DETAILS OF GROOMING. 339 



into the sheath of the horse or gelding, gently draw the 

 animal's yard and sponge it clean. Neglect of this necessary 

 precaution is often the cause of a great deal of discomfort 

 to horses which are unable to draw their yard to stale, owing 

 to an accumulation of hard greasy matter (smegma) near 

 the opening of the sheath. The presence of this source 

 of irritation may be discovered by the fact, that instead 

 of the urine being discharged in the usual manner, it escapes 

 by an irregular flow from the sheath. 



If there are any stains on the knees, fetlocks, hocks or 

 other parts, as might be caused from contact with the 

 dung or urine while the animal is lying down, they can 

 be removed with a sponge and water-brush. During the 

 performance of this small operation, which as a rule is 

 necessary only with carriage horses, especially those with 

 white markings, as little water as practicable should be 

 used. When these stains are on the legs, it is well to remove 

 them during the early part of the grooming, and then apply 

 woollen bandages over the damp parts, which will soon be- 

 come dry underneath the flannel. 



For purposes of cleanliness and for the groom's con- 

 venience, a horse which is in a stall should be taken off 

 the pillar reins and racked up, before his hind quarters are 

 dressed. 



The coat may be finished off with a rubber, before applying 

 which, a slightly damped hay pad is sometimes used to set the 

 coat. The clothing is put on, care being taken to throw the 

 quarter-sheet or rug a little way in front of the withers, and 

 then draw it back, so that the coat may not be ruffled. 



The feet can be picked out, and, if necessary, cleaned 

 with a dry water-brush, or hoof-brush. If flannel bandages 

 have been put on, they should be removed, the legs hand- 

 rubbed, and fresh and dry bandages applied. 



Trainers often teach their lads to make on the horses' 



22* 



