BLANKETING. 125 



being used as blankets in the stable ; though they are 

 admissible as coverings to throw over the back of a heated 

 horse on a cold day, whilst he is standing out of doors or in 

 an open shed, with the saddle or harness on, which allows 

 of sufficient, but not over, transpiration to take place. It 

 will be observed that it is not always the heaviest blanket 

 that is the warmest, but that which is fine and soft, made 

 of wool and not too porous, allowing some little for weight 

 also. The use of rubber coverings on carriage and some 

 other horses on wet days would be a positive injury to the 

 health were they worn close to the skin ; but this is obvi- 

 ated by their being fixed outside of the harness, insuring 

 much protection and good, with no bad result. The great 

 object of the blanket is to give warmth and comfort, and 

 its use should not be carried further, for it will then be 

 at the expense of the constitution, with a great liability 

 to disease. 



The soft wool blanket should always be placed next to 

 the skin of a horse that comes to the stable wet, with rain 

 or sweat, as it readily absorbs the moisture, to the great 

 comfort of the horse. Thick felt and kersey or cloth 

 blankets are not fit for this purpose, besides the latter is 

 too costly, and should be used only as day blankets, and 

 when at slow exercise. The softer and less costly are 

 for sweat and night blankets. Quarter-cords should be 

 fixed to the blanket when exercising, to prevent their 

 being turned up from behind by the wind, but blankets for 

 maT€& when in the stable should have none, as they 



