GROOMING. 75 



Of washing the legs. Flannel bandages. 



The ordinary practice is to wash the legs, and wrap them in flannel 

 bandages. The groom then cleans the body ; and by the time he has 

 done this the legs have probably dried. He should then brush them out, 

 exactly as if they had not been washed for the water has not cleaned the 

 skin, but has only removed the external mud and dirt. If this is pro- 

 perly done, there is not much objection to washing the legs. But the 

 practice is open to much abuse, and often results in cracked heels, grease, 

 and mud fever. 



120. Of leaving horses to dry by evaporation. 



We cannot close this chapter without warning owners of horses against 

 the common practice of idle servants leaving the horses after exercise in 

 the morning to dry by evaporation, whilst they get their breakfasts and 

 indulge in a pipe afterwards. If horses are exercised in the morning, 

 and the breakfast hour interferes with proper timely attention to them, 

 they should at least be warmly clothed, and have their legs bandaged, 

 before the servant leaves, and the time allowed for breakfast should be 

 reduced to a minimum. Similarly at other times, after the owner has 

 had his horse out, the servant is apt to leave him to dry by evaporation, 

 whilst he cleans the saddle, bit, or harness. 



121. Minor memoranda. 



The nostrils should be carefully sponged out twice a day. The wings 

 of the nostrils should be gently distended by the fingers, and a well- 

 wetted sponge passed into the opening. This will remove the dust from 

 the delicate lining membrane. The dock should be cleaned both morning 

 and evening. The sheath likewise requires to be cleaned occasionally by 

 passing the hand up it, and clearing away any sebaceous matter which 

 may be adherent to it. Many a horse, which has been supposed to be 

 suffering from disease of the kidneys, is merely irritated by a dirty 

 penis, or by a collection of sebaceous matter encrusted on the point of the 

 urethra, which interferes with the free passage of the urine. 



White and grey legged horses in dirty weather require to have their 

 legs washed with soap and water in order to make the hair look clean. 

 We have already stated that water has no real effect in cleansing the 

 skin. Especial care should be taken that the legs are dried immediately 

 after the washing. Such horses frequently suffer from cracked heels, 

 grease, and rheumatism from neglect of this precaution. 



122. Grooming by machinery. 



In some large establishments machinery somewhat similar to that 

 used in hair-dressers' shops for brushing the hair, has lately been set up 

 for grooming horses. It appears to answer extremely well, and certainly 

 saves an immense amount of time and trouble. 



