WARMTH. 163 



to get at the clothing, but it also prevents him from lying 

 down. The other mode is to tie the horse's head to the hay- 

 rack ; of course he must be liberated when he is to lie down 

 or to feed. 



In some stables the clothing is removed every night. The 

 clothes last a great deal longer, but the practice of removing 

 them at night, is advisable only when the clothing is light, or 

 when the stables are warmer at night than in the daytime, 

 which is generally the case. 



Application and Care of the Clothes. — In putting on the 

 hood, care must be taken that the ears are fairly inserted, the 

 eyes clear, and the strings sufficiently tight to keep the hood 

 in its place without galling the skin. The breast-piece must 

 not be drawn up so much as to press upon the windpipe when 

 the horse's head is directed to the ground. The quarter- 

 piece should be thrown well forward and subsequently adjust- 

 ed by drawing it back, so as to lay the hairs, not to raise 

 them, by pulling the cloth forward or sidewise. The sur- 

 cingle is to be placed on the middle of the back, and the pad 

 fairly adjusted. Both the surcingle and the breast-band are 

 to be just tight enough to keep the clothing in place. Sweat- 

 ing-clothes are to be closely and generally applied, but must 

 not descend so far upon the horse's legs as to encumber his 

 action. The breast-band and the breast-piece are to be quite 

 slack. The saddle alone keeps them from shifting backward. 



All the clothing is to be shook and dried every morning, 

 after dressing the horse. The loose hair and dust can be 

 removed by beating and brushing. A small birch broom is 

 convenient for taking off loose hair ; that which is packed 

 and woven into the cloth does no harm. When soiled by 

 urine, the clothing must be wholly or partially washed with 

 soap and water. The summer clothing is to be repaired, 

 washed, dried, and laid carefully away, on the approach of 

 winter. Now and then it may be examined and aired. The 

 woollen articles, when out of use, are to be kept perfectly 

 dry ; they should be examined every month, brushed, and 

 aired in the sun. 



