You can pick up basic grooming kits at a place like Tractor Supply, they'll usually have a dandy brush, shedding blade, hoof pick, mane/tail comb and a few other odds and ends. Perhaps a basic grooming book or video would be in order too; grooming is a good time to bond with your horse.
Horses shed twice a year, once in the spring to get rid of their woolie winter coat (lots of shedding this time), and once in the fall to shed the short summer coat while they grow in their winter long coat (this shed won't be very noticeable).