STABLE MANAGEMENT. 69 



probably depend on the time, labour, and number of machines 

 available. If there is no limit to these, the machine should be run 

 over the coat every time it shows at all long, and frequent clipping 

 certainly keeps animals smart in appearance, as well as giving the other 

 advantages already enumerated. Where, however, labour and machines 

 are limited, it will be found most advantageous to clip at the beginning ot 

 winter, say November, and again about the New Year. The idea that the 

 summer coat is entirely spoilt by clipping after the New Year is not in 

 accordance with fact and, provided it is otherwise convenient, the process 

 may be carried on till the winter coat shows signs of coming out, when hand- 

 rubbing should be relied upon to remove its remnants. This period will 

 vary with the severity of the season and the individual animal. Some 

 animals are, in fact, clipped all the year round and carry quite good coats. 



The benefit which animals voyaging from a cold to a hot climate at a Clipping 

 time when their coats are thick derive from clipping en route is evident, on a 

 It is true that the long coat falls off naturally under these circumstances, voyage, 

 for the hair rapidly adapts itself to changes of climate, but its removal by 

 the machine at once relieves the animal of an unnecessary blanket and 

 should be carried out when possible. 



Clothing. 



The use of clothing during the winter months for working horses Use and 

 which have been clipped is practically universal outside the Army, and abuse of 

 where horses are called on to work up to their rations, it is considered clothing, 

 to be beneficial to the animal's condition, and economical to the owner. 

 A sharp line of distinction must, however, be drawn between the legitimate 

 use of clothing as a compensation for the loss of a thick warm coat, and 

 its abuse, so commonly observed in England, where, in order to preserve a 

 sleek appearance, several rugs are placed on the animal and the stable is 

 closed against all ventilation in order to keep the atmosphere warm. 

 This procedure, although attaining its object, namely, fat and sleekness, 

 does so at the risk of impairing the constitution, rendering the animal 

 more liable to sickness, and lessening its chance of recovery when 

 attacked by any serious disorder. 



Horses stand changes of temperature and inclement weather Argu- 

 extremely well ; they may be clipped and kept in the open in winter, ments 

 without becoming ill ; and if they receive sufficient food they will even foi" and 

 maintain their condition. Clothing therefore cannot be considered an ^|g^"f ^ 

 absolute necessity to the animal's health, and is not to be thought of clothing, 

 on service. As to the advisability of clothing troop horses in stables, 



