428 ORDER AND METHOD OF GROOMING. 



him than with it ; the reason being that the currycomb applied to the skin 

 irritates it, and therefore produces more dandruff than it removes." — H. 

 C. Merwin, " Road, Track and Stable,'' p. 304. 



Next take a straw wisp, which should be dampened and 

 flattened by pounding it with the heel. With the wisp the 

 horse should be gone over in the same manner as when usins^ 

 the body brush. The wisp should be used with and not 

 against the hair. A wisp is made by twisting straws into a 

 rope of about two feet and a half in length and forming it 

 into a knot. 



After the use of the wisp go lightly and quickly over the 

 horse with a crash rubber or a chamois. The object of this 

 part of the dressing is merely to remove any bits of straw 

 and to lay the coat. 



Now put on the day blanket, placing it farther forward 

 than it is to remain, and having fastened the buckle, stand 

 squarely behind the horse and draw the blanket into place. 

 The roller should be put on and the blanket carefully 

 smoothed under the body before tightening up the roller. 



With a wet sponge wash out the mouth, nostrils, eyes 

 and under the loins and tail and dry these parts with a 

 rubber. The feet should then be cleaned and washed out 

 with a w^ater-brush, care being taken not to wet the hair 

 about the hoofs, especially about the heels. While this part 

 of the work is being done, attention should be given to the 

 shoes and any insecurity noted. 



" We may ascertain if a shoe is loose, however slightly, by, after taking 

 up the foot, gently tapping the ground surface of the shoe with the fingers. 

 The nature of the sound thus made will serve to confirm or dissipate our 

 suspicions. As long as the nails have a firm hold, so long will the heels of 

 the hoof be protected from undue wear ; but when the shoes become loose. 



