426 



ORDER AND METHOD OF GROOMING. 



morning or after ordinary work, when his coat is short, in half an hour. 

 Fifteen or possibly twenty minutes more may be required after work, if the 

 horse returns hot or very muddy. If the horse has a very thick or long 

 coat twenty minutes more may be added to the above periods. Not only 

 ought the groom to be able to do it within these periods, but the master 

 ought to insist that he does it thoroughly in that time." Sir F. Fitzwy- 

 gram, " Horses and Stables" p. 76. 



ORDER AND METHOD OF GROOMING. 



The use of a pair of pillar-reins should be insisted upon. 

 When a horse is being groomed, especially under the loins, 



he is very apt to bite or kick, and 

 if the groom suffers from his own 

 carelessness he invariably vents his 

 rage upon the horse, usually by 

 striking him about the head. The 

 pillar-reins should be made of 

 leather, with buckles at both ends ; 

 they should be attached to either 

 side of the stall or to posts, and 

 be just long enough to allow the 

 horse to turn his head four or six 

 inches to either side. Should the 

 horse be a determined biter the 

 groom should be made to take the 

 extra precaution of putting a dress- 

 ing muzzle (see Fig. 210) on the 

 animal, notwithstanding his declar- 

 ing that the horse knows him, etc. 

 Never leave a horse untied 

 either in or out of his stall. 



Have as much fresh air in the stable as the season of 



FIG. 210. 



