362 Care of the Colt in Training 



are true in a way, it must be admitted that it is not 

 possible to make a clipped coat show the luster of 

 an unchpped one. Some horsemen practice clip- 

 ping rather early in the fall, perhaps about the 

 middle of October, stating that they wish the hair 

 to attain some length before cold weather; while 

 others delay the work until November, preferring the 

 later clipping, as the hair has its growth and will not 

 grow out again, whereas if clipped early, it will grow 

 out again and sometimes necessitate a second clip- 

 ping in two or three weeks. 



There are many excellent horsemen who would dis- 

 pense with clipping altogether and keep the coat 

 in condition by blanketing and proper grooming. 

 By the proper use of stable and outdoor blankets 

 it is possible to keep the coat rather short, and by 

 judicious grooming to keep it from becoming too 

 thick, thus avoiding the necessity of clipping. Coats 

 thus cared for can be made to carry a luster that 

 it is impossible to obtain when chpping is prac- 

 ticed. When this is the practice, warm boiled feed 

 given one or two evenings each week materially adds 

 to the luster. Horses thus fed will shed very early 

 in the spring. When blankets are used, we should 

 provide two for summer as well as winter use. One 

 should be employed as a sweat-blanket to be used 

 immediately after the horse returns from work and 

 while he cools out, then to be removed and in a few 

 minutes to be replaced by the second, to remain on 



