IN SEARCH OF A HORSE. 191 



always be led out into the yard : a horse can never 

 be properly cleaned in his stall; the dust settles 

 upon him again, and dirties the stable, the harness, 

 and everything else. Independently of this, it tends 

 to make a horse vicious in his stall. Few horses 

 that are possessed of much spirit, like a proper 

 dressing ; they generally plunge a little while under- 

 going the operation, and in the confined space of the 

 stall they may seriously injure themselves, even if 

 the groom is dexterous enough to escape. It also 

 makes them restless and suspicious of approach in 

 the stable, and it is undoubtedly the first cause of 

 crib-biting. If a horse appears to sufi'er very consid- 

 erably under the curry-comb, it should be examined, 

 to see if the teeth are not too sharp, and of course, 

 if found to be so, they should be filed down or an old 

 comb substituted. Some horses are more tender in 

 their skin than others ; this is soon perceived, if they 

 will not submit even to an old worn-out comb ; in 

 this case the patent brush, with uneven bristles, 

 should only be used. Nothing contributes so much 

 to the comfort and health of a horse as regular and 

 thorough grooming. I believe that they are very 

 liable to be infested with a species of lice; but 



