284 HORSE AND MAN. 



Clipping is quite a modern invention, and was in- 

 troduced into this country from the Continent about 

 1825, our officers having become acquainted with it 

 during the Peninsular War. 



It has been said by some writers on the subject, 

 that although they are entirely opposed to clipping, 

 and would never allow a horse to be clipped if they 

 had been in charge of it from the first, yet, if a horse 

 be once clipped, it is impossible to discontinue the 

 practice, as the coat will become rough and staring. 



I confess that I cannot agree with this axiom, 

 nor understand the theory on which it is based. The 

 coat of the horse is changed in accordance with 

 the season of the year, and no matter what may 

 be the ill-treatment of the coat of one year, it cannot 

 affect that of the next year. 



Some thirty years ago, when common sense began 

 to prevail over conventionality, and men began to 

 ask themselves whether their Creator made their 

 beards for the purpose of having them cut off daily, 

 a similar reason was urged against the abandonment 

 of the razor. It was all very well for youths who 

 never had shaved, as their moustaches and beards 

 would possess a most becoming gloss and silkiness. 

 But, when once the razor had cut off the original 

 hairs, the after growth would be coarse and stubbly. 



This was a very plausible argument, and, until 



