BLANKETS, RUGS AND SHEETS. 



295 



consequence of bulging. In addition to what has been said 

 above regarding the quality of the material, the clothing 

 should be bound with strong braid or cloth and all stitching 

 be even and strong. Some distinctive color or a combination 

 of colors in plaid is usually chosen as a " stable color." 



BLANKETS, RUGS AND SHEETS. 



For winter use a day blanket should be of extra heavy 

 English kersey. (See Figs. 163 and 164.) Such a blanket for 

 a horse of average size should weigh 

 about five and a half pounds. For 

 night use it is more economical to 

 use a rug in place of a blanket. 

 One made of woollen goods and 

 weighing about seven pounds will 

 be sufficient covering except in very 

 cold weather, when a lighter blanket 

 may be placed under it, or one of 

 duck fastened over the rug. The 

 duck material, although affording 

 additional warmth and protection 

 from soiling to the under covering, 

 is of too closely woven texture to 

 admit of a good circulation to the 

 body when used without the more 

 open material of the under cover- 

 ing. 



For summer the use of a light 

 serge blanket for the daytime is 

 cooler than a linen sheet and offers 

 a better protection in the event of FIG. 166. 



