DRESSING THE MANE AND TAIL 91 



English trainers usually teach their stable lads to make 

 on their horses' quarters, when the grooming is finished, 

 "quarter marks," of which the most common is the 

 *' diamond." This mark is made by brushing the quarter 

 with the body brush, from front to rear, in the direction 

 the hair lies ; then drawing a stroke with the brush down 

 the centre of the quarter, in a perpendicular direction, so 

 as to ruffle the hair ; and, finally, smoothening, with the 

 brush, the upper and lower portion of the quarter, so as 

 to leave a " diamond," or rather a rhombus, of, say, about 

 4 in. wide. The rough hair of the quarter mark will, 

 naturally, enhance by contrast the brilliancy of the 

 remainder of the coat of that part. The pattern may be 

 varied at pleasure. Some trainers affect one, some 

 another kind of distinctive mark ; while others pay no 

 attention to them. 



Dressing the Mane and Tail.— The brushing of the 

 body being finished, the syce should brush out the fore- 

 lock, mane, and tail, taking care, first of all, to commence 

 at the ends of the hair, and to proceed upwards as each kink 

 or knot becomes opened out. The hairs, by small locks 

 at a time, should be brushed from their roots downwards, 

 so as to remove all dandruff. The mane-comb should be 

 used only when it is desired to keep the mane or tail thin. 



It is the custom to make the mane lie to the off side ; 

 for, as we usually look at a horse from the near side, his 

 neck and shoulders — if they be good — will then appear to 

 greater advantage than if the lines were broken by the 

 mane. 



The off-horse of a carriage pair may have his mane 

 groomed to the near side. 



