ORDER AND METHOD OF GROOMING. 427 



the year permits, and prevent any draught from blowing on 

 the horse by only opening the doors and windows at one 

 end of the stable. 



Back the horse out of the stall, exchange the head-collar for 

 a cleaning bridle and attach the horse by a pair of pillar-reins. 



Remove the blanket, shake it out of doors and hang it, 

 turned inside out, in the sunshine. 



First clean one side of the horse and then the other, 

 commencing at the head, then do the neck, fore quarters, 

 body and hind quarters, A mere polishing of the surface is 

 not wanted, but a hard, deep rubbing of the coat with the 

 body brush. Stand at arm's length from the horse, carry 

 the right or brush hand above the head and throw the weight 

 of the body into each stroke. 



" There is no necessity, however, for half the punishment which many a 

 groom inflicts upon the horse in the act of dressing ; and particularly on one 

 whose skin is thin and sensitive." William Youatt, " The Horse" p. 128. 



Begin with the body brush and currycomb, but do not 

 touch the horse with the currycomb ; use the latter for clean- 

 ing the body brush from time to time. Rub well into the 

 roots of the hair with the body brush against and with the 

 hair. Do not use a dandy brush ; it ruins the horse's coat, 

 and should only be employed to remove mud from the 

 horse's legs and belly and as a mane brush. 



" Perhaps the cardinal principle in grooming is this : the currycomb 

 should not be employed on the horse, but on the brush. Now the ordi- 

 nary horse owner will declare that this statement is applicable only to stables 

 of rich men, where grooms are abundant ; and such, I confess, was long my 

 opinion. But when finally I tried the experiment with my own hands I 

 quickly discovered the mistake. The truth is, that a horse can be cleaned 

 not only much better, but much quicker without the currycomb used upon 



