CARE OF HORSES AFTER WORK. 511 



over eighty degrees, and rubbing causes the horse to con- 

 tinue sweating. Some grooms sponge a heated horse over 

 and " hang him out to dry," a practice that should not be 

 tolerated. 



In winter and when the weather is cool the horse should 

 be rubbed dry with rubbing cloths instead of being walked. 

 The rubbing should commence at the extremities, i. e., feet 

 and ears, and the body be protected by a blanket. As soon 

 as the horse is cool the grooming should be performed as 

 has already been prescribed, and when completed the blan- 

 kets put on, and the horse returned to his stall. Frequently 

 in warm weather the horse breaks out, after being groomed 

 and blanketed, the result of too hasty care. Should this 

 occur it is necessary to put the " cooler " on and walk the 

 horse again. Breaking out may often be prevented by not 

 putting the surcingle on immediately after blanketing. 



In extremely cold weather, when a horse returns chilled 

 and tired, the legs should be briskly rubbed and woollen 

 bandages put on immediately, the circulation stimulated by 

 a pulling, rubbing motion of the ears, and, if the prostration 

 is extreme, a warm drink given of oatmeal water or a pint 

 of ale. Under such conditions it is of the greatest impor- 

 tance that the horse should have plenty of warm clothing and 

 bedding, and that he should be protected from all draughts. 



The slight forms of injuries to which horses are subject 

 as the result of badly fitting harness or carelessness are here 

 considered rather than under Veterinary Notes, as they de- 

 mand attention as soon as the horse has returned from work. 



Sore withers or shoulders may be due to accident or the 

 skin being very sensitive, in which case washing the parts 

 with a strong solution of salt water will do much to harden 



