70 CHAPTER 6. 



107. Use of the Brush in grooming. 



In order that grooming should produce the two above-mentioned prin- 

 cipal effects, it is necessary that the skin be cleaned with a good bristle 

 brush, strongly applied and well laid on. 



For these purposes rubbing the skin with a wisp or rubber, though it 

 may answer some of the subsidiary uses of grooming, is not sufficient. A 

 wisp, especially a damp wisp, such as is often used, will not clean the 

 skin. It might be supposed rather to plaster in the scurf and dirt. 

 Such rubbing, however, does produce a certain beneficial effect, inasmuch 

 as it is generally laid on with a good deal of force ; and the friction has 

 undoubtedly a considerable influence in cleaning the skin. 



Against these arguments in favour of the brush it may be urged, that 

 in racing stables the wisp and rubber, though the use of the brush is not 

 altogether neglected, are largely employed. It would be absurd to say 

 that trainers do not understand their business. We think, however, that 

 a distinction may fairly be drawn between thoroughbreds in training and 

 other horses. The skins of the former are finer, their coats are shorter, 

 and they are invariably dried and cleaned immediately after exercise, 

 before the sweat has had time to cake in the pores of the skin or in the 

 coat. Still we must add that we have seen many horses brought to the 

 post from second-rate training stables, whose coats have looked as if they 

 would have been none the worse for a more constant application of tho 

 brush. 



After the skin has been thoroughly cleaned with the brush, a wisp or 

 rubber may be used with the view of giving it a last polish. It is not, 

 however, at all essential. 



107a. Shampooing. 



In India the native groom often cleans his horse by hand-rubbing or 

 shampooing. The practice is good and has an excellent effect on the 

 skin. It would be difficult, probably impossible, to get English grooms 

 to adopt a practice so novel. But in many stables, where a number of 

 young lads are employed, it might be possible to train them, and the 

 Author believes that the practice would be found most beneficial. The 

 action of the hand never irritates th-e skin, which the brush frequently 

 does, especially the tender skin of young thoroughbreds. 



108. Method of grooming. 



The thorough cleaning of the skin of the horse is an operation requir- 

 ing both skill and hard labour. To make his labour effective, and to pro- 

 duce the greatest effect with the least expenditure of power and in the 

 shortest time, the groom should aid his muscular strength with his 

 weight. He should therefore stand well away from the horse, and lean 

 his weight on the brush, which thus used will penetrate the coat more 

 effectually, and with less exertion to the man, than if worked only by his 

 muscular strength. 



