THE HORSE 123 



may result from the delay may be minimized by 

 clothing the animal warmly and putting on band- 

 ages, or by having it led about with saddle on un- 

 til it can be attended to. 



Grooming with a hard brush immediately after 

 exercise is essential to the health of a horse, as the 

 pores are then all open and the brush will thor- 

 oughly clean the skin. Extra grooming should 

 always be insisted on as a substitute for exercise 

 in bad weather. 



Clipping 

 Well-bred horses kept continually stabled sel- 

 dom want clipping, and if the animals have to do 

 work which entails much standing about, it is cer- 

 tainly not to be recommended. Clipped horses 

 are easier to clean and dry, and can (theoretically) 

 do their work better, than horses carrying a long 

 winter coat ; but against this it is necessary to put 

 the increased liabilitj^ (and consequent risk of total 

 or temporary loss) of the animals catching cold, 

 and the additional expense of providing blankets, 

 clipping machine, etc. The method of clipping 

 the legs and belly only, mth the idea of leaving a 

 warm covering over back and loins, is not to be 

 recommended, as the horse is as likely to contract 



