96 HORSE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA. 



mane, is to cut it close, running the clipping machine 

 along the top of the crest, and then on each side, so as 

 to make the hair level. The old plan of hogging the 

 mane, so as to leave a bristling ridge of hair, is 

 tedious in execution and has a bad effect, in that, 

 instead of preserving the natural outline of the neck, 

 it gave the part an abnormally thick and high-crested 

 appearance. 



A switch tail may be trimmed in the same manner 

 as the mane. 



It is not the fashion to bang the tails of Arabs ; a 

 fine, thin tail being considered to be a mark of high 

 caste among them. 



Horses' tails ought not to be shortened after the 

 beginning of April, as their powers then will become 

 fully taxed in keeping off flies. They should not be 

 again trimmed before the month of October. 



The object of banging a horse's tail is to add to the 

 appearance of strength in his hind-quarters. The 

 usual length at which a horse's tail is banged, is such 

 that will enable the end of the tail, when pulled down, 

 to reach the point of the hock. The more "cobby" 

 the animal, the shorter may be the bang. 



The following are three methods for banging the 

 tail :- 



1st. Get an assistant to place his hand under the 

 dock, and to hold the tail in a position, similar to that 

 which it would assume were the animal walking ; then, 

 with a strong pair of scissors, cut the hair level at the 

 desired length. 



2nd. Bind the tail round with a piece of cord, about 

 six inches above the point at which it is to be divided, 



