reasons these brushes are so fantastic!
Now, if you use this brush, as well as the Diamond Gloss finishing brush, in your regular grooming routine, you will have a very shiny and happy horse.
5. Hill Brush Company Super Groomer
For as long as I have had horses, I have been hunting for the perfect face brush for my horses. I thought I had gotten close a couple of times. But sadly, nope. That was until I found this awesome little brush.
This is the Super Groomer Soft & Gentle Rubber Grooming Brush. And it is soft, and it is gentle! Gentle enough to be used on a very sensitive-faced horse and have him actually like it. I call that a win! And I think that with how technology has improved, the products that we get to choose from for our horses is improving as well.
Ideal for a variety of uses, the Super Groomer Soft & Gentle Rubber Grooming Brush is bound to become a favorite around your barn too! I have heard that this brush is known as “The Essential Gentle Grooming Brush,” and I would have to agree. It has a super light touch, which makes it perfect for a gentle face brush for horses. It also is a nice size – it is 5″ long and about 2 1/2″ wide. So it fits nicely in your hand while you are using it.
It’s easy to clean and extremely durable. You can even use it for things other than brushing your horse, like removing horse hair from blankets. Talk about multi-purpose!
6. Tail Tamer Rainbow Curved Handle Mane and Tail Brush
Now I have to include the Tail Tamer Brush in my top 10 because this is a wonderful brush. I don’t truly consider it a ‘brush’. But technically- it is! If you want to gently brush your horse’s tail without removing excess precious tail hair – this is the brush you want.
The brush is made from ABS plastic with a slotted and laser-sealed brush pad. This means the brush won’t pull apart while brushing even the thickest of tails. And I think the reason this brush works so well is the wavy bristles. I could be wrong, but I think this is the secret. It works great, and it’s made really well. I have read some reviews where the handle comes off. But I haven’t had that problem with mine.
7. Stubben No.8 Mane Brush
I’m not quite sure why this is considered a mane brush. I really bought it because of the long bristles, which makes it a perfect ‘flick’ type brush. This really is a beautiful brush. And I don’t use it at all during the winter months. But when the coats get short – I bring out this brush.
The Stubben No.8 Mane Brush is a fantastic addition to your grooming kit. This is a really high quality flicker brush. And it does work well for manes and tails as well. So maybe this is the true purpose of this brush? I’m not sure. But I know it works really well to get the dust off!
The Best of the Best Horse Brushes for 2023
Regular grooming with quality brushes is essential for the overall health and well-being of our horses. It not only helps to keep their coats looking shiny, but it also promotes improved circulation. Brushing your horse regularly will help you to identify how they are doing. As well as making sure they look beautiful.
And with all that grooming, it’s important to use quality brushes that will stand up to heavy use. All of the brushes I have shared with you are ones that I personally use and highly recommend. So if you have been searching for the perfect new brush for your grooming kit, I really hope you’ll consider one from this list. I promise you will be very happy that you did!
Happy Grooming!
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Mildred S. Johnson
I try Haas Diamond Wurzel Stiff Body Brush. What sets the Diamond Wurzel apart is its thoughtful design. The bristles are not only effective but also gentle on the horse’s skin, ensuring a comfortable grooming experience. The ergonomic shape fits comfortably in my hand, making it easy to use for extended grooming sessions.
I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my horse’s coat condition since I started using this brush regularly. It’s become an essential part of our grooming routine, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. If you’re serious about maintaining your horse’s coat health and appearance, the Haas Diamond Wurzel Stiff Body Brush is a must-have! 💎🐴