Curries loosen the dead hair, mud, dirt, and dander. You use them by brushing in a circular motion, looping across the body.

For the face and sensitive areas: Grooma's Soft Touch Curry, or a similar one. This curry has soft, flexible, rubber "fingers" and can be used on the face, legs, belly, and sensitive back.

For the body: The rubber and plastic curries. The rubber curry is made of rubber, like the name suggests. It can be used on the whole body and the upper legs of the horse (unless he's particularly sensitive) and when bathing.
The plastic curry has stiff plastic "fingers" and can be used just as the rubber curry, though it is prefered to use the rubber curry for grooming and the plastic curry for bathing.

NOT for the horse: the metal curry. This "curry" is used to get the dirt out of you're "dandy" or bristle brushes, and it should never be used on your horse! If you don't have one, a totemax handle, stall door, or door frame, work nicely for getting the dirt out too.

BRISTLE BRUSHES:

Bristle brushes are used to literally flick the dirt, dust, dander, and dead hair you loosened with the curry, off the horse. You use it with short, straight strokes -ending with a "flick." Using two (of the same type) at once expedites the process.

Stiff - for removing dirt and mud, not for sensitive areas.
Medium Stiff - inbetween stiff and medium
Medium or "dandy" - for removing dirt, dust, dander, and loose hair from the body and legs.
Soft - the finishing touch. It can be used on the entire horse to make the hair lay straight and to get that last bit of dust off.
Face - a much smaller version of the soft brush.
Water - a stiff or medium dandy with crimped bristles that hold water better. For use in bathing.

MITTS and CLOTHS:

Cactus Cloth - a woven material that is a magnet for dirt! Firmly stroke the horse with it to take excess dirt off the coat.
Towel - any will do, from your bathroom or monogramed from the tack shop. Wipe your horse with it in the direction the hair falls. A dry or damp towel will take off the dust the brushes left (or the wind blew back on), wipes horse's mouths, and cleans dusty boots and equipment. A wet or damp towel is also good for removing sweat marks before classes. Towels are the most multi-purpose piece of equipment you can own -though some will argue for bailing twine! Use one to dry the horse (at least part way!) or to wipe your own hands.
Cotton Mitts - for wiping the horse after grooming for that show ring shine, or for applying things like fly repellant.
Dual-purpose Mitts - essentially a curry on one side, a dandy on the other.
Rubber Grooming Mitts - a curry in the shape of a mitten! (A rubber mitt with "pebbles" on both sides) Great for clipped horses and can be used on the entire horse.

COMBS:

Mane and Tail - a plain metal or plastic comb with wide teeth
Tail - sometimes resembles a human brush
Pulling Comb - a small metal comb that's sharp inside. For thinning/shortening manes and tails.

HOOFPICKS:

Hoofpicks are hoofpicks, but they vary depending on what features you prefer. They are essential in every grooming kit. It is important to clean the hooves before and after every ride and daily to prevent thrush and to remove any rocks.

Hoofpick - metal or with a vinal covered handle, inexpensive, light, and works well enough.
Hoofpick with brush - my favorite - a plastic, sometimes shaped, handle; synthetic brush on one side, metal pick on the other. They're easier on the hands and the brush is great for sweeping away the loose stuff, and for cleaning the outside of the hoof.
Folding hoofpick - metal, and often brass finished. Unfolded they're essentially a ring with a hook -which folds into the ring part. I bought one but managed to loose it before I got a chance to use it. They fit in your pocket, making them great for trail rides (and easy to loose!).

SPONGES:

Tack - small, usually round, for cleaning tack.
Small Sponges - needed to clean nostrils, eyes, sheath or udder, and under the tail. Color coding them is helpful.
Large Sponges - needed for sponging a sweaty/hot horse and for bathing. A car sponge works nicely, even cut in half.
Natural Sponges - that's it, they're natural and come in many sizes.

BUCKETS:

Water Buckets - typically 20 quarts for stalls, tubs are used in turnouts.
Feed Buckets - 8-20 quart buckets, fence feeders, or corner feeders
Bathing Bucket - minimum of 2 gallons, use the same bucket, or one of same size, for sponging or linament.

Be sure to scrub those buckets clean! Feed buckets tend to get grain debris stuck to them and some feed, such as rice bran, can go bad quickly -make sure no feed is left in the bucket to keep it sanitary and to avoid rodents. Also, after you shampoo or linament, rinse the bucket and sponges out thoroughly so you won't have to when you want clean water to sponge the horse with. Buckets also make good step stools and carry alls.

OTHER:

Shedding blade - a metal loop that can be straightened out for use with two hands, with leather or synthetic handles at each end. One side is smooth, making a suitable sweat scraper, and the other is toothed. The shedding blade is used for aiding in the shedding process and removes a lot of hair (when shedding). Open it, hold it in two hands, and stroke the horse firmly, going over the same area as much as necessary. Do NOT use on the face, legs, or stomach.

Sweat Scraper - This useful tool comes in 3 types, and is used like a squeegie to remove excess water after sponging, hosing, or bathing. It is also used to wipe (scrape) sweat off a horse who has been worked into a lather or is dripping with sweat (hence the name).

Plastic - a shaped piece of plastic, curved slightly in on the sides, and shaped to be a slight arc
Metal - same as the plastic, but metal
"One-handed" or Shaped - Made of plastic with a rubber "squeegie." This consists of a handle attached to a curved piece of plastic -which the rubber is bolted to. (Editor's pick!)

Quarter Markers - A stencil for your horse! There are different patterns to choose from, some for the top of the hindquarters, some for the side, and some for the back. Lay the "stencil" down and brush the hair against the lay to create a pretty cool effect!

Clippers - Body clippers are used to shave the horse's body and are usually larger and sturdier than face clippers. Face clippers are ment to trim the horse's wiskers and bridle path.

Braid Binders - small elastics that match your horse's mane and tail color. To use instead of yarn for braiding, or used for banding a mane.

Yarn - to hold the braids in. See: Braiding To Win for directions.

Scissors - they have a multitude of uses. You may want several pairs since cutting bailing twine needs stronger scissors than cutting paper or guaze!

Alcohol or Linament - After a very hard work out, or for a horse that's stiff - these will help relax the muscles. Linament needs to be diluted with water or alcohol.

Hoof Oil - for dry hooves. Use the applicator brush to paint it onto the hooves- outside and inside unless otherwise stated. It also shines up the hoof before entering the show ring with out drying like some polishes.

Sandpaper, Hoof Polish/laquer, and Hoof Polish Remover - Step one: Sand the dirt off your horse's dry hoof (dry as in not wet), be careful not to sand too much, or you'll take off some of the hoof's outer layer! Step 2: paint on the hoof polish. Step 3: Show!!! (Step 3a. give your horse a pat and a treat!) Step 4: Use the hoof polish remover to remove the hoof polish. This is important as some polishes will dry the hoof. It may be advisable to put mosturizer/oil on the hoof after removal.