How to Remove Burrs From Horses

When your horse comes up to you with burrs stuck to different parts of its body it can be really disheartening. Not only are burrs often difficult to remove but doing so can break the horses mane and tail hairs. Burrs also can irritate a horses eyes ears and nose. It might be tempting to cut out really awful mats of burrs but with patience and proper grooming technique this usually isnt necessary.
Detangling Burrs From Hair
If there are only a few burrs and theyve been in a short time you can probably pull them out with your fingers. But really thick mats of burrs might need a more aggressive approach.

 dowsing the area with a detangler or babymineral oil. This is an especially useful grooming tip for addressing the mane and tail areas. Let the oil or detangler sit for a bit to soften the burrs before you start pulling.
Start from the bottom of the mat and gradually pull apart the hairs while dislodging the burrs. Very gently brush the hairs as you go being careful not to break them. Dont be tempted to use a metal comb or rake as these tend to break the hair. Grooming sprays can help especially ones containing ingredients that make the hair slippery.
The burrs and grooming products can be irritating to your hands so keep a good pair of gloves for this job. A closefitting pair of rubberized gardening gloves can offer enough dexterity while protecting your hands.