146 Stable Management. 



and endangers health. The proof that horses are 

 well groomed, is shown by the clean, shiniiig skin 

 and absence of dirt on the finger when it is 

 passed over the hair. The operation not only 

 removes dirt, but causes a quickened circulation 

 of blood in the skin. This helps to remove by 

 perspiration useless parts from the body, and gives 

 further nutrition to the skin and hair, hence the 

 improved appearance, better health, and con- 

 sumption of a less amount of food than in other 

 horses. 



Dressing is usually carried on in successive 

 stages. 



First, the curry-comb is carefully used to all 

 parts when the hair is matted and glued down, 

 the direction being in that of the hair itself. 



Second, usually the straw wisp or dandy brush 

 to the whole of the body.* 



Third, the body brush in one hand and the 

 curry-comb held in the opposite, to remove dirt 

 from the bristles. The brush also goes over the 

 whole of the animal in a thorough manner. 



Fourth, the damp hay-wisp also, applied with 

 a will. 



Fifth, the dandy brush to mane and tail, and 



Lastly, the rubber, to use the whole of which 

 occupies fully one hour. 



The operation of dressing horses should always 

 be set about as soon as possible after entering 



* In hunting stables, this is the first operation. The 

 curry-comb is not used to the skin. 



