68 THE HORSE : ITS KEEP AND MANAGEMENT. 



Now I cannot see how any one can say this is good 

 for a horse. Take human beings for example, when we 

 have to walk or run, do we not like to be as lightly clad as 

 possible, then when we have finished our journey we put 

 on a big coat. If we run in a heavy coat we soon 

 perspire freely, so it is with horses. I maintain, those 

 which run do better if they are clipped: and these, after 

 they come in, should have a rug thrown over them. If 

 they are allow^ed to stand while out of doors they should 

 always have a rug thrown over their loins. 



I know I differ from many people as regards clipping 

 their legs. I do not believe in doing them below the 

 knee joints, unless the horse can have good attention. 

 For instance, when it comes in wet and dirty and is 

 washed or rubbed pardy dry, then bandaged up, I do 

 not object to the legs being clipped. In the ordinary 

 way, however, when they cannot have this care and 

 attention, the legs should not be clipped below the 

 knees. I find they are so much more subject to mud 

 fever when this is done than when the hair is left on 

 them. Veterinary surgeons tell us mud fever is brought 

 on through a chill in the blood. When horses get the 

 hair clipped close to the legs in cold weather they feel it 

 very much. No doubt this is owing in a great measure 

 to the animal's legs being so void of flesh, and nothing 

 but sinews, skin, and bone. The blood circulates down 

 the legs, therefore, if the latter are cold, the blood is 

 carried back through the body chilled. Gentlemen who 

 do a great deal of hunting, especially of late years, 

 seldom have their horses' legs clipped. 



