CLOTHING WHEir WET. , 59 



Olothmg the animal, in the Stable, when Wet. — The plan 

 generally recommended as to horses brought into the stable 

 thoroughly drenched with rain, or wet from the operation of 

 washing, is to have them well rubbed with wisps of straw, and 

 with wash leathers, until they are dry. This plan is, however, 

 objectionable in many ways ; for, vrithout possessing much com- 

 pensating good, it has many attendant evUs. In the first place, 

 if the circumstance of the animal being in this state has arisen 

 from severe and prolonged labour, rubbing delays the period of 

 his getting to rest ; since to rub a wet horse dry, is a work of 

 considerable time, and the animal under the circumstances is 

 apt to become chilled, a condition of body which may induce 

 pneumonia, inflammation of the bowels, or other kindred dis- 

 eases. A better plan, therefore, is at once to scrape briskly the 

 body and Umbs, then to clothe the former, and bandage the 

 latter. Nothing less than an entire suit of clothing, and a large 

 woollen rug in addition, should under these special conditions 

 be deemed sufficient. The value of the extra rug is this : — 

 woollen clothing, when placed in immediate contact with wet, 

 rapidly absorbs it ; and if two rugs are placed one upon the 

 other (the lowest one being in contact with the wet skin), all 

 the wet will rise to the surface of the upper rug, so that after a 

 sufficient time, and when the drying process is complete (which 

 is much more readily eifected by this than by the means ordi- 

 narily pursued), it is only necessary to remove the top rug, and 

 the horse wUl be found dry, warm, and comforable. Nor will he 

 have experienced the slightest irritation, but on the contrary an 

 extra amount of warmth and comfort to the exhausted frame. 



While upon the subject of clothing, it may prove of advan- 

 tage to many if I describe the manner in which the body rug 

 should be put upon the horse. A good criterion of an expe- 

 rienced groom, or amateur of horses, will be found in the neat 



