Clipping Horses 23 



has been removed. Then with a slightly curved stick, 

 commonly called a scraper, the dirt and sweat can be 

 thoroughly removed. The skin should then be rubbed 

 dry with rubbing cloths and the hair brushed down 

 straight. 



THE CLIPPING OF HORSES 



When horses are kept in comfortable stables dur- 

 ing the winter, and are well protected against cold 

 by stable blankets while in the barn and by street 

 blankets while standing out, there is no serious ob- 

 jection to clipping them. It improves the appear- 

 ance of the horse and his coat is more easily kept 

 clean. Horses with long, thick coats should be clipped, 

 as they usually sweat easily and their coats hold the 

 moisture, so that if the animal is allowed to stand it 

 is liable to take cold. If horses are clipped twice a 

 year, the operation should be performed the first time 

 soon after the hair has grown out in the fall. This 

 allows them to become accustomed to the change be- 

 fore cold weather sets in, and it also allows for some 

 growth of hair before winter. They should be clipped 

 the second time in early spring, as soon as the weather 

 begins to get warm and before the winter coats begin 

 to be shed. 



When horses cannot be protected from the cold, 

 either in the stable or outside, they should not be 

 clipped in the fall; but the long hair on the legs, 

 as far as the knee and hock, may be removed. This 

 is particularly important in horses that are required 

 to work in mud, as the legs are much more readily 



