134 



HEALTH AND DISEASE 



Fig. 484. Curry-comb 



reasons the heading "individual hygiene" must be applied to the acts of 

 the individual who attends to the horse, the animal itself being only called 

 upon to submit to what is done for it or what it is constrained to do. 



The author of Veterinary Hygiene adopts Dr. Parkes's classification 

 generally, and deals with such matters as grooming, clipping, clothing, 



bedding, and other items 

 of stable management, 

 which vary considerably 

 in different establishments, 

 according to the character 

 of the work which the 

 horse has to perform, or 

 the views of the owner as- 

 to the comforts which are 

 necessary for the animal's 

 well-being, or the amount 

 of luxury even which may 

 be allowable in reference 

 to stable construction and stable appliances. 



Grooming is the term which is used to include the various methods of 

 cleaning horses, whether engaged in work or resting in the stable. The 



o o o o 



instruments employed for the purpose include brushes of different degrees- 

 of hardness; a curry-comb, which is a kind of iron rake with fine teeth; 



wisps, which are small bundles of 

 hay or straw twisted up into a con- 

 venient shape by the stable atten- 

 dant who employs them; sponges,, 

 and an iron hook which is employed 

 for removing mud from the feet. 

 A thin flexible band of steel with- 

 handles at each end, known as a 

 scraper, is also employed for scrap- 

 "Qg wet mud from the sides and 

 other parts of a horse on a return 

 from a journey in \vet muddy weather. 



In the ordinary course, horses are groomed in the morning for the 

 purpose of cleaning the skin from the dirt which may have accumulated 

 during the night. This application of the brush with a certain amount of 

 force not only removes the surface dirt, but also stimulates the skin and 

 improves the circulation. It is usual to follow the brush by the wisp of 

 hay or straw, and this part of the process is usually carried on by the stable- 



. 48.5. Scraper 



