MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 25 



The Currycomb: The currycomb is not beneficial to skin or to 

 the coat except in removing mud and dirt. This can generally be 

 done with the horse brush, if properly used. On the other hand the 

 currycomb often scratches the skin and irritates the horse, and not 

 infrequently makes horses "conscientious objectors" to be groomed. 



The Horse Brush: The horse brush is the principal tool in groom- 

 ing. When properly used it reaches the skin, the bristles or fibers 

 penetrating through the hair of the coat. It removes scurf, dirt and 

 dust, stimulates the skin and hair growth and to a certain extent 

 massages. Too much stress cannot be laid upon its use. 



The Dandy Brush: The dandy brush is not an article of regular 

 issue, but its use is strongly recommended whenever it can be pro- 

 cured. When used it takes the place of the currycomb and cleans 

 the horse far more quickly than the horse brush alone. When used 

 it should be followed by the horse brush. 



The Hoof Hook: The hoof hook is used to clean out the feet. It 

 is frequently found attached to the back of the horse brush, but if not, 

 can be easily made by the horseshoer. Three-eighths inch iron wire or 

 a horseshoe drawn out to that dimension will make excellent ones. The 

 wire should be about eight inches long to start with. The end is 

 sharpened slightly and given a round point, then bent at right angles 

 about 1V4 inches from the point. The other end can be turned into 

 a small ring for a handle. The point should not be sharp as there is 

 danger of injuring the feet by going too deep into the commissures 

 and cleft of the frog. It is a very necessary tool and no trooper should 

 be without one. 



The Grooming Cloth: The grooming cloth is used to remove dirt 

 and dust from the coat, to wipe ofif the head and clean the dock, and 

 to polish the coat. It is also used to dry horses with. It is usually 

 made from old toweling or condemned blankets which serve the 

 purpose satisfactorily. It should be from a foot and a half to two 

 feet square, or even larger. 



The Wisp: A wisp is a pad of straw or hay made by twisting the 

 material into a rope and doubling it into convenient sized pads as 

 follows : Take a rope of twisted straw or hay eight to ten feet long. 

 Make two loops at one end (fig. 1) one loop being slightly longer 

 than the other. The remainder of the rope is now twisted alternately 

 around each loop until the end is reached when it is passed through the 

 extremity of each loop and tucked under one of the twists (fig. 2). 

 A really good wisp should be no wider than can be conveniently 

 grasped by the hand, about one foot long and two or three inches 

 thick. Care must be taken not to waste material in making wisps. 

 It is used in regular grooming and in drying out wet horses. In 

 regular grooming it should be dampened slightly to make the straw 

 less brittle. With wet horses this is unnecessary as sufficient mois- 

 ture is absorbed from the horse. 



Wisping is really a form of massage and is a most valuable means 

 of improving the condition of the skin and coat and for making muscle. 



