FIRST-HAND BITS OF STABLE LORE 



the animal is to work in winter, and is heavy 

 coated. That washing should be advised is con- 

 trary to general practise, but that has no bearing 

 on its practical advantage. A cold bath and 

 shower, followed by a quick scrape and rub-out 

 (alcohol shampoo to follow, if desired), is as in- 

 vigorating to your horse as to yourself, and just 

 as healthful. Moreover, the recipient is left 

 absolutely clean, as he should always be and 

 seldom is. There need be, and should be, no 

 more " horsey *' smell to your steed and his 

 clothing than to yourself. Clean clothing is a 

 luxury to him as to you, and you had far better 

 be untidy than to have him appear so. A lazy 

 groom can so smear a horse over with damp 

 sponge and rub-cloth that he shall look fairly 

 well to the eye ; but if you know that he receives 

 a bath daily, or thrice weekly, he will come very 

 near being sweet and savory all the time. 



If the lungs and skin are regularly well cleansed 

 the highroad to health will be in sight, and it but 

 remains to see that the digestive organs are 

 properly nourished and regularly flushed to at- 

 tain the goal of perfect physical condition. So 

 far as nutriment goes, hay is, of course, the staple, 

 and furnishes in addition the bulk which is needed 



64 



