USES AND PROPERTIES OF THE HAIR 42T 



OPERATION OF DECORATION. 



The Uses and Properties of the Hair, — That which forms 

 the general covering is intended to keep the horse warm. It con- 

 ducts heat very closely, and is therefore well adapted for retain- 

 ing it. It absorbs no moisture, and when the horse is in good 

 health, every hair is anointed with an oily sort of fluid which 

 imparts a beautiful gloss, and repels moisture. 



The hair is shed every spring and every autumn. The short 

 fine coat which suffices for the summer, aifords little protection 

 against the severities of winter ; it falls, and is replaced by 

 another of the same material, though longer and coarser. It is 

 not very obvious why the liorse should moult twice every year. 

 We might sujjpose that a mere increase in the length of the 

 summer coat would render it sufficiently warm for the winter. 

 AVithout doubt there is some reason why it is otherwise order- 

 ed. The hair perhaps is not of the same texture ; that of the 

 winter coat certainly appears to be coarser ; it is thicker, and it 

 requires more care to keep it glossy than the hair of a summer 

 coat. 



The hair is not cast all at once. Before losing its connection 

 with the skin it assumes a lighter color, and becomes dim and 

 deadlike. On some warm day a large quantity comes away, 

 which is not missed, though its fall is very evident. The pro- 

 cess seems to stop for several days and to recommence. Though 

 a little is always falling, yet there are times at which large 

 quantities come out, and it is said that the whole is shed at 

 thrice. Moulting, and the length and thickness of the coat, are 

 much influenced by the stable treatment and the weather. 

 Horses that are much and for a long time out of doors, exposed 

 to cold, always have the hair much longer than those kept in 

 warm stables, or those that are more in the stable than in the 

 open air. If the horse be kept warm and well fed, his winter 

 coat will be very little longer than that of summer, and it will 

 lie nearly as well. Moulting may even be entirely prevented ; 

 heavy clothing and warm stabling will keep the summer coat on 

 all winter. The horse, however, must not be often nor long ex- 

 posed to cold, for though he may be made to retain his summer 



