DRESSING THE MANE, TAIL, AND EARS. 207 



naked; but still they never become so soon nor so in- 

 tensely cold. 



DRESSING THE MANE, TAIL, AND EARS. 



The Mane. — When it is desired to make the mane lie on 

 tlie opposite side from that toward which it naturally grows, 

 it should be combed and wetted several times a day. This 

 will suffice if it is not very short and bushy ; in such case, 

 some of the hair may be pulled out from the under part, 

 on the side toward which it is desired to make it grow ; 

 this will generally cause it to fall easily. If this does not 

 suffice, the mane should be plaited in eight or ten braids, 

 the end of each being loaded with a bit of lead. When 

 the mane becomes too long, or too thick, a few of the hairs 

 should be pulled out, but it is necessary that this should 

 be done with care and judgment. 



The Tail. — If the tail of a horse is tolerably good, it may 

 be kept in proper order by being combed daily with a strong 

 comb. If the hair is inclined to be too wiry, and to stand 

 on end, it may sometimes be made to lie well by being 

 moistened, and either tied together at the ends or bound 

 around with a straw rope. If the tail become unhealthy 

 (which may be known by a dry scurf in the hair, accom- 

 panied by itching), it should never be combed, but should 

 be dressed by frequent wiping down with wet straw. It is 

 not the custom in this country to square the end of 

 the tail, and the only directions, therefore, which it is nec- 

 essary to give, are w4iat refers to the pointing of the switch 

 tail. To do this properly requires some skill. The tail 

 must be taken in the left hand, a small portion at a time, 

 and the knife, which is Jield in the right hand, with its edge 

 resting directly across the hair, should be moved up and 

 down over the hair in such a way as to rasp it off, leaving 

 the ends irregular in their lengths. 



