850 



GROOMS. 



Witb regard to the legs and feet of the animal, these parts are so 

 much exposed that to them the same danger does not attend the presence 

 of damp as is commonly dreaded in the human subject. The water 

 with which the body has been drenched will naturally flow down the 

 legs, and remove from them no inconsiderable quantity of soil. All, 

 however, having been performed as directed, the groom takes up each 

 hoof and cleans it thoroughly out with a picker and a hard brush. Then 

 he goes upon his knees ; with several straw wisps, he removes so much 

 dirt and moisture as will yield to friction. This done, he brushes over 

 the outer wall of the horn with glycerin, and rolls bandages round the 

 legs. 



DRYING THE HEELS. 



In the above illustration, the size of the horse cloth cannot otherwise 

 than have appeared strange to the reader. But things as large, if not 

 of a greater magnitude, should be in every stable — not for general use, 

 but for special occasions. The ordinary rug merely covers the spine, 

 not doing so much toward keeping warm the carcass of a horse as 

 would be effected by a Guernsey jacket upon the body of a man. Yet, 

 who would think of employing the last article as a sole envelope for a 

 cold and fatigued traveler ? This, however, is all modern custom sanc- 

 tions for the comfort of a tired and exhausted steed I The folly of so 

 inadequate a provision is apparent, and the necessity of the innovation 

 suggested by the last engraving must be obvious to all who will con- 

 descend to think seriously on the subject. 



While the legs are being attended to, the supper may also be before 

 the horse. The meal, however, should not be of the full quanti*.y or of 



