340 GROOMING. 



quarters, when the brushing is finished, quarter-marks, of 

 which the most common is the " diamond." This mark is 

 made by brushing the quarter with the body-brush, from 

 front to rear in the direction the hair lies ; then drawing 

 a stroke with the brush down the centre of the quarter 

 in a perpendicular direction, so as to ruffle the hair ; and 

 finally smoothening with the brush the upper and lower 

 portion of the quarter, so as to leave a " diamond, " or 

 rather a rhombus with sides about 4 inches long. The rough 

 hair of the quarter-mark will naturally enhance by contrast 

 the brilliancy of the remainder of the coat of that part. The 

 pattern can be varied at pleasure. Some trainers affect par- 

 ticular kinds of quarter-marks, and others pay no attention 

 to such fancy work. 



Supposing that there is only one man to strap a horse whicli 

 has returned hot from work, he should water the animal, and 

 if possible walk him about until he is quite cool. If this 

 exercise cannot be given, the man should slacken the girths, 

 shift the saddle a little, and leave it on for about half an hour, 

 while he proceeds with the grooming of the other parts. 

 After taking off the saddle, he can examine and dress the 

 back in the manner already described. The reason for 

 keeping on the saddle for the time specified, is that it 

 is difficult for one man to dress the back and the remainder 

 of the body with sufficient quickness to avoid chill, and 

 that his labour in this respect can be considerably lightened 

 by the horse's back being allowed to cool down safely, which 

 it will do if the saddle is kept on. When a horse has carried 

 a rider for a long time, especially over a country, the pressure 

 transmitted by the saddle to the back, will have caused a 

 certain amount of anaemia (bloodlessness) in the bearing 

 surfaces of the back. If these surfaces be exposed to the 

 comparatively cold air of the atmosphere by the removal of 

 the saddle, the anaemia will become aggravated, and a sore 



