GROOMING. 13 



trouble, to the great injury of the animal. The same 

 predominating laziness which prompts them to use 

 water for the removal of mud, &c, in preference to 

 employing a dry wisp or brush for the purpose, forbids 

 their exerting themselves to employ the proper means 

 of drying the parts cleaned by wet. They will have 

 recourse to any expedient to dry the skin rather than 

 the legitimate one of friction. Over the body they will 

 place cloths to soak up the wet ; on the legs they will 

 roll their favourite bandages. It is best, therefore, to 

 forbid the use of water above the hoof for the pur- 

 pose of cleaning — except with the mane and tail, which 

 should be properly washed with soap and water occa- 

 sionally. 



When some severe work has been done, so as to 

 occasion perspiration, the ears should not be more 

 neglected than the rest of the body; and when they 

 are dried by hand-rubbing and pulling, the horse will 

 feel refreshed. 



As already recommended, cleaning out of doors should 

 be forbidden. If one could rely on the discretion of 

 servants, cleaning might be done outside occasionally in 

 fine weather; but licence on this score being once given, 

 the probability is that your horse will be found shivering 

 in the open air on some inclement day. 



The groom always uses a picker in the process of 

 washing and cleaning the feet, to dislodge all extrane- 

 ous matter, stones, &c, that may have been picked up 

 in the clefts of the frog and thereabouts ; he also washes 

 the foot with a long-haired brush. In dry weather, 

 after heavy work, it is good to stop the fore feet with 

 what is called "stopping" (cow-dung), which is not 

 difficult to procure. Wet clay is sometimes used in 



