96 THE PRACTICAL HORSE KEEPER. 



better to wisp or scrape well, or both, and then clothe and 

 bandage, if the body is wet, leaving the thorough cleaning to 

 be carried out when circumstances are favourable. More 

 especially should this procedure be observed in winter, in order 

 to avoid what is known as " mud fever.'' If perfect drying 

 could be ensured immediately after washing, perhaps no harm 

 would result ; but as this cannot always be relied upon, wash- 

 ing had better be dispensed with. 



Sometimes horses break out into a cold perspii^ation after 

 they have been groomed, should they have undergone exertion 

 a short time before. As this is not only uncomfortable, but 

 renders the skin very cold, it is necessary to dry them repeatedly 

 until the dampness is removed. 



Cracked and greasy heels are usually caused by wet, either 

 from wet muddy roads, or from washing the legs and leaving 

 them wet, or imperfectly drying them. Unless they can be 

 thoroughly dried, it is well to leave them alone, or to remove as 

 much as possible of the superfluous moisture with a wisp of 

 straw, and, when convenient, bandaging them. When they 

 are dry they may be cleaned with a dandy-brush, or if the hair 

 be very long and thick, a leg or birch broom answers very well. 

 A predisposition to cracked heels is engendered by clipping the 

 legs and pasterns in winter ; this should never be done, if pos- 

 sible, but if it is necessary, then the skin should be protected 

 from the action of wet and dirt by rubbing into it, before the 

 horse leaves the stable, lard, vaseline, oi zinc ointment. A 

 very good protection against the action of icy cold water, or the 

 salt slush which is so common on tramway lines in winter, is- 

 a mixture of one part whitelead and three parts common oil, 

 rubbed around the pasterns and the coronets by means of a 

 brush. 



CLOTHING. 



For horses with fine skins, which require to be kept scrupu- 

 lously clean and glossy, as well as for those performing fast- 



