22 THE HORSE 



Washing 



Horses which are properly groomed seldom require 

 washing, but circumstances may render this operation 

 necessary, and it can be done at any season of the year. 

 It is a good plan to wash a horse after it has been clipped, 

 a single washing for this purpose being sufficient. In 

 cases of mange it is absolutely necessary to give the skin 

 a thorough cleansing through the use of soap and water. 

 If an oily dressing has been used this should be washed 

 off at intervals of three or four days. In the summer an 

 occasional bath is beneficial to the skin, and the animal 

 feels reinvigorated through its use. 



Clothing and Bandages 



All light horses, especially during the winter, require 

 the use of a rug, preferably a woollen one, and the ov/ner 

 should see that the clothing is taken proper care of and 

 not thrown in any odd comer of the stable, as so often 

 happens amongst the neghgent. There should be a 

 clothing box in every well-regulated stable where the rugs, 

 bandages, etc., can be kept. For summer a hght woollen 

 rug is required, and in the winter a heavier one. In a 

 well-appointed stable all the horses wear clothing, and it 

 greatly improves the appearance of the stud. One or more 

 sets of flannel bandages are requisite and, like the clothing, 

 must be taken proper care of. 



Watering 



It is impossible to overestimate the value of a good 

 supply of water for horses, as this fluid is practically food 

 for the horse. Whenever there is a shortage of water for 

 horses it will soon render itself apparent in the loss of 

 condition. When horses are grazing, especially in the 

 spring and early summer, they can do with less water than 

 when the herbage is dry, or the animals are fed in the 



