178 ELEMENTS OF HIPPOLOGY. 



The dust and sweat and precipitated salts of perspiration com- 

 bine to form a cake at the hair-roots that clogs the pores. Dry- 

 ing, it has an unpleasant astringent feeling that annoys the an- 

 imal. This crust of filth and dirt catches and fosters disease 

 germs and parasites that feed upon the animal and that are 

 never found on well-groomed horses. 



Besides cleaning the coat, grooming stimulates the 

 circulation and acts as a tonic to the horse. It rests a tired 

 animal, relieves congestion following a hearty meal by diverting 

 part of the excessive blood-supply from the digestive region. 

 Twenty minutes' brisk grooming in the morning and twenty-five 

 in the evening is the right amount to keep the animal's coat 

 clean and skin healthy. More time than that will be appre- 

 ciated in the satiny coat of the horse. A horse can hardly be 

 groomed too much. The average horse likes to be fussed with 

 and handled. He enjoys having his legs rubbed and his coat 

 brushed. The currycomb is not so much enjoyed. It should be 

 used merely to loosen caked mud or manure on the exterior of 

 the coat, and, except with the greatest care, never below the 

 knees or hocks. Use only the fingers and brush on the mane 

 and tail. Throw cards and mane-combs out of the stable. 



In grooming with the horse-brush, the groom should stand 

 well away from the horse, legs well apart, and, with the brush 

 in the hand next the horse's head (and the currycomb in the 

 other), brush the coat with the lay of the hairs, throwing as 

 much of the weight of the body into the brush as possible. 

 After three or four strokes with the brush, clean it on the comb. 

 Clean the comb every few minutes by tapping it on the ground 

 in rear of the horse. 



The sheath should be frequently washed with Castile 

 soap and water, and never oiled. Oil simply collects and 

 holds dust and makes washing more often necessary. The 

 glands of the skin secrete all the oil needed to keep it in condition. 



