The Work Horse 265 



need not be largely used, except when the horse is partic- 

 ularly dirty or sweaty, when it will be needed to get the 

 hair in condition so that fiber brush, and later the bristle 

 brush, will thoroughly clean out the hair. A satisfactory 

 system of currying is to start with the curry comb and 

 fiber brush and thoroughly go over the animal with these 

 two instruments, and then follow over the animal with the 

 fiber brush, followed with the bristle brush, since the latter 

 will clean out the skin better than the fiber brush, although 

 it will not loosen the particles as well. The hair on the 

 legs must not be neglected, but must be thoroughly 

 brushed out. Otherwise this region will become impaired 

 and grease heel, mud fever, or other ailments may result. 

 The mane and tail should not be allowed to become too 

 heavy, but should be thinned out occasionally by pulling 

 or combing. On driving and saddle horses, the foretop 

 should be kept clipped short back to about three inches 

 behind the ears. Some men clip the foretop on draft 

 horses, and also clip their manes, but it is usually not cus- 

 tomary. When the mane under the collar is clipped, the 

 short stubby growth very often irritates the neck more 

 than the long hairs. This is especially true if it is not 

 kept short. 



BLANKETS 



The use of the blanket is to be recommended. In the 

 summer the blanket should be very thin. A light burlap, 

 little heavier than a fly net, is satisfactory. In the winter 

 a heavier one may be used, but not too heavy, for there is 

 more danger of the animal catching cold if he is accustomed 

 to a heavy blanket in the stable. A storm blanket should 

 be provided for the protection of the horse when obliged 

 to work or stand out in bad weather. For draft horses. 



