40 HORSE-MASTERSHIP 



grooming — that is, get the horse thoroughly 

 clean in every part of him and then don't 

 worry him any more. The object of groom- 

 ing is to get the skin clean, so that it may 

 perform its functions unimpeded by any dead 

 skin or dirt which would otherwise stop the 

 pores ; and when you have got your object 

 attained, I think it is a mistake to go on, with 

 the idea of massaging the horse's muscles. 

 Exercise in the open air is the best massage ; 

 and about the so-called '^ American system " 

 of looking after horses, I should like to say 

 one word. It consists of open top doors ; no 

 rugs in summer, and in some cases none in 

 winter ; plenty of cut grass, and in fine 

 weather plenty of time spent picking grass 

 on the roadside. A sand-bath when the 

 horse returns from work, quick effective 

 grooming, and no worrying of the horse 

 afterwards, and a walk out for half an hour 

 in the afternoon to air the stables and vary 

 the monotony of the day — that is the 

 " American system " in as few words as I 

 can put it. It was first introduced into this 



