SWEATING. 223 



are slackened, and he is covered over with more clothing 

 for about 10 minutes, or until the sweat begins to trickle 

 freely down his legs, and drop from his fetlocks ; but if 

 the trainer perceives by his laboured breathing that the 

 horse is much distressed, he should lose no time in 

 relieving the horse of the clothing, the hoods being first 

 removed and the neck well scraped, wisped down, and 

 dried. Particular care being taken to dry the space 

 between the jaws. 



The saddle and blanket across the chest are taken off, 

 and after that the body clothing. Each part on being 

 uncovered is scraped and dried in succession. The horse 

 should now get about a gallon of water to drink, and a suit 

 of dry clothing, rather light than heavy and suitable to 

 the weather, being put on, he should be walked about for 

 a few minutes, so that the trainer may see whether he will 

 " break out " again or not. If this occurs, he should be 

 stripped, dried, saddled, and ridden quietly about, in the 

 direction of his stable, till he has cooled down. But if 

 the animal shews no signs of breaking out, he should be 

 led home to his stable without further delay. 



During the colder months November, December, 

 and January the distance may be increased. 



With the clothing I have described, a five or six-mile 

 trot, or alternate trots and canters, will be sufficient for 

 ordinary horses possessed of no remarkable gameness or 

 stoutness. 



Light carcassed horses will not require sweating at all, 

 as a four-mile gallop at half speed without clothing, or 

 with only a hood, or one light suit, once a fortnight, 

 will be all that is generally required. 



