Top Tips by Top Groom Flick Roberts

After nine incredible years grooming for three day eventer, Laura Collett, Flick Roberts has decided to move on to pastures new.  We spoke to Flick after she announced her departure to see if she was happy to share some of her top tips with The Gaitpost and we are thrilled that she is.  

The good news is that you don’t have to be a serious Pro to reap the benefits!

While working for Laura, Flick looked after some very special horses, including Noble Bestman, Rayef and Allora and helped out during the worrying time following Laura’s horrific accident.  

Here are Flick’s pearls of wisdom that are guaranteed to smarten you up!

 1. When I wash my horses I use a brush instead of a sponge as it really gets the grime out of their coats! I love using the NAF tea tree oil shampoo, it really gets their coats shiny!

2. When I do my quarter markers I always spray a bit of NAF Silky Mane and Tail D Tangler on my brush to make their bottoms extra shiny!

3. To make my horses eyes and nose shiny I use baby oil, also just rub a bit down their knees and hocks.

4.  After clipping horses I like to use the NAF Skin Wash in warm water and give them a good rub over, it gets all the grease out and leaves them glistening.

5.  I always try to be organised with everything, for example, I love to label things! You or others then know where everything is.

6. I like to have spare of things in the lorry/yard then if something runs out you know you have more!

7.  When I pull my horses tails, I use the little LIKIT pliers….sounds harsh but really saves your fingers from being ripped to shreds!!

8.  For those dreaded white socks I like to use Wahl Diamond White shampoo, and I always put it on with my hands and use my finger nails to work it to the skin, it really gets them dazzling white!

How did you get into grooming?

I started grooming by working for Laura part-time at home on the yard and then gradually started going to events with her.  I never dreamed I would have had such an incredible nine years doing what I love.

What have been your career highs?

My highs are definitely grooming at Badminton and Burghley with Noble Bestman. It was also very special grooming at Aachen with Rayef where he came 3rd! A couple more highs were Bramham, first with Noble Bestman where he finished 2nd, and secondly with Allora….who went clear round her first very tough 3*, she was a difficult mare to ride so it was a real sense of achievement for Laura who had worked so hard to get her there!

Would you recommend becoming a Groom?

Grooming is a very rewarding and satisfactory job and I highly recommend it to anyone who has a love of horses just like me.

Huge thanks, Flick, and we wish you all the best for your new adventures. 

You can keep up to date with Flick’s news by following her @flickrobertsno2 and make sure you don’t miss out on future Guest Blogs by following The Gaitpost on Twitter at @TheGaitpost and liking our Facebook page