Every rider should have a curry comb in their grooming kit — they’re quite possibly the most versatile horse brush on the planet.
Curry combs are great for getting even the thickest clumps of mud out of the dirtiest coat, including fiddly areas like between the front legs and around the coronet band, and removing loose hair from brushes or the horse’s body.
They’re satisfying to use too. You can use the rubber versions in a circular motion, unlike other brushes with which you always follow the direction of the horse’s coat. With a curry comb, the more you mix it up the better the results.
What is a curry comb?
If your horse is anything like mine, they’ll love being muddy — and when it comes to removing that mud from their body, you’ll need to enlist the help of a curry comb.
Traditionally available made from three materials — plastic, rubber or metal — a curry comb is great for lifting and removing loose hair, dirt and grease from a horse’s coat, especially when they’re muddy.
A curry comb also doubles up as a fantastic way to scratch your horse’s favourite itchy spots, which can help improve your bond and relationship. I’ve found this to be the case with both of my horses.
Brushing off mud
Of all the brushes you have in your horse’s grooming kit, a curry comb is best at tackling mud.
“Without the help of a hose, the only way to get mud off is through hard work,” agrees professional groom Helen Babington-Smith.
“I’d let it dry, then use a rubber or plastic curry comb to break the mud up, before flicking it off with a long-bristled dandy brush.
“Then use the curry comb again, this time alternating it with a body brush to get the underlying dust out.
“Finally sponge over the worst areas with a damp (not wet) sponge.”
Sometimes it might be necessary to use a plastic curry comb on a particularly muddy mane, but care must taken.
Avoid using it on a tail — no matter how dirty it is — to prevent damaging this delicate hair and causing your horse discomfort.
It’s better to wash a muddy tail instead and use detangler when it’s clean before gently brushing it through with a soft brush.
Correct use of a rubber curry comb
There is something very satisfying about using a rubber curry comb, as it makes light work of mud and dirt.
It should be used in circular motions on your horse’s coat. Using a rubber curry comb in this way may help to tone up muscles while increasing blood flow and circulation in the horse’s body.
As you use the rubber curry comb to massage all over their body, you’ll start to remove the dead and loose hair, which is the first step towards a nice coat shine.
Romeo, my Irish sports horse, always grows a rather thick, coarse coat come winter, whilst Alfie, my ex-racehorse, has a thick yet much finer coat, and can also get quite greasy.
Both of them are united in one thing: getting mucky. They love a good roll, and whilst I love spending time grooming them, it can take quite a while to get them both clean.
I’ll often reach for a rubber curry comb first when brushing them, as it’s great for loosening off mud. It’s also soft and gentle enough to be used on tricky or delicate areas like the lower leg and face.
I find rubber curry combs more comfortable to hold than many other brushes because of this, so it makes a long grooming session that bit easier.
I’ll use it over the whole body, and then flick any dust, loose dirt or hair off with a dandy brush. It’s great for scratching their itchy spots too, so I usually end up being groomed back, which I think strengthens our bond.
Can a plastic curry comb cause damage?
Some riders have reported that plastic curry combs have created micro-abrasions on their horse’s coat and stripped the hair of its natural coating. But is this true?
“Reports online have suggested that this is the case, and that sharp ends of plastic curry combs can even damage the skin,” warns Liz Daniels, a former professional groom and communications director at the British Grooms Association who now works for Riders Minds.
“When grooming your horse, it’s important to use good quality products, and if you’re using a plastic curry comb then make sure the ends are rounded.
“While I have never experienced a plastic curry comb causing any harm, I have seen a similar thing with a cheaper ‘flicker’ brush because the plastic bristles were too coarse,” continues Liz.
“Watch your horse’s body language as you’re brushing them and they’ll usually tell you if they’re enjoying being brushed with a plastic curry comb or not.”
If you are concerned that your horse may not enjoy being brushed with a specific brush, Liz recommends trying the following…
Plastic curry combs are useful for removing mud
1 Try a rubber curry comb
“This is a great substitute for a plastic curry comb,” says Liz. “These are really good for removing mud and loose hair.”
2 Switch to a Magic Brush
“Magic Brushes are very useful for doing the same job and have lots of finer plastic bristles, which are also much softer,” explains Liz. Find out more about these great little brushes later in this article.
3 Watch how much pressure you’re applying
“Try brushing your own arm with the same pressure you use on your horse,” suggests Liz. “That way, you’ll have a better understanding of what your chosen brush feels like to them.”
Clean grooming brushes with a metal curry comb
How to use a metal curry comb
Unlike their plastic or rubber counterparts, metal curry combs aren’t intended to be used on the horse itself.
Instead, these are used to clean other grooming brushes, such as the body brush or dandy brush, by removing dirt and dust during the grooming process.
