(“It’s too important to be left to guys.”)

I‘ve been asked to say a few words about grooming. How you take care of your horse, how you manage his health, and how you make him look and feel every day is vitally important. You might even say it’s too important to be left to guys.

Back before the Betty Frieda/Gloria Steinem-led revolution, we used to refer to grooming as woman’s work. In the modern age we men do what we recognize is our share. Guys intuitively know that in the summertime when we hose off our horse after he works, he’s automatically groomed for the next day. Wintertime grooming does involve more heavy lifting, but it’s always good to see that when you pull that blanket off the next morning it has magically been grooming your horse all night.

Admittedly, there are occasions when a horse does need a bit more attention. That’s where a good woman comes in. Speaking as a sensitive, New Age guy who recognizes gender equality in its fullest, I am the first to say that it’s no longer woman’s work. It’s a woman’s pleasure which I have no right to deny.