124 THE HORSE 



chill if his extremities are bare as if he was entirely 

 clipped. In rough countries the legs of hunters 

 are often left undipped to save them from slight in- 

 juries. Some people leave the hah under the sad- 

 dle of a riding horse. Is is difficult to see what 

 benefit results from doing so, as the long hah can 

 only add to the heat of a part which ^dll in any 

 case become heated, and the risk of a sore back is 

 increased thereb}^ 



One thick cloth is enough covering for the body 

 of a cUpped horse in the average stable. The legs 

 and feet of the horse, which has had his hair arti- 

 ficially removed from them, get colder than they 

 ought, and for this reason the hair should be left 

 on the legs of all horses, whatever their work. If 

 the hair is removed, bandaging is the only way in 

 which the extremities can be protected, and con- 

 tinual bandaging is not advisable. The horse- 

 cloth should always meet over the chest. It must 

 always be remembered that the horse must nat- 

 urally feel the artificial removal of his protective 

 covering during the time of year when natm-e has 

 provided him with it because he requires it, and 

 that, therefore, he must be supplied with a fair 

 substitute if it is desired to keep him in health and 

 condition. It is usual to supply a common night- 



