28 MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 



are slapped down briskly on the coat, one after the other, with the 

 weight of the body behind them while they are moved over the skin 

 with firm pressure. 



After very hard work, the horse's leg's should he hand-rubbed briskly 

 with the fingers and palms, up and down, and then bandaged loosely. 



The Sheath: Sheath should be kept clean by washing when neces- 

 sary with warm water and castile soap. 



The Feet: At "Stables" each man should carefully inspect his horse's 

 feet for any evidence of picked-up nails, thrush, or other disease. Any 

 horse in need of shoeing or of attention for other cause must be reported 

 to the Stable Sergeant, who will see that the necessary action is taken. 

 The Stable Sergeant will also inspect carefully all animals shod since 

 last "Stables." 



As a preventative against thrush, the feet should l)e washed out 

 with a 3% solution of creolin or creosol, and careful attention must 

 be paid to the standings. 



Pulling Manes and Tails: Manes and tails should be kept pulled 

 thin and even. This is done by grasping a few hairs at a time and 

 sliding the hand up close to the roots, then giving a quick jerk so as 

 to pull them out by the roots. Always work on the longest hairs and 

 on the under side of the mane or tail. 



Tails should be shortened to about four inches below the hocks. 

 The dock and upper part of the tail should, be kept free from coarse 

 hairs. 



Trimming Manes and Fetlocks: Fetlocks should be neatly 

 trimmed, and that part of the mane upon which the crown piece rests 

 should be closely clipped. 



Clipping manes is optional with Regimental Commanders. It is, 

 however, strongly recommended, especially for field service. When 

 manes are clipped it should be done close, all the way up. 



Clipping: The clipping of heavy coats is strongly recommended 

 for many reasons. It should be done in the fall before the winter sets 

 in and as often thereafter as necessary. During cold weather it should 

 be done over the neck and bod}^ only, leaving the hair on the legs. 

 The principal reasons for clipping are as follows : 



Except under field conditions in the coldest climates, animals can 

 be kept sufficiently warm when clipped, hence the long coat is unneces- 

 sary. Long hair prevents thorough cleaning, causes loss of condition 

 and may cause respiratory diseases. Long hair on field service is a 

 menace to the whole command, as it harbors lice, mange and other 

 skin diseases, and makes them most difficult to combat. Special care 

 must be taken to blanket clipped animals during sudden changes of 

 weather and when it is extremely cold or damp. 



Power clippers are the best, but hand clippers will serve. Clipper 

 heads and blades must be used with care as they are easily dulled 

 and broken. They can be resharpencd and should be as often as may 

 be necessary. While using power clippers a small pan of oil should 



