GROOMING. 365 



invariably made up by the dealer, by feeding and idleness, 

 so as to please the eye. To take a horse to the hunting- 

 field under such circumstances, is running a great hazard. 

 Let him be carefully and regularly worked for some days 

 before hunting him, and there is little danger of bad conse- 

 quences following, if gradually cooled and well groomed at 

 the end of his work. We would recommend the proprietors 

 of horses to attend themselves to this salutary and necessary 

 operation, as grooms but too frequently neglect it, or, in 

 many instances, injudiciously perform it. 



The above remarks are applicable to the horses of the 

 gentleman and tradesman, IbUt those of the agriculturist 

 need but little attention, as they are generally worked with 

 moderation and regularity, and hence are not predisposed to 

 those diseases where a different mode of treatment exists. 



GROOMING. 



Horses kept constantly in a stable should be subjected to 

 constant grooming. It is of the utmost consequence to 

 their health and appearance. The free use of the curry- 

 comb and brush should never be neglected, as the scurf 

 which accumulates at the roots of the hair, and stops the 

 pores of the skin, will otherwise prove injurious to the 

 health of horses, by retarding free perspiration. Horses 

 which are turned out in a field do not require grooming, 

 as Nature provides a means of removing the scurf. Be- 

 sides, without grooming the coat of a horse will never 

 have that sleek appearance which so much heightens the 

 beauty of this fine animal Lazy and careless grooms 

 prefer giving the coat that smooth texture, by keeping 

 the stable above that temperature which is safe for the 

 health of the horse. The use of the currycomb and brush 

 gives an increased action to the surface of the skin, and 



