74 THE HORSE 



way, and there should always be two on hand for each 

 horse, the old patched blanket for rainy weather, and 

 the new blanket for good weather. 



Another means of saving the wear and tear of a 

 blanket is to fasten it somewhat loosely across the 

 breast of the horse, for if it is buckled in the last 

 hole, according to the practice of most grooms, it 

 will be strained across the breast of the horse and will 

 be more likely to tear than if it is buckled somewhat 

 loosely. 



It might be mentioned here that, as the reader 

 doubtless knows, there is no special reason for pro- 

 tecting the breast of a horse. That part is defended by 

 large muscles, and his lungs are not there but im- 

 mediately back of his forelegs. 



For a clipped horse there should be provided for 

 stable use three blankets, a thin woolen sheet and a 

 heavy woolen blanket for ordinary use, and another 

 heavy blanket to be added in extremely cold weather. 

 For an undipped horse, a linen sheet and a thick blanket 

 for ordinary use, and an additional heavy blanket for 

 use in excessively cold weather. 



In summer, a linen or cotton blanket, as a protection 

 from flies and to keep his coat clean is necessary; and a 

 light woolen blanket is a luxury which the horse should 

 have, if possible, for use when his winter blanket would 

 be too heavy. 



There is one time In the year when a horse, even a 

 colt, may require a blanket in the stable, although he 

 is unblanketed all the rest of the year, that is in the 

 late spring when cold and rainy weather follows close 



