218 THE HORSE. 
less it is used the better, and the thoroughly good groom will chiefly 
employ it for his brush. There are several patterns in use, but the chief 
point to be attended to is the depth of the teeth, which should not be cut 
more than the eighth of an inch deep, and should only be on alternate 
rows of the comb itself. There is a great difference in the modes of hand- 
ling this comb adopted by good and bad grooms. The former sweep it 
lightly over the skin, just effecting their object without absolutely scratch- 
ing the surface, while the latter bear heavily upon it, and punish the horse 
to such an extent as often to cause even a naturally good-tempered animal 
to use his teeth or heels most savagely. So also a light thin-coated horse 
even when very dirty and full of scurf, as it will inevitably be after lying 
by in a loose-box or at grass, does not require the comb to be pressed 
hard upon the skin, yet the stupid and ignorant groom makes no dif- 
ference in his favour, but works away just as he would if dressing the 
woolly winter coat of a cart-horse. During the time when a horse is 
shedding his coat the currycomb should be banished from the stable, for 
neither it nor the brush should be employed at that time. 
THE MANE COMB is merely a strong horn, iron, or compressed india- 
rubber comb, with teeth of a suitable degree of coarseness. 
Bopy BRUSHES are made of hog’s bristles, of an oval shape, about nine 
inches long by four and a half wide, with a strap of webbing across the 
back to hold them firmly to the hand. They are wanted at all times but 
daring moulting, when their use makes the next coat come on coarser 
than it otherwise would. This arises from the fact that the brush brings 
off the old coat too soon, thereby chilling the skin and stimulating the 
vlands which secrete the hair, to develop it more stoutly and of greater 
length than they would otherwise do. To produce a beautiful new coat 
the old one should be kept on as long as possible, just as we find in the 
sheep which is not shorn, but allowed to shed its wool, the next growth 
will be much shorter and lighter. 
THE PICKER is merely a blunt hook for clearing away the gravel which 
sets between the shoe and the foot of the horse while at work. It is 
better made to fold up like the pocket button-hook for our own use. 
WaTER BRUSHES are either made of split whalebone or of a kind of 
reed, which is cheaper but does not last so long. They are intended to 
wash off the dirt from the legs and feet, and out of the soles of the latter. 
THE USE OF THE PITCHFORK AND SHOVEL is too well known to need 
description here. : 
STABLE BROOMS are either made of birch or of split whalebone, the 
choice being dependent upon price, which varies according to the locality. 
Either will answer the purpose well, and where birch can bo readily 
obtained, its price is so low as to beat whalebone out of the market, good 
besoms of this make being in many parts of England to be bought at 3d. 
or 4d. apiece without the handle, which will last out an indefinite 
number. In London, however, whalebone will compete with them in 
economy, birch brooms being sold there at 1s. apiece, while whalebone, 
which will last out three or four of them, may be obtained for 3s. 
SponcE is an expensive article in the stable, for as it is constantly in 
use it soon decays. To employ it to the best advantage a double supply 
should always be on hand, one of each of the sizes wanted being in use for 
a week, and then put by to dry for a similar period. In this way a soft, 
flabby, and nearly worn-out sponge recovers its texture in a marvellous 
manner, and sponge carefully treated on the plan I have described will 
last fully three times as long as if it is constantly kept wet from first to 
