56 THROUGH STABLE AND SADDLE-ROOM. 



Horse-clothing, therefore, becomes necessary. 



Most horses require during the twenty-four hours 

 from one to three rugs, according to the temperature 

 of the weather. 



It will be sufficient to state here that three good 

 rugs should be sufficient, as a general rule, for a 

 horse, even in the cold winter nights. If these are 

 really good and of proper weight, more than this 

 number is (except under extraordinary circum- 

 stances) apt to be weakening. 



A full suit of clothing consists of the following, 

 viz. : 



A quarter-sheet, hood, pad, roller, and fillet- 

 strinofs. One of these full suits is sufficient for 

 each horse, and is, as a rule, worn only during the 

 daytime, or when the horse is being led at exercise 

 in the winter. The hood is seldom required except 

 in the very severest weather, or when travelling by 

 rail, standing at a forge, etc. 



This full suit is generally made of kerseymere, 

 which is sold of various patterns, and bound with 

 some coloured cloth — or of plain fawn-coloured 

 kerseymere, bound with blue, red, yellow, etc. 



The colour is immaterial, provided the material 

 is good. If there is one colour which I have found 

 wear better and look smarter than any other, it is 

 what is known as the ' Oxford check,' and its 



