THE CARE OF HORSES. 805 
Another common mistake relates to the virtues of 
“rubbing down.” On a hot day, for example, a trav- 
eller arriving at his destination flings the reins to the 
hostler, and tells him to give the horse “a good rub- 
bing down.” But what the animal needs is to cool 
off, whereas rubbing tends to heat. A better treat- 
ment would be as follows. Take off the harness, and 
immediately sponge with cold water the parts under 
the collar or breastplate and under the saddle. Thus, 
and thus only, are sore backs and shoulders prevented. 
If there is any swelling, or as a precaution in hot 
weather, it is well to use arnica and water, in the 
proportion of two to one. Next sponge his nostrils 
and dock; then with a damp, but by no means a wet 
sponge, wipe the dust from his whole body; and, 
finally, let him drink two swallows of fresh water, 
and put him in a stall with plenty of bedding. When 
thoroughly cool he may be watered moderately, then 
fed, then groomed, watered again, and put to bed. It 
is best, of course, especially in hot weather, to have 
the horse walked about awhile instead of being put 
in his stall at once.? 
I remember seeing, years ago, a perfect illustration 
of what might be called fanatical rubbing down. It 
was in a trotting race of many heats, one of the com- 
petitors being a little bay stallion, much noted at the 
time, called William H. Allen. The practice then was 
to rub the horses dry with towels between heats, and 
1 “When a journey has been long continued and severe, the 
horse should not be immediately put into a stable, but ought to 
be walked gently about until the circulation of blood in the feet has 
had time to accommodate itself to the altered conditions of rest. 
By this means laminitis (inflammation of the feet) is averted.” 
Mr. George Fleming, F, R. G. 8. 
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