30 COAT TAKEN OFF FOR WORK, 



advantai^eous to the horse to have liis great coat taken oif for 

 work, and pnt on when his work is done. But as he does not 

 do it for himself there must be no neglect on tlie part of his 

 attendant. A horse so treated is most liable to suffer by being 

 kept waiting for *' my lady " half an hour after bis cloth has 

 been taken off, and before he has had an opportunity to warm 

 himself by exercise, as even when the attempt is made he 

 cannot be well covered over with the harness on. In such a 

 case the coachman should be instructed to drive about until 

 wanted, or at least to give his horses one brisk troL before they 

 are called on to stand, even though it should splash the carriage 

 a little. 



Do what you will, horses that have been clipped in winter 

 will never carry such good spring coats as those that have not 

 been clipped. The horse for slow work that frequently has to 

 stand about in all weathers without much attention to his 

 clothing, had better be allowed to keep on his natural coat, but 

 the winter coat of any horse may be much shortened by clothing 

 him early in autumn, and feeding and cleaning him very carefully 

 though liberally. 



55,— In any moderate weather, perhaps in any weather not 

 Avet, the horse for slow work does better turned out after being 

 well fed, with a covering of felt inside and canvas outside (20), 

 fastened so that he cannot rub, roll, or get it blown off. He 

 never takes cold when thus allowed to move his limbs and shift 

 his position. He breathes the purest air, and will keep in better 

 health than he will do tied up in a stable. He will take no harm 

 even in wet weather, but when raining or snowing he had better 

 be under a shed if one is available, but not tied up in a cold 

 draft. "Warm clothing is in every way better than warm 

 housing, as it is always compatible with free motion and pure 

 air. Picking some rough green food, though it should be only a 

 furze bush, to mix with his dry hay and corn, will save his 

 wind and promote his health. 



CLEANING. 



56. — Long before the average Englishman, or the average 

 physician, had discovered how much advantage was to be gained 



