'HANDS' AND OTHER MATTERS 129 



always treat them with the same rules that apply- 

 to our own comfort and health, we shall never be 

 far wrong. So that when we have finished our 

 day's hunting, or concluded our polo, then they 

 will be all the better for being allowed to drink 

 as much as they require. 



Rugs, — The same thing applies to rugging up. 

 When we are steaming hot after our tennis, we 

 don't put a greatcoat on immediately, when the 

 sight of it is actually repulsive. We wait a few 

 minutes until we have cooled somewhat, and then 

 put on warmer clothes. So in like manner is it 

 with a horse. Do not rug him up until the sweat 

 on him is beginning to turn cold. That is the time 

 for rugs, and not till then. I often think how a 

 horse must hate it, when really hot, to have a 

 horribly heavy woollen rug thrown over him. But 

 as he is unable to protest, many people don't quite 

 realize it. 



Bran Mashes, — There is another point which is 

 grounded deeply into all grooms, so deeply that it 

 will perhaps never be eradicated. It is that when- 

 ever a horse comes back from hunting, he must 

 have a hot drink, followed by a bran mash. This 

 idea is only of importance when a horse comes 

 back exhausted, which (apart from hunt servants) 

 is a condition they should be seldom in with good 

 and judicious riding. Of course, like ourselves if 

 we come back in an exhausted condition, a horse 

 requires all the stimulant possible, and his diges- 

 tion should not be overtaxed with hard corn. But 

 if he is not in this condition, what then? Like 



K 



