MANUAL FOR STABLE SERGEANTS. 



exposed to drafts before being dried. Washing mud off the legs and 

 belly frequently results in such diseases as scratches, grease heel, 

 and mud fever. These conditions are not caused by the mud, but 

 are the result of improperly drying the legs after washing. When 

 mud can not be wisped off with hay or straw it should be allowed to 

 dry, then removed with a brush. If for any reason the legs must be 

 washed they should be dried and bandaged loosely with flannel 

 bandages. When the bandages are removed the legs should be hand 

 rubbed thoroughly. 



Soap should not be used on the legs, as this removes the natural 

 greasiness of the coat and irritates the skin. 



148. Clipping-. Clipping in the spring is especially advisable, 

 and in individual cases and under certain circumstances it may 

 become a necessity ; but no horse should be clipped without authority 

 from the organization commander. In winter a clipped horse should 

 be provided with a blanket at all times when not working. Under 

 no circumstances should a horse be blanketed while at work. 



Horses taken from cold regions to the Tropics still develop their 

 winter coats. Under such conditions clipping is a necessity. 



Should it become necessary to keep horses clipped, they should 

 be clipped at least three times a year; the first time in October or 

 November, again in January, and a third time in March or April or 

 just before the spring shedding of the coat. Better still, the clippers 

 should be run over the coat every time it appears at all long. 



In clipping the legs, care should be taken not to cut the short hairs 

 .at the back of the pasterns or in the hollows of the heels. These 

 hairs when clipped irritate the skin and may cause scratches. 



149. Blanketing. Horses stand changes of temperature and 

 inclement weather remarkably well. Blankets therefore are not 

 absolutely essential to the animal's health. 



In garrison and camp, except in extremely cold climates, the use 

 of blankets should be limited to animals that have been clipped, and 

 to those that have become chilled, wet, or heated. They should be 

 T^orn in the stable or camp only, and should never be permitted 

 while horses are at exercise or work. 



All blankets should be shaken daily and aired. 



150. Care of che feet. The healthy foot requires only to be 

 kept clean. In cold climates the feet need be cleaned but once 

 a day; but in hot, damp climates, where there is a great amount of 

 decomposing matter in the soil, they should be well cleaned out both 

 morning and evening. The evening cleaning should be done after 

 the horses are tied in for the night. 



