THE HORSE'S COAT 99 



ditions, and a horse so circumstanced can stand 

 great extremes of temperature without suffering; 

 but as soon as he is put to work and exerted to a 

 sufficient extent to heat him up, he then requires 

 artificial care, in order to maintain good condi- 

 tion. 



As has been already stated, the coat is more 

 easily kept in a satisfactory state during the sum- 

 mer than at any other season of the year. The 

 heat of summer encourages sweating, and this is 

 beneficial rather than injurious, within certain 

 limits, so long as the horse "cools out" and dries 

 up in a normal manner. This is more readily ac- 

 complished in the summer than at any other time, 

 owing to the shortness of the coat, and the little 

 danger from drafts at this season of the year. 

 Nothing is more injurious to a horse in this con- 

 nection than allowing his coat to remain wet. At 

 certain times of the year, when it is long, some 

 horses will remain wet for hours after having 

 been exerted, unless they receive great attention. 

 The frequent occurrence of this will soon cause 

 unthriftiness. Standing with a wet coat in this 

 way frequently has a most relaxing effect upon 

 the system, and must be guarded against. In 

 summer time there is very little difficulty about 

 this, but there is one form of treatment very much 

 neglected in hot weather, which is of great bene- 

 fit if properly applied. The coats of horses that 



