312 THE HORSE 



BLANKETS 



What has been said in regard to the use of blankets, 

 in Chapter XVII, is true with slight modification when 

 applied to their use on draft- and far in -horses. Stable 

 blankets when judiciously used promote health and 

 economize labor, but, when used injudiciously or of too 

 heavy weight, they tend to injure appetite and to make 

 horses more sensitive to the many vicissitudes which 

 they are called upon to pass through. 



Fly -blankets to be used outside of the stables are 

 not to be recommended; fly -nets are, under certain 

 conditions. Farm -horses should always be supplied 

 with a throat -latch cloth when the annoying bot-flies 

 are present. Fly -blankets of strong enough material 

 to last a reasonable length of time prevent the free 

 radiation of heat and moisture from the body. Leather 

 fly-nets are not objectionable. Fly-nets and fly-blankets 

 are both annoying to the teamster, are more or less 

 expensive, and should not be used if reliable material 

 for spraying the horse can be secured. The "Eureka 

 Fly-killer" and some others are fairly satisfactory when 

 used twice daily; they largely protect the animal, and 

 do not soil or injure the hair, and, all things considered, 

 they are cheaper and more satisfactory outdoor fly- 

 protectors than blankets. A little sprayer suitable for 

 applying the material can be purchased at almost any 

 hardware store for a dollar or less. 



Even more pains should be taken in fitting the 

 harness of draft- and farm -horses than of drivers. 

 See Chapter XVII. 



