10/13/2026
Have you ever considered how something as simple as brushing your horse can influence their sensory experience?
Research on equine tactile stimulation suggests that gentle grooming and scratching may promote relaxation in some horses. And when a horse finds a particular type of touch rewarding, it can even be used as positive reinforcement (R+) during training!
✨ Potential applications:
• Gentle sensory stimulation
• Supporting relaxation and positive handling experiences
• Building trust through individualized care
• Using preferred touch as a training reward
Your horse's skin is a sensory organ.
Gentle brushing provides tactile stimulation through the skin and hair follicles.
Touch can promote relaxation.
Research suggests that gentle grooming and scratching can have calming effects in some horses.
Touch can even be a reward!
When a horse enjoys being scratched, it can be used as positive reinforcement (R+) during training.
🤎 Every horse has different preferences. Pay attention to body language, use an appropriate brush and comfortable pressure, and adjust to the individual horse.
Important: Research on grooming and tactile stimulation is promising, but dry brushing itself has not been established as a treatment for improved circulation, lymphatic drainage, digestion, or muscle recovery.