Essential Horse Grooming Products, Tools and Tips for a Show-Stopping Shine

Loz
Sep 20
5 min read

Updated: Sep 20

Your Guide to Keeping Horses Healthy, Happy and Looking Their Best

If you love seeing your horse gleaming in the paddock or stealing the show at competitions, you know that grooming is about more than just appearances. It’s a vital part of horse care, helping maintain healthy skin and coats, building trust, and spotting issues early. Over the years, I’ve trialled heaps of products and tools, and today I’m excited to share my top picks and best grooming tips to keep your horse looking a million bucks—whether you’re prepping for a show or just bringing out their natural shine at home.

My Must-Have Grooming Products

Shampoos

Troy HossGloss: I swear by this all-rounder shampoo for every horse in the stable. It gets the coat squeaky clean, is gentle on skin, and leaves a gorgeous finish.
Hairy Pony Double Strength Purple Shampoo: If you’ve got a grey, you know the struggle of keeping stains at bay! This purple shampoo is a game-changer for brightening up those pale coats and removing tough marks.

Conditioners

Hi Shine Equine Showtime Coat Oil: For a silky, healthy shine on any horse, I love this lightweight coat oil. It conditions and adds gloss without leaving a greasy residue—perfect for finishing touches before a show or just a special arvo in the sun.
Hairy Pony Purple Hair Treatment: Specifically for greys, this treatment not only nourishes but also helps keep yellowing at bay. It pairs beautifully with the purple shampoo for that head-turning sparkle.
Hi Shine Equine Intensify Hair Mask Treatment: Mane and tail looking a bit scruffy? This rich mask brings back softness and manageability, making brushing a breeze and reducing breakage.

Treatments

Hi Shine Equine Hot Coat Conditioner: A good ‘hot oil’ treatment is my secret weapon for tired, dry coats—especially after winter or before a big event. This product deeply conditions, leaving a lasting glow that really stands out under lights or in the Aussie sun. This is also an amazing product to use in the Winter with warm water. It helps keep the coat from drying/flaking out.
Hi Shine Equine Intensify Hair Mask Treatment: A beautifully smelling and deep treating mask for manes and tails that need some TLC.
Dr Show Mane & Tail Detangler: Knotty manes or tails? I use this to get the worst of the worst knots out! I put it in. Wait 5-10minutes and then brush. This gives the product a chance to deeply penetrate the hair strands to maximise the knots coming out without damaging the strands.
Hi Shine Glass Pro Coat Laminator: Need that lasting shine for days? I use this product to really enhance the natural shine of the horse's coat. Apply this with a wool mitt for best results (and for horses who are a bit more sensitive to sprays).
Absorbine Clear or Black Hoof Polish: Need neat looking hooves? Use this product to get a clean coloured hoof. Make sure you put this on in a place where you don't mind stains (i.e. as these will stay on concrete!) as this is a powerful stain for hooves.

Plaiting/Braiding

NTR Braid Smoother: This is the ultimate product to stop whispy hair strands or "fly aways" when you are plaiting the mane and forelock.
NTR Sculpting Stick: Needing your braids to be locked in? This stuff is the bomb for that! Holds braids really well. Extra tip from me here, is once your are done plaiting, apply hair spray and put a tight skinny hood on your horse for extra setting and stopping the plaits being rubbed out.

Top Grooming Tools I Can’t Live Without

Rubber Curry Comb: Perfect for removing loose hair and dirt, and it gives your horse a nice massage at the same time.
SleekEZ Large Grooming Tool (10"): For those times of the year when your horse sheds its coat. This is a game changer.
Tiger's Tongue Horse Groomer: Need to remove tougher dirt like dandruff, mud and end with some sparkle? This is always on hand in my grooming kit.
Holman QuickMix or Hoselink Fertiliser Sprayer Mixer: Don't like getting wet or want to speed up bathing time dramatically. This is my best kept secret! Attach these to your hose and boom, 1-step wetting and shampooing in one!
Magic Brush or Showmaster Tactile Grooming Gloves: As part of bathing time with my horses, to get into the dirt and skin layer, I use these tools to help speed up the process.
Hairy Pony Scissor Set: Need to tidy up the ends of manes or tails, then these are the heavy duty scissors you need.
Hairy Pony Polishing Mitt: Needing to apply coat shine or enhance it. This is my go-to mitt for use.
Hoof Co. Hoof Pick: I love this hoof pick as it has a metal wire bristle brush end which gets off tougher, stuck on muck, like poop and really dry clay/mud.
Haas Hoof Pick: Have a more sensitive horse and don't want the wire brush end. This is the ultimate hoof pick.
Dermaplane Razor: Need an amazing bot fly egg remover? Yeah, I don't use the "knives". I've switched to these dermaplane razors as they are cheaper and more effective.

My Favourite Grooming Tips

Consistency is key: A regular grooming routine makes a world of difference. Even a quick daily brush helps keep coats healthy and reduces the risk of skin issues.
Check as you go: While grooming, keep an eye out for cuts, swelling, ticks or anything unusual. It’s the best time for a quick health check. Good idea to have your Equine First Aid Kit stocked up for this!
Don’t forget the little things: Clean your grooming tools regularly and give your horse’s face, ears and legs some TLC too!
Use the right products for your horse: Greys need those extra stain-busting formulas, while dark horses often love a good coat oil or gloss.
Reward your horse: Make grooming a positive experience with scratches, a slow feeder hay net, treats, or a bit of extra fussing—they’ll soon look forward to it as much as you do!

Whether you’re an old hand or new to the world of horses, the right products and tools make grooming a pleasure rather than a chore. Give some of these recommendations a go and let me know if you have any favourite products or secret hacks—I’m always keen for a yarn about all things horsey!