Short answer: A curry comb loosens dirt, mud and old hair, a dandy brush and a body brush lift it off, a mane and tail comb detangles, and a hoof pick clears the feet. Those are the five basic grooming tools in Extension HorseQuest's lesson "How to Groom a Horse". A metal curry comb is the coarse version: Kerbl lists its Metal Curry Comb as a galvanised metal comb with three coarsely serrated rows and a plastic handle, and describes it as especially suitable for cattle.
This page sets out what each basic grooming tool is for, quoted from Extension HorseQuest, and lists the grooming tools we carry with the specifications their makers publish. Before you start, the same lesson says: "You may tie your horse or you can have another handler hold the horse."
What each basic grooming tool is for
Extension HorseQuest (Jennifer Whittle, 2019) lists these as the basic tools:
- Curry comb: "A curry comb used to remove dirt, mud, old hair and debris from your horse."
- Dandy brush: "A dandy brush is used to remove dirt and hair that was loosened by the curry comb."
- Body brush: "Body brushes are used to remove dust and finer particles." The lesson adds: "A body brush can also be used on the horse’s face."
- Mane and tail comb: "A mane and tail comb is used to detangle the horse’s mane and tail."
- Hoof pick: "Hoof picks are used to remove dirt, rocks and debris from the horse’s hooves."
What is a metal curry comb used for?
A curry comb is the tool that loosens dirt, mud and old hair so a brush can lift it away. Kerbl's product page for its Metal Curry Comb lists a galvanised metal comb with three coarsely serrated rows, a plastic handle, a working surface of 10 cm long by 14.5 cm wide and two knocking-off pieces, and Kerbl describes it as especially suitable for cattle.
- Metal curry comb: Kerbl Metal Curry Comb
Brushes we list
Kerbl lists the MagicBrush Brush Set CornFlowers as three MagicBrush brushes with its Quadro bristles, for coat, leg and hoof care, with a back that can be used as a sweat scraper, and says the brushes can be washed in a washing machine. Kerbl's catalogue lists the MagicBrush Mane and Tail Brush as a natural wood brush with elasticated bristles with rounded ends for combing long hair, at 22 cm long, 10 cm wide and 4 cm high.
- Body and leg brushes: MagicBrush set cornflowers 3/pk
- Mane and tail brush: MagicBrush mane & tail brush wooden
Mane and tail picks we list
Our listing for the Shapley's grooming kit names eight-ounce bottles of Hi Shine Shampoo, Easy-Out No Rinse Shampoo, Magic Sheen and Original M-T-G, plus a Mane-Tail Pick. Read each bottle's label for its directions and cautions before you use it.
- Tail pick: Shapley's super tail pick
- Kit: Shapley's grooming kit
Hoof picks we list
Kerbl lists the MagicBrush Hoof Pick WaterLily with a metal scraper and a cleaning brush with 3 cm bristles, made of plastic containing up to 60% recycled polypropylene with up to 55% rice and straw fibres added. If you find anything in a foot that concerns you, ask your farrier or veterinarian.
- Hoof pick with brush: MagicBrush hoof pick WaterLily
- Hoof pick: Cattle Boss hoof pick with vinyl dipped handle assorted colours
Shampoos, sprays and hoof care
For horse shampoos, detanglers and coat sprays, see our horse Shampoo and Grooming category. For hoof dressings and other hoof-care products, see horse Hoof Care.
Related guide
For tack rather than the horse, see our guide How to Clean and Oil a Saddle: Saddle Soap and Neatsfoot Oil Steps.
Sources: Jennifer Whittle, "How to Groom a Horse", eXtension HorseQuest, horses.extension.org, July 31, 2019, viewed October 2026. Albert Kerbl GmbH product pages for the Metal Curry Comb, the MagicBrush Hoof Pick WaterLily and the MagicBrush Brush Set CornFlowers (kerbl.com), and the MagicBrush catalogue (katalog.kerbl.com), viewed October 2026. Kit contents are as named on our product listing.