After every few strokes of the body brush on the horse’s coat, run the bristles of the body brush across the metal teeth of the curry comb.
This loosens and removes any unwanted build up of dirt, aiding in cleaning the horse and prolonging the life of the brush.
The dirtier or dustier the horse you are grooming, the more you will need to use a metal curry comb too.
You’ll need to clean a metal curry comb regularly, as it collects loose hair and dirt. Remember to dry it well after any hand wash, though, so that it doesn’t rust.
Shop for a curry comb
Lincoln Rubber Curry Comb
This is a traditional rubber curry comb with a rubber handle. It comes in two sizes.
Colours: Black, baby pink, blue, cerise pink, green, purple, red, teal
Sizes: Small or large
RRP £2.99
Purchase here International delivery available
Horse Guard Circular Rubber Curry Comb
This curry comb is strong and comfortable, with a circular shape for ease of use. The rubber spikes grip onto loose hair or dirt, making it perfect to assist with coat changes as well as year-round use.
Colour: Black
One size. RRP £3.99 (US $4.22; 4,63€)
Purchase here International delivery available
Elico Rubber Curry Comb
This expertly-made curry comb is made from soft rubber that’s tough yet kind on skin. It encourages unwanted hair, mud and grease to the surface of your horse’s coat. It can also be used to clean your body brush by rubbing the surface of the bristles.
Colour: Black
Size: Small or large
RRP £1.80 (small), £2.15 (large)
Purchase here International delivery available
LeMieux Flexi Curry Comb
The LeMieux Flexi Curry Comb curry comb is idea for getting out dirt, dust and loose hair. The flexible design of the LeMieux Flexi Curry Comb allows it to reach almost every part of the horse’s body for a deep clean that not only feels great for your horse but is also comfortable for you.
The ergonomic shape fits into the hand perfectly which reduces wrist strain and gripping effort on the brush, while an elasticated strap allows for the perfect fit.
Colour: Black. One size RRP £9.95 (US $15.95)
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Buying in the US? Purchase here
Horze Large Rubber Curry Comb
This brush massages the skin whilst removing dust and loose hair.
Colours: Blue, black (US only), green (US only), red (US only).
One size. RRP £2.99 (US $4.99; 2,99€)
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Buying in the US? Purchase here
Horze Eco Curry Comb
This curry comb is part of Horze’s eco-grooming collection. It is sustainably made from straw and is an easy-to-clean, soft material featuring an aztec print.
Colour: Beige One size
RRP £5.99 (US $10.99; 5,99€)
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Buying in the US? Purchase here
Magic Brush 3 Pack
These brushes are useful for grooming the horse’s coat to remove dirt, mud, dried sweat and hair. They can be used when bathing for shampoo.
They are also great for cleaning the hoof and frog. These versatile brushes also easily remove horse hair from saddle pads and rugs, and are machine washable.
Colours: Multiple colours available One size
RRP £16.34 ($20.78; 18,95€)
Purchase here International delivery available
Showmaster Rubber Curry Comb Flexible
A very flexible rubber curry comb made of soft plastic. The round edge provides a firm grip when grooming and reduces fatigue. It features an adjustable strap.
Colours: Graphite, Atlantic green, pale rose pink
One size (16 x 9.5cm with adjustable strap)
RRP £3.99
Purchase here European delivery available
Busse Curry-Comb Grip
This curry comb has a synthetic back with rubber for extra grip. It also features a webbing hand strap.
Colours: Pink/grey, cyan/grey
One size RRP £8.99
Purchase here International delivery available
Eqclusive Curry Comb New Generation
This curry comb is crafted with precision and a distinctive dual-material construction that ensures effective grooming.
It has a hard back to evenly distribute pressure through the comb, meaning there are no pressure points.
The interior is uniquely pliable and soft, crafted to adapt to the natural contours of your horse’s coat, skin and delicate areas. It lifts dirt, debris and loose hair.
Colours: Black, blue, green, red, pink, purple, grey.
One size RRP £8.40
Purchase here International delivery available
Showmaster Curry Comb Scratchy
This soft rubber curry comb is comfortable to use and good for sensitive areas like the head, poll and legs. It is great for itchy horses as well as when their coats are sweaty following exercise.
Colours: Black, dark denim, dark green, mauve
One size (12.5 x 5.5cm)
RRP £4.99
Purchase here European delivery available
Showmaster Curry Comb
This plastic curry comb has an adjustable handle and comes in three colours.
Colours: Black, pomegranate, navy
One size (adjustable handle)
RRP £1.99
Purchase here European delivery available
Busse Curry Comb Nadel Flexi-Pro
This curry comb is made of a synthetic-rubber mixture in a comfortably flexible design. It has an adjustable wrist strap.
Colour: Blue
One size (adjustable wrist strap)
RRP £8.99
Purchase here International delivery available
