100 ESSAYS ON HORSE SUBJECTS 



are frequently warmed up in hot weather get 

 sticky, greasy and stained, and it is almost im- 

 possible to get them perfectly clean and glossy 

 without giving them a good washing at intervals. 

 Some horsemen are afraid to adopt this treat- 

 ment, but it is not at all dangerous, and most 

 beneficial if properly carried out. As a rule it 

 is only necessary on very hot days, and if it is 

 done on cool ones, care must be taken to "dry 

 out" carefully to avoid chills. When a horse 

 comes in on a hot day, having sweated more or 

 less profusely, water that has been warmed in 

 the sun should be freely sponged over him. This 

 should then be thoroughly scraped off, and a 

 woolen cooler put over him; then he should be 

 walked for a while, if possible, until he cools 

 out. As soon as the coat is dry, grooming will 

 make him look and feel fresh and well. It is 

 not always necessary to use a cooler in "cooling 

 out" when it is very warm. 



The autumn is the most trying time of the 

 year to keep the coat in a satisfactory state, for 

 several reasons. A partial moult takes place at 

 this time, rendering the skin irritable to some ex- 

 tent. Besides, there are the extremes of cool 

 nights and warm days. The cool nights cause 

 the coat to grow and increase the tendency to 

 sweating when the animal is exerted during the 

 heat of the day. From the increased length of 



