CLIPPING. 



473 



ones to the hoof. The protection which the hair affords to 

 the lower parts of the legs can only be safely dispensed 

 with when careful attention is given to drying them thor- 

 oughly after work. Cracked heels are the common result 

 of neglect under these conditions. Although there are men 



FIG. 224. 



who make a specialty of clipping horses, any competent stable 

 servant should be able to perform this task in a satisfactory 

 manner. Many men clip a horse in such a way that the 

 animal's coat is uneven and scarred with lines. If properly 

 done there should be neither ridges nor streaks ; the coat 

 should present a perfectly smooth, velvety appearance. Re- 



