i8 THE HORSE 



be trained, and his training to be thorough must be that 

 under a careful master. Organisation in the stable is 

 just as important as it is elsewhere. An unmethodical 

 groom is not a desirable asset in any establishment ; in 

 fact, the place is better without him. The grooming 

 appliances comprise the body and the dandy brushes, 

 a wisp of straw or hay, the curry comb, the mane and the 

 tail combs, stable rubbers, trimming scissors, the singeing 

 lamp, and the foot picker, along with a stout arm, strong 

 hands, and plenty of energy. These appliances and their 

 accessories require to be kept clean and in proper order. 

 In the stable of the sluggard they will often be found 

 thrown in odd corners, filled with dirt, and wholly unfit 

 for use — a most unwholesome picture, and one that no 

 self-respecting horse keeper should for a moment tolerate. 

 The body and the dandy brush must be kept clean with 

 the curry comb, which is the use of the last named. 

 Directly a horse comes off work, no matter whether it is 

 summer or winter, wet or fine, sleet or snow, the feet 

 should be washed, and this without wetting the hollows 

 of the heels. 



There is an art in even doing a simple affair like this, 

 and it is quite an easy matter to make a bungling mess of 

 the job. First of all get the pail and the water brush, 

 pick up the near fore foot and support it \vith the left 

 hand, with the brush in the right. Hold the foot so that 

 the toe points downwards, and proceed to use the brush 

 on the sole and round the wall. Treat the hind foot the 

 same, and repeat on the off side. Horses soon become 

 used to having their feet washed immediately they come 

 in from work and readily accept the suggestion when the 

 groom comes with his brush and pail. 



The feet washed, if the animal is sweating freely it 

 should be allowed to cool by walking it about for a short 

 time. The majority of grooms put it straight away into 

 its stall and then give the body a vigorous shampooing 

 with a wisp — a most excellent practice. The latter also 



