32 ADAPTING BRUSH TO SKIN. 



58. — In training and hunting stables a great deal of time 

 and hard work are well spent in brushing the horses skin. In 

 a gentleman's stable Avhere moderately high condition and 

 appearance are demanded, a strong man should work at least an 

 hour a day on each horse, as soon as possible after the horses 

 come in from their work or exercise. A rather stiff hair brush 

 may generally be used, but there is a very great difference in 

 the sensitiveness of different horses, and the brush should be 

 carefully adapted to them. A tender skinned sensitive horse is 

 often made vicious for want of attention to this. Most horses 

 too have some part of the legs or body on which they are really 

 ticklish, and every part must be cleaned. 



Here, as in everything else, there must be no fighting with 

 your horse. Don't jump to the absurd conclusion that the horse 

 is neither sensitive nor ticklish, but only wants an excuse to hurt 

 someone. Many horses playfully threaten to kick or bite whilst 

 being cleaned, that never do either, and a good tempered groom 

 will soon find that out, and feel no alarm or concern about it. 

 But generally the threatening is the horse's only way to tell the 

 groom that he is ticklish, or that the brush is too hard for his 



tender skin. 



59. — If a softer brush makes no difference, and the horse 

 evidently means biting, get a bridle fitted with a very large 

 smooth wooden bit, too large for him to shut his mouth with it, 

 and put it on him before you begin to clean him. This will not 

 only make it impossible for him to bite you, but it will divert 

 his attention, and probably keep liira employed in attempts to 

 expel the awkward but harmless mouthful. If no such bit is at 

 hand, any short bit of stick the right size may be tied into his 

 mouth by the halter. If he evidently means kicking, clean all his 

 fore quarters first, and leave any part that he objects to for the 

 last. Then, if you have an assistant, get him to hold up one of 

 the horse's fore legs, whilst you gently and steadily rub the 

 ticklish part in such a way as to convince him that he will not be 

 hurt. Be quite sure that your brush is not too hard, and that 

 you are not really hurting him. If no assistant can be had, put 

 knee caps on the horse, and put plenty of litter under him ; untie 



