A brushing device for brushing livestock has an oblong brush (2) that can be set in motion by a motor (6). A carrying means for carrying the brush comprises at least one flexible element (10a, 10b). In the absence of a force acting externally upon the brush (2), the brush (2) has a substantially vertical orientation. The at least one flexible element (10a, 10b) of the carrying means permits a swivelling of the brush (2), through a force acting externally upon it, to a substantially horizontal orientation of the brush (2). The at least one flexible element (10a, 10b) is oblong and tubular.