CLIPPING AND SINGEING. 97 



work in cold weather, clothing is necessary. For the former it 

 is required all the year round, but in warm weather it may be 

 limited to a light sheet to keep off the dust ; in cold weather, 

 however, the clothing must be warm, to maintain the tempera- 

 ture of the surface of the body, and keep the horse in good 

 condition. Keeping the body warm is a saving in food, 

 strength, and vigour. 



Horses doing slow work, and which have thick greasy 

 coats, do not require to be clothed. The quantity of clothing 

 to be worn will depend upon circumstances, the chief of which 

 is the temperature of the stable ; but it should never be so 

 much as to induce perspiration. It must be remembered that 

 it is far better to keep a horse warm by clothing than by 

 keeping him in a hot stable. If a roller is worn, it should be 

 well padded on the back, with a channel for the spine, as 

 injury of this part is very common when this is not attended 

 to. If the horse has high withers, the blanket should be 

 well hollowed out in that part, with a view of preventing 

 bruise or chafing ; a strap and buckle should secure the two 

 ends of the blanket over the chest. In some stables two suits 

 of clothing are allowed one for the day, another for the 

 night; this permits of the clothing being well brushed and 

 aired when not worn. If only one suit is used, it should be 

 aired and cleaned when the horse is out at exercise or work. 



CLIPPING AND SINGEING. 



With well-bred, fine-skinned horses kept in comfortable 

 stables, and having good grooming and clothing, the natural 

 coat, except when they are aged, need not be interfered with \ 

 but there are horses which, in conditions opposite to those 

 mentioned, carry longer coats in winter, and if made to do fast 

 work, perspire so much that they do not dry again for a long 

 time ; and, besides, wearing a heavy coat appears to make them 

 H 



