A BC OF THE HORSE 75 



" The function of the skin is very im- 

 portant, and just in proportion as that 

 function is maintained in activity, so 

 will the health be improved. To clean 

 the skin thoroughly, a brush is, perhaps, 

 the best appliance ; though in Eastern 

 countries, where the horses have very 

 thin, sensitive skins and fine coats, as 

 well as with some horses in our own 

 country, a brush may cause considerable 

 irritation. ... It must, however, be re- 

 garded as essential to proper manage- 

 ment that under no pretext is a horse 

 to be left for the night until all his legs 

 have been thoroughly dried. Nor is 

 this precept very difficult of execution ; 



