Horse glossary
Dandy Brush
A stiff brush to flick dirt away.
In Spanish: Cepillo duro
What it means
A dandy brush is a stiff-bristled brush used right after the curry comb to sweep the loosened dirt and dead hair off the coat. You brush with short strokes in the direction the hair grows and flick your wrist at the end of each stroke.
Why it matters
The dandy brush removes most of the dirt that currying brought up. A clean coat under the saddle and girth helps prevent rubs and sores, and a well-brushed horse is more comfortable to ride.
Example
Brush in the direction of the hair.
Try this
Keep one hand on the horse as you work so it always knows where you are. Stand beside the horse, never directly behind it, and work from the neck back toward the tail on each side.
Common mistake
Brushing against the direction of the hair pushes dirt back in and can feel scratchy. Many horses also dislike stiff bristles on the face, so switch to a softer brush there.