THE HORSE'S COAT IN SPRING, SUM- 

 MER, AUTUMN AND WINTER 



The state of a horse's coat indicates, in a con- 

 siderable measure, the general condition of the 

 individual. If the coat gets into bad condition 

 in a horse that is worked, it will soon injuriously 

 affect his general health, which will show itself 

 by loss of flesh, life and vigor. The care of the 

 coat then, outside of the question of appearance, 

 has an important influence in contributing to a 

 horse's well-being. 



If we had summer-like weather all the year 

 round, with its genial warmth to encourage the 

 activity of the skin, we should have very little 

 trouble with the coat, as it would then remain 

 short and sleek, with very little care. With the 

 changes of season, however, and great variations 

 of temperature, we find marked alterations in 

 it. The horse's skin, and its appendage, the 

 coat, are very sensitive to climatic conditions, and 

 nature makes an effort to change the coat to suit 

 altered states. Nature is very successful in this 

 while a horse is roaming about under natural con- 



98 



