Keeping things shiny, soft and clean in the January gloom

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and are feeling rested, recharged and ready for the year ahead. Here in Sweden the snow has truly arrived, and it’s been cold… really cold! I’ve also heard it’s been very chilly back in the UK and the rest of Europe with snow for some of you! Make sure you’re all wrapped up warm when you head out to the stables and keep those toes and fingers toasty…

With the festive season behind us, I thought it would be fun to focus this month’s blog on something a little more budget friendly. We all know that January can be a tough month for finances, so let’s talk about grooming products (those little essentials that make all the difference without breaking the bank!) Keeping Takida looking smart and well cared for whatever the time of year is always a priority for me, so I’m sharing some of my all-time favorite grooming products that help me achieve that. I’ve broken it down into three sections: tack care, grooming essentials and occasional TLC products. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!

Tack Care: Keeping Leather Clean and Conditioned

During the winter months, caring for your tack is especially important. I probably don’t need to tell you that wet, muddy conditions and freezing temperatures can take a toll on leather, so it’s essential to keep it clean, let it dry naturally and condition it regularly to keep it in good shape.

One of my go-to products for quick tack cleaning is the K9 Leather Cleanse and Moisturizer. It’s a fantastic cleaner that I use after every ride to give Takida’s tack a quick once-over. It removes dirt and sweat while gently moisturising the leather to keep it supple and protected. You can find it here: K9 Leather Cleanse and Moisturizer.

Grooming Essentials: Keeping Mud at Bay

If you’re dealing with muddy fields, muddy hacks and well, muddy everything when the ice melts, you’ll know how much of a challenge winter grooming can be! Having the right brushes and shampoos makes the job so much easier, and I swear by HAAS brushes – they’re genuinely the best brushes I’ve used, and I use them and only them for Takida. They’re designed to work with the horse’s coat, distributing natural oils and leaving the coat shiny and healthy. You can check out the full range here: HAAS Brushes.

When it comes to bathing Takida, I use the K9 Black Out Shampoo. It’s specially formulated for dark coats like his, enhancing their natural shine and keeping them looking sleek and doesn’t he just gleam? It’s also formulated for sensitive coats, so if your horse gets itchy or suffers skin conditions, you should be just fine with this range. You can grab it here: K9 Black Out Shampoo.

For daily maintenance, I use the K9 Aloe Vera Nano Spray and Detangler. It’s a brilliant product that keeps Takida’s mane and tail tangle-free and silky smooth – and it’s even got anti-static to stop hairs sticking to stuff. I spray it on every day to make grooming much easier (and therefore more enjoyable) for both of us. You can find it here: K9 Aloe Vera Nano Spray and Detangler.

After each grooming session, I finish off with a quick spritz of K9 Aloe Vera Showshine Mirra Shine. It adds a lovely gloss to Takida’s coat, mane and tail, making him look his absolute best. The bottles are so cool too, working even when they’re totally upside down. Here’s the link: K9 Aloe Vera Showshine Mirra Shine.

Occasional TLC: Balms and Wound Care

Winter, when they’re often buried under rugs and stabled a lot, can be tough on your horse’s skin, hooves and coat, so having a few TLC products on hand is always a good idea. These are the ones I keep in my grooming kit to use as and when needed.

For any cuts or scrapes, I reach for the K9 Vetline Antiseptic Wound Aid. It’s a reliable wound care product that I’ve used for everything from minor nicks to helping more serious scrapes heal after the vet’s treated them. You can find it here: K9 Vetline Antiseptic Wound Aid.

When Takida’s hooves need a bit of extra care, I use the K9 Hydra Hoof Balm. It’s a great product for keeping hooves moisturised and healthy through the winter months, and it’s also fantastic for my hands when they get dry and cracked from the cold! If you suffer from chapped hands, then trying this is a must. Here’s the link: K9 Hydra Hoof Balm.

When I have a bit more time for bathing Takida, I like to use the K9 Black Out Conditioner after I’ve shampooed him. It’s a conditioner that naturally softens the coat and adds beautiful lustre to his coat. You can use it on their mane and tail too, and it’s anti-static which is wonderful when I’m constantly pulling rugs on and off him! It really is a wonder product that makes his black coat look incredible even on the gloomiest days. Here’s the link to this one: K9 Black Out Conditioner.

Finally, when his mane and tail need a little extra help, I turn to K9’s Hydra The Cure Mane n’ Tail. It’s a great treatment for keeping hair healthy and strong, even in when it’s getting wet, frozen and muddy. You can find it here: Hydra The Cure Mane n’ Tail.

I hope you’ve found this blog helpful! Grooming your horse through the winter doesn’t have to be a chore if you have the right products and tools on hand. And remember, these little essentials can be a great way to treat yourself or your horse without spending a fortune.

Stay warm, stay safe and give your horses a big hug from me and Takida!