Before and after riding, it is necessary to brush the dirt and debris out of your horse's coat and pick out her feet. Picking out the feet removes any stones and debris packed in there that might cause discomfort or damage during the ride. Brushing the dirt off the horse's back removes any foreign debris that might contribute to rubbing and skin irritation under the saddle pad. Some people clean only where the saddle goes, but it is important to clean the dirt out of the rest of the horse's coat as well because the dirt will irritate the skin when the horse gets hot and sweaty from exercise. If your horse gets only a quickie brush job before your ride, you should follow up with a thorough cleaning afterward, to make sure she is free of irritating dirt and sweat before you put her up.

Always cool out a horse after a ride by walking the last fifteen minutes. Don't let him eat or drink until his breathing returns to normal. If his chest feels hot and sweaty to the touch, walk him or let him stand until he cools down. If the air is chilly, cover him with a cooler.

In hot weather, hose off the sweat. Occasional bathing with an equine shampoo is okay, but not after every ride. Too frequent shampooing can strip the coat of essential oils and dry it out. After hosing, use a sweat scraper to remove the excess water from the coat, followed by a good toweling off.

If the temperature is too cool for hosing off your horse, at least wipe your horse down with towels in the sweaty areas, and wipe off any mud or wetness from snow, puddles, or wet roads. Use a clean towel to wipe the face and ears. These places will be especially itchy from sweat, and if you don't rub them off, the horse will rub against fence posts or any other available object that serves as a good scratching place. Take a few extra minutes to give the horse's back a gentle rubdown — your horse will definitely appreciate it. When the sweaty areas are dry, brush the coat out thoroughly.