Stall- reeding. 155 



Grooming. 



It is a good plan where goats are kept constantly in 

 the stable with little or no exercise to brush them down 

 every morning with a stiff dandy brush, and, if the hair 

 be very long, now and then to comb it out. Some persons 

 may call this absurd, but when they consider that grooming 

 is to an animal what a bath is to a human being, they 

 must admit that the practice cannot be otherwise than 

 beneficial. The advantages gained are indeed more than 

 might be supposed. In the first place, every domestic 

 animal is liable to the attacks of vermin, whether fleas or 

 lice, goats being by no means exempt ; on the contrary, 

 and especially when in a poor condition, they are 

 often very much troubled with the latter pest. By the 

 use of a hard brush, well applied every day, the dirt 

 which collects on the surface of the skin, and which seems 

 to suit such vermin, is removed, and, having no longei 

 a resting-place, they disappear at least to a great extent 

 the object of grooming being more as a preventive 

 than a cure. When existing in large numbers other means 

 must be used to exterminate parasites. In the second 

 place, the friction on the skin of the goat by the brush 

 causes a quickened circulation of the blood, thus to some 

 degree taking the place of exercise and so promoting 

 health. Finally, the use of the brush gives the coat a 

 sleek and glossy appearance, and by reason of its extra 

 cleanliness allows of the animal being stroked and 

 caressed marks of kindness to which it is very sensible 

 without soiling one's hands- 



Taring the Hoofs, 



When goats are kept constantly in stables it is neces- 

 sary to examine and pare the hoofs every now and then, 

 otherwise they are apt to grow to abnormal proportions. 



