336 GROOMING. 



tributed pressure, as is specially liable to occur from the use 

 of a side-saddle. If the skin is not broken, the best way to 

 treat a lump of this kind is to pour into the hollow of the 

 hand a little spirits (whisky or methylated spirits for in- 

 stance), and rub it into the part with gentle friction, which 

 may be continued for about ten minutes. In any case, the 

 remainder of the back or shoulders should be well stimu- 

 lated by rubbing with the palms of the hands and a dry 

 rubber for preference. If the skin is broken, as may often 

 result from contact with the girths, Friar's balsam or 

 eucalyptus oil may be applied. In the meantime the groom 

 who is not looking after sore places, should thoroughly go 

 over the coat, from head to hocks, with the wisp, and as soon 

 as the other groom has finished with the bearing surfaces, he 

 should of course join in with his wisp. After the wisping has 

 been completed, the ears should be gently pulled several 

 times between the fingers and palms of the hands 

 (*' stripped "), which is a process that always appears, to 

 refresh a horse. 



If the beneficial plan of walking a horse which returns 

 heated from work, so as to dry him, is not practicable, he 

 should be taken into the stable, watered, scraped and dried, 

 if necessary ; his skin vigorously stimulated by wisping ; and 

 the details which have just been described, should be 

 carried out. 



If the animal has returned cool from work in clothing, 

 or if he has not left the stable, the hood and breast-piece 

 should be taken off, and the head and neck well wisped. 

 The rug (after unbuckling its breast strap), or quarter-sheet, 

 or both, as the case may be, can be turned back as far as 

 they will go, without undoing the roller, and the breast 

 and shoulders gone over. The roller can now be removed, 

 the remainder of the clothing taken off, and the body and 

 hind quarters wisped. 



