SIGNS OF BAD GROOMING. 423 



under the jaw, the inner sides of the legs, the hollow above 

 the hocks and up the centre of the back. If a white line of 

 dust or dandruff marks the direction the hand has taken, or 

 the roots of the hair are filled with dirt, it may be concluded 

 that the grooming has been omitted or carelessly performed. 

 Bad grooming is again shown when the sunshine falls on the 

 horse's rough coat from the rear: the dust and dirt are then 

 unavoidably detected. The continuous dropping of loose 

 hair on the lap-robes and clothes of the occupants of a 

 carriage at other times than in the spring and fall, when the 

 horse is shedding, is another evidence that sufficient " elbow 

 grease" is not being used. When such "accidents" are 

 blamed on the blankets or a dusty stable, "James" should 

 be told that he alone is at fault, and if he cannot keep the 

 horses clean there are other men who can. Bad groom- 

 ing should be immediately and decidedly remarked upon, as 

 should any indication that the superficial glossiness is due 

 to the action of stimulants or the use of oils. The stable- 

 men should be absolutely forbidden the administering of 

 any medicines, tonics or other stimulants without receiving 

 special permission upon each occasion that they are re- 

 quired. A groom detected violating this order should be 

 summarily dismissed. 



" It would be well for the proprietor of the horse if he were to insist 

 and see that his orders are really obeyed that the fine coat in which he and 

 his groom so much delight is produced by honest rubbing, and not by a 

 heated stable and thick clothing, and most of all, not by stimulating or 

 injurious spices." William Youatt, " The Horse" p. 128. 



" If a horse is clean, no scurf nor grease of any kind should ever adhere* 

 to the hand when rubbed over the skin. If your groom assures you to the 

 contrary, and says that you must expect a little, he lies, and knows it, too." 

 Major Fisher, " Through Stable and Saddle Room" 



