GROOMING TOOLS AND THEIR USES. 327 



Stable brushes, like almost all other brushes, have a large 

 number of tufts (bundles) of bristles or vegetable fibres which 

 are respectively doubled on themselves, passed through holes 

 in the wood and secured behind. The brush is usually com- 

 pleted by a wooden back, which should be screwed (not 

 merely glued) on to the wood that carries the bristles or 

 fibres. 



The " hairs " of all stable brushes, except those of dandy- 



Fig. 55. Grooming Tools. i. Dandy-brush. 2. Water-brush. 3. Body-brush. 

 4. Burnisher. 5. Half-moon sweat-scraper. 6. Mane-comb. 7. Curry- 



comb. 8. Hoof-picker. 9. Double-handed sweat-scraper. 



brushes, should consist of pigs' bristles, which are usually 

 obtained from Russia. The hairs of inferior brushes are often 

 largely adulterated with vegetable fibres which closely re- 

 semble bristles ; but the fraud can be easily detected, as Mr. 

 T. U. Clarke, the Rugby saddler, showed me, by applying 

 fire, a lighted match for instance, to the hairs, which, if false, 

 will readily burn. Bristles will frizzle, char, and give off 

 a characteristic odour, but will not ignite. The vegetable 



