166 on-the: stable. 



Next to proper feeding, good cleaning is 

 of the utmost importance. The method of per- 

 forming this part of the duties of the stable is so 

 famiUar to every one, that it will not be neces- 

 sary to describe it. 



It should, however, be remembered, that as 

 the horse sheds his coat in the spring and au- 

 tumn, it is not proper to use a curry-comb at 

 those periods, for fear of forcing off" the hair too 

 rapidly, and exposing him to catch cold. 

 Hand-rubbing the legs is a very beneficial prac- 

 tice. Horses, a^ter hard riding, are apt to break 

 out again into a sweat in the stable, after they 

 have been thoroughly cleaned and dried. This 

 happens principally in hot stables, for the ves- 

 sels of the skin having been greatly distended 

 and relaxed in the act of throwing out the per- 

 spirable matter, do not again readily recover 

 their tone and contractile power, on this account 

 the heat of the stable is alone sufficient to bring 

 on a fresh perspiration. Horses, therefore, after 



hard 



