ABC OF THE HORSE 73 



the animal has been sufficiently 

 irritated to cause it to absolutely 

 refuse to stand still, the brush is 

 brought into use. If only the vigour 

 with which it is applied could bear 

 favourable comparison with that shown 

 by the average groom in the way 

 of hissing, for fear a speck of dust 

 should find its way down his own 

 throat, it would be all right, but un- 

 fortunately such is not the case. He 

 hisses vigorously, brushes in a per- 

 functory way, the animal loses con- 

 dition, and the master wonders why. 

 Hard brushes are not necessary — a 

 soft brush applied with pressure being 



