26 " MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 



It stimulates the skin generally, produces a ^'igorous circulation and 

 glosses the coat. It should not be omitted from grooming unless pre- 

 vented by shortage of straw or the necessity for great haste. 



In wisping wet horses the wisp should be worked forward and 

 backward well into the coat, so that full advantage may be taken of 

 the friction. After drying in this manner, the coat should be laid flat. 



Washing and Disinfecting of Grooming Tools: Whenever neces- 

 sary to wash and disinfect currycombs or brushes, either to clean 

 them or as a precaution against the spread of disease proceed as fol- 

 lows : First clean thoroughly by dipping them in a strong soda 

 solution, followed by dipping in a strong salt solution to stiffen the 

 bristles. Then immerse in a 1% solution of creosol for 15 minutes, 

 shake out and stand with bristles down to dry. Grooming cloths can 

 be treated similarly. 



Normal Method of Grooming: (For average thick-coated horse.) 



(a) Clean out the foot with the hoof hook being careful not to use 

 too much pressure. 



(b) Take the currycomb in the right hand, fingers over the back 

 of the comb, and the brush in the left hand ; first use currycomb on 

 near side of the horse, beginning on the neck, then breast, withers, 

 shoulder, foreleg down to the knee, then back, side, belly, loin, flank, 

 croup and hind leg down to hock. 



Change currycomb to left hand and brush to the right, and proceed 

 in a similar manner on the off side of horse. 



Strike currycomb against heel frequently to free it from dirt. 



The currycomb should never be used on the legs from the knees 

 and hock downward, nor about the head. When occasionally required 

 to loosen mud or matted hair on the fleshy parts of the body, it must 

 be applied gently. 



(c) Take brush in left hand and currycomb in right ; brush entire 

 near side of horse in same order as when currycomb was used, except 

 that in brushing legs, brush down to the hoof. 



Change brush to right hand, currycomb to left, and proceed in 

 similar manner on the ofif side. 



After every few strokes, clean dust and hair from brush with the 

 currycomb. 



In using the brush, the man should stand well away from the horse, 

 keep his arm stiff and throw the weight of the body against the brush. 

 Absolutely nothing is gained by standing close to the horse and pawing 

 him gently with the brush. 



In grooming the belly apply the brush the way of the hair, the 

 brush in the left hand on the near side, and in the right hand on the 

 off side. The skin under the flanks and between the fore and hind 

 quarters must be soft and clean. 



Next brush head, mane, and tail. 



In cleaning mane and tail, begin brushing at the ends of the hair 

 and gradually work up to the roots, separating the locks with the 



