Feeding and Care of the Horse 



1817 



to dry, the blanket becomes damp, and the hair of the horse remains 

 moist all night. In case the blanket is not used until the animal has 

 ceased to steam and is somewhat cool — which will be in a quarter of 

 an hour — the hair will be dry and smooth on the following morning. 

 Some caretakers of horses use two stable blankets. One is placed 

 on the animal immediately after he arrives in the stable; this is removed 

 in a quarter of an hour, being replaced by another that is to remain on 

 the animal during the night. This is perhaps advisable in very cold 



Fig. 119. — A pure-bred Hackney coach horse 



climates, since the animal may cool off too quickly if not given some 

 protection on arriving at the stable. 



The stable blankets may be dispensed witli in hot summer months 

 if flies are excluded by screens or some other means. If blankets are 

 used at this time they should be of light material and should be kept 

 clean. As soon as the nights begin to be cool the use of blankets should 

 be resumed; early use will markedly arrest the growth of hair and 

 occasionally will obviate the necessity of clipping. 



The use of the outdoor blanket is as important as that of the stable 

 blanket. If the horse is allowed to stand outdoors for either a short or a 



