GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF HORSES 19 



applies when the animal has been out in the rain, but a 

 straw wisp will be found superior to hay for drying the 

 coat under these circumstances. Before using the wisp 

 excess of water should be removed with the body scraper 

 exactly in the same manner in which this appliance is 

 employed after a horse has been washed. The heat of the 

 body and that of the surrounding temperature soon helps 

 to dry the coat, but this process can be assisted by 

 putting on a rug with a packing of straw between this and 

 the body. Under ordinary circumstances when the coat 

 is wet a rug should not be put on until such time as the 

 animal is dry. Many horses begin to sweat after they get 

 into the stable, usually in the form of patches, but this 

 patchy sweating can generally be avoided by vigorous 

 shampooing with a dry wisp of straw. Some grooms 

 partially wash their horses in the summer immediately 

 they come in from work, but it is better to avoid this 

 whenever possible, as a sudden cooling of the skin, 

 especially on the shoulders and saddle, is decidedly 

 pernicious. All parts where the skin is thin, such as 

 around the nostrils, on the face, beneath the tail, etc., 

 should be sponged lightly and thoroughly dried after- 

 wards, otherwise it is far better to avoid this portion of 

 the animal's toilet. As soon as the body is dry, dust and 

 mud should be removed from the limbs with the dandy 

 brush, followed by a vigorous application of the body 

 brush on every square inch of the body, more especially 

 below the belly and inside the thighs. If a horse comes 

 in all covered with mud the latter can either be washed 

 off immediately or allowed to dry on. It is a matter of 

 opinion which is the better method, but all things con- 

 sidered, the latter-named should have preference. The 

 mane, the fetlock, and the tail are just as important as 

 other portions of the body, though unfortunately these 

 are too often neglected. The season of the year, the 

 condition of the animal, and the length of the coat are all 

 factors to be reckoned with, and constitute part of the 



