256 THE HORSE 



Clothing. 



Clothing must be regulated according to the requirements 

 of the animal, one rug in summer and two in winter 

 sufficing in ordinary cases. But at any time of the year 

 if an animal's coat is seen to be staring", and it appears 

 chilly to the hand, something additional should be thrown 

 over the rest of the clothing, or the horse is certain to 

 suffer from a " chill." A careful groom, who studies the 

 wants of his charges, can thus prevent many a cold, for the 

 proverbial "stitch in time" is extremely important when 

 dealing with horses. Often an ordinary hood placed over 

 the quarters and loins will afford just that additional 

 warmth which is needed at the moment to keep the circula- 

 tion up to the necessary point. The ends of all rugs should 

 be so shaped as to come together in front, and be there 

 secured with a broad strap and buckle, and if, as is now 

 frequently done, the rugs do not meet underneath, and be 

 there fastened with a buckle, they will need to be made 

 secure with a roller round the body. Rugs must be well 

 hollowed out over the withers, and need careful attention 

 in this respect, it being noted whether the rug presses upon 

 the withers when the roller is fastened in its place. If the 

 rug should appear to be drawn tight over the withers it 

 must at once have an additional piece added by the saddler, 

 or a sore place will be engendered, which may eventually 

 suppurate if the cause is not at once removed. 



In very hot weather, in summer, a linen sheet should 

 be used instead of a rug, merely to prevent flies from 

 settling on the horse and causing annoyance. 



There should be different sets of clothing for day and 

 night, and when expense is no object, another set for 

 exercise also. But when extra luxury cannot be afforded, 

 the underneath night rug can be used for exercising in, as 

 there should be time to dry it before the evening if it has 

 rained during the time the horse was out of the stable. 



At race-meetings the American rug, which is now a 

 familiar sight, has an advantage over the ordinary hood 

 and rug, in affording more complete protection from the 



