Grooming is essential to a horse's health as well as his looks. The brushing of a horse's coat opens his oil and sweat glands thus promoting a glossy coat. Horses should be groomed at least once a day and always before and after a ride. The grooming process is as follows:

Step 1
Tie your horse securely to a tie rail or hitching post.

Step 2
Use a currycomb to loosen caked mud and dirt from his coat. Currycombs may be made of metal or rubber. Never use a metal currycomb on a horse's legs, face, or bony places. The rubber currycombs may be used on these places.

Step 3
The body brush is used to bring up loosed dirt and dust from the skin. Starting at your horse's ears, brush his entire body using with-the-hair strokes. Be sure to clean between his legs, under his belly, and behind his pasterns.

Step 4
Use the dandy brush to flick off any remaining particles of dust and hair. Again beginning at the back of your horse's ears, clean around his eyes, over the cheeks, and down his nose. Continuing to use the with-the-hair strokes, briskly brush the whole body.

Step 5
After brushing your horse's coat, you may use a clean towel or cloth to finish removing dirt and dust. This puts a final sheen on his coat.

Step 6
A damp cloth or sponge is used to clean your horse's eyes, nostrils, and under his tail.

Step 7
Comb out your horse's mane and tail with a mane and tail comb. A stiff hairbrush or dog's grooming brush may also be used. When combing out the tail, stand to one side and pull the tail towards you rather than standing directly behind your horse's hindquarters.

Step 8
Using the hoof pick, clean your horse's hooves.