SECRETARY'S REPORT. 201 



is found to answer extremely well, being much neater than 

 nuick, and cheaper than straw. Animals lying upon sand are 

 much less liable to attacks of lice, or of skin diseases, than when 

 supplied with beds of litter of any kind. It furnishes the best 

 possible material for horses to stand upon, because it does not 

 tread down like clay, muck or loam, and consequently affords 

 some pressure upon the frog. It is also an excellent conductor 

 of heat, and keeps the feet cool ; but, for this very reason, makes 

 a cold bed, and working horses should have beds of straw. 



Sawdust is also quite largely employed as bedding for stock, 

 and an absorbent of liquid manures. It-has been said that 

 chestnut sawdust contains an acid, which exerts a prejudicial 

 effect upon the feet of horses, and dry sawdust of any kind must 

 have a tendency to desiccate and heat them. 



The highest health and comfort of a horse demand that he 

 should be thoroughly cleaned every morning, whether worked 

 or not, and after labor he should always be carefully dressed 

 over before he is left for the night. It is no easy or simple thing 

 to clean a horse well, and yet if done regularly and properly, it 

 need not consume a great amount of time. The essential tools 

 for the operation are a curry-comb or card, a good brush, a 

 coarse comb for the mane and tail, a sweat-knife or scraper, a 

 supply of old woollen and cotton cloths, for rubbers, plenty of 

 hay or straw for wisps, a pick for cleaning the feet, and a large 

 sponge for washing or wiping, to remove superfluous moisture. 



In cleaning a horse, first select a suitable place — out of doors, 

 if possible, — where there is room enough for the horse to turn 

 without inconvenience, and hitch him in such a way that he 

 cannot bite or strike any thing with his fore feet. Then proceed 

 in a quiet and gentle manner to curry every part of his body, 

 where he will allow it without much flinching, but be very 

 cautious about the head, legs and flanks, and if the horse be 

 very sensitive, these parts should be cleaned with the sponge, 

 or with wisps and the brush. 



Having thus given the skin a thorough scratching, and loosened 

 the dandruff, proceed to remove it perfectly with the brush, and 

 finally with a damp cloth. Next, comb out the mane and tail, 

 being very careful not to break or pull out the hair. The mane 

 will lie better, if smoothed with a wet brush. Now replace the 

 blanket, laying it on a little forward of its place, and drawing 



