3i8 GROOMING. 



returns hot from work, is fully recognised. This intelligent 

 view which our best trainers take of grooming, has probably 

 originated, or at least been strengthened in their minds, by 

 the knowledge of the good effect produced by brisk rubbing 

 down, in the similar case of men who are in athletic train- 

 ing, or who are " wasting " for race-riding. Besides, in 

 high-class training stables, the welfare of the horses is not 

 sacrificed for the convenience of grooms or strappers. 



3. To give a polish to the coat and to lubricate the skin. 

 The oil which confers this gloss and pliability, is secreted by 

 glands that lie in the true skin close to the hair follicles, from 

 which the hair springs. As a rule, each hair is accompanied 

 by two of these glands, the oil of which is discharged by the 

 opening that gives exit to each hair. Some of these glands 

 open on the surface of the skin independently of the hair. 

 As this oil is brought in the first instance to the surface, its 

 softening action on the scarf-skin will be greatly promoted by 

 friction, which will cause it to penetrate into the scarf-skin 

 more or less deeply. Friction also distributes the oil through 

 the coat. The usual idea that friction brightens the coat and 

 lubricates the skin by stimulating the oil glands, appears 

 to me to be incorrect ; because, although exercise brings 

 much more blood to the surface than friction, as we see when 

 a horse sweats from work, it is not nearly so effective for 

 performing the duties in question. 



4. To stimulate the action of the skin. The two great 

 natural stimulants of the skin are exercise and atmospheric 

 heat ; thus we find that the skin of a horse can be stimulated 

 so highly by fast work, that it will become bathed in per- 

 spiration even in the Arctic Regions. The same thing 

 habitually occurs in the Tropics by the influence of atmo- 

 spheric heat, which is a subject we need not consider here. 

 When a horse performs work which is sufficient for health, 

 but which does not fatigue his lungs, the stimulation of his 



