28 THE HORSE. 



oiilj cleans the coat, and keeps it free from dirt and possible 

 parasites, but it also keeps the pores of the skin open, and 

 thus helps to maintain the general health of the horses in 

 good order. One grooming a day will meet all requirements, 

 and this may either be carried out in the evening, after the 

 horses come in from work, or in the morning, according to 

 which time is the most convenient. The details of grooming 

 are as follows : The currycomb should be applied to those parts 

 of the coat Avhere the hair is caked or matted with dried sweat 

 or dirt. After that, the body and legs should be well brushed 

 with a dandy-brush, care being taken to get right down to the 

 roots of the hairs with the brush ; a sujieriicial brushing is of 

 no use. Finally, the coat should be brushed down with a body- 

 brush, which will remove the scurf left after the dandy-brush 

 has been used. After every two or three strokes witli tlie 

 body-brush, it should be drawn over the currycomb which is 

 held in the other hand; this is done in order to clean the 

 brush. The scurf in the currycomb is removed by tapping 

 it against the floor. The mane and tail must be kept thor- 

 oughly clean, as these parts are chiefly exposed to the attacks 

 of lice and other parasites, if neglected. The mane requires 

 both combing and brushing every day, the dandy-brush being 

 a])i>lied to the roots of the mane-hairs. The tail should daily 

 be combed. Especial care must be taken to keep the " feathei*- 

 inof " on the lesfs of cart and Shire horses clean. If there is 

 a pond on the farmsteading, the horses should be made to 

 walk through it every day, after their return from work, as 

 this will help to clean the legs. Failing a convenient pond, the 

 legs may be cleaned, after work, by pouring water over them 

 with a bucket. In the winter, however, all washing and un- 

 necessary wetting of the legs must be avoided. During this 

 season, the legs should be cleansed by brushing them, after the 

 mud and dirt on them has dried. When horses come in from 

 work in a hot and perspiring state, a good rub down with wisps 

 of straw will do them good, and add to their comfort, though it 

 is not absolutely esse^ntial. In the spring, when the horses are 

 shedding their winter coat, the removal of the latter should in 



