504 The Book of the Horse. 



But, except for travelling by railway or by sea, or in cases of sickness, it is very doubtful 

 whether for horses in ordinary use hoods and breast-cloths are of any real advantage. At 

 any rate, they are dispensed with in the stables of many first-class country horse-dealers, and 

 only put on when a horse is dressed out for show or prepared for travelling. 



It is very important to have enough clothing, of however plain and simple a character, 

 to keep horses required to be in galloping condition thoroughly warm in cold weather. 



For ordinary use, two suits — viz., a day suit and a night suit — will answer every purpose. 

 The day suit may consist of a common rug cut out to fit, and fastened over the chest with 

 a strap and buckle, and one or two additional blankets for colder weather, secured with a 

 surcingle or stable-girth, sometimes called a roller, which is generally made of coloured 

 webbing, with a stuffed pad, but wear better and are cleanest if all of leather, like those used by 

 Mr. Rice of Piccadilly. Surcingles should have a bit of elastic inserted in the leather girth or 

 a steel spring inserted in them so as to protect from the serious evil of tight girthing. Tom 

 Colman, of St. Albans, invented, years ago, an elastic roller, which is, I think, sold by Mr. 

 Blackwell. On most horses a breast-strap must be used to prevent the clothing from slipping 

 and avoid an excuse for the mischievous practice of tight girthing. Well-fitting sets of knee- 

 caps, of the best make, should be kept on hand in every stable, and always put on when 

 horses are sent out to exercise. Hoods are, perhaps, wise precautions when sending horses 

 long journeys by rail in cold weather. But several persons, who have been in the habit 

 of sending their horses down and bringing them back, after hunting with the Royal Buck- 

 hounds, without any clothing, declare that they have never known any ill effects to arise 

 from a practice I should hesitate to imitate or recommend. 



Whatever be the day suit, it is well to have a night suit, which may partly consist of 

 an old patched day suit, with or without an additional blanket, according to the season of 

 the year. Horse-clothing made of blankets, instead of the usual felted cloth, answers better for 

 the night clothing, because it is sure to get dirty with the horses lying down at night, and 

 blankets wash and dry much better than cloth. 



When the night suit is removed, previous to the morning dressing, it should be brushed 

 and sponged over to remove stains, and hung out of doors, or in a draught under cover, 

 to dry. 



If, from false economy, the same clothing be worn by a horse day and night, he will 

 constantly be wearing it not only dirty but damp, to the injury of his health and appearance, 

 and would be much better without any clothing at all. 



A groom, like a sailor, should be able to use a tailor's needle and a saddler's awl. The 

 best are the most willing to be generally useful in their own departments. 



The best blankets for the purpose are coloured brown or blue, similar to those manufactured 

 for the use of the army and navy. The groom should be able to cut the quarter-cloth out 

 to the proper shape, and any village saddler can attach the strap and buckle. 



All the horse-cloths, if properly taken care of, on the principle that a stitch in time 

 saves nine, will last for years. The night clothing, which is more liable to be torn, should 

 be carefully examined and repaired every day when it is taken off and hung up to dry. 



In a show stable, where the owner is in the habit of bringing his friends to admire his 

 stud and smoke a cigar, the lu.xuries of fine-coloured quarter-cloths, beautifully emblazoned 

 with his crest, will of course be indulged in, and then they had better be obtained from a 

 first-cla.ss saddler. But a horse may be kept quite as warm as is desirable, at half the cost, 

 b)' using the cheaper material. 



