946 THE HORS. 
the water is scraped off with the scraper, and the skin is just partiall 
dried. In this state he may be left for a few minutes ; attention, in the 
meantime, being paid to the thorough drying of the head and neck, which 
cannot well be clothed advantageously. These parts soon dry; for in 
washing them, there is no occasion to wet the mane, which may be turned 
over to the other side while each is being cleaned, and the ordinary coat of 
the head and neck holds very little water. After they are made comfortable, 
the cloth is turned partly back over the loins, and the shoulders, ribs, and 
bosom are dried with the whisp and rubber; after which the whole is 
stripped off, and the hind-quarters thoroughly dried. 
A HORSE SMOTHERED IN DIRT is by careless grooms too often left to dry 
with it allon; and then it is brushed out, or, if idleness reigns triumphant, 
a besom is taken in hand for the purpose. Where the particles of mud 
are few and far between, and are already dry, or nearly so, there is no 
objection to their being removed by friction alone ; but if they are wet 
and (as they generally are) in large masses, water must be used to get rid 
of them; and the whole of the legs, belly, flank, and tail will often require 
a good slushing with a brush and water before the dirt is removed,—the 
tail being placed in the bucket itself, if it is a long one, and thoroughly 
cleansed in that way. A scraper is then employed to get rid of the water, 
the legs are superficially rubbed and then bandaged, the clothing is 
thrown on, and the dressing may be commenced as usual. 
IN CASE THE SKIN IS WET FROM RAIN, whether the work has been fast or 
not, it is seldom necessary to provide against a continuance of the moisture, 
for the chill of the rain will generally prevent any tendency to break out 
in a sweat. The horse is, therefore, at once taken into the stable, and, if 
very wet, he is scraped ; after which he is rubbed over, and his clothing 
put on while his legs are being attended to, by washing, bandaging, &c. 
The dressing is then conducted as in the case of the horse coming in 
sweating in cool weather. 
AN EXHAUSTED HORSE demands all the resources of the groom’s art, 
without which he will suffer in more ways than one. An extreme case 
seldom occurs, except in hunters, who require the greatest care to bring 
them round after a severe run. On coming into the stable, if their powers 
have been taxed to the utmost, and their ears are cold and drooping, the 
first thing to be done is to get these warm by friction; an assistant, in the 
meantime, preparing some gruel, while another puts some warm flanne] 
bandages on the legs. It is wonderful what a restorative is found in the 
friction of the ears, after a few minutes of which, a moderately tired horse 
will look quite a different animal, evidently enjoying the process, and 
dropping his head to the hands of the groom with the most perfect air o4 
enjoyment. Where, however, there is only one groom for the whole task, 
the bandages should be put on first—that is to say, as soon as the clothing 
is thrown on; then the gruel should be given, and as soon as this is 
swallowed, the ears should be warmed by friction. No attempt at dress- 
ing should be made till the gruel is taken and the ears are warm ; and if 
they cannot be restored to their proper temperature, a warm cordial of ale 
and spices should at once be given. Usually, however, there is no occa 
sion for this ; and, after getting the stomach attended to, the skin of the 
body begins to recover its natural temperature, and the extremities become 
warm again. In the course of an hour, the dressing may generally be 
effected ; but no time should be lost in it, and the skin must not on 
any account be chilled. After it is done, a feed of oats and a few split 
beans may be given, if the appetite seems inclined to return; but some- 
