98 THE HORSE : ITS TAMING, 



Grooming. — It is almost as necessary to the well- 

 being of the horse that he should be groomed properly 

 as that he should be fed and watered properly. 

 Grooming is very hard work, and to do it thoroughly 

 well, makes the groom perspire freely, even in winter 

 time. 



Some horses are much easier to groom than others ; 

 they are not so ticklish, and therefore stand quieter. 

 Grooms frequently lose their temper and patience 

 with a sensitive horse, and out of pure spite will use 

 the currycomb or body brush in a most outrageously 

 cruel and stupid manner. The currycomb should be 

 used most gently and neatly, and is meant only to 

 loosen the hair that has become matted with sweat 

 and dirt, and take out the rough of the dirt, so 

 as to make the work of the body brush easier and 

 better done. Nothing will clean or groom a horse 

 well but elbow grease judicially used ; a really 

 good groom will clean three horses better and in less 

 time than a bad or inexperienced groom will clean 

 one. As to the use of water on their legs and bellies 

 after hunting, I see no objection to it, rather the 

 reverse, provided the water is not cold, and the bathing 

 is done in a suitable place free from bad draughts, 

 and the horses being well dried afterwards. But one 

 practice I have seen pursued in many livery stables, 

 especially when the master is not about, cannot be 

 too strongly condemned It is that of leaving the 



