CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE HORSE 365 



I use nets or blankets will depend on the circumstances, 

 he blanket, being much warmer and not so presentable 

 as the net, is not advised by many persons; but there are 

 conditions in which it proves very desirable, particularly 

 on horses whose color is such as to fade on being exposed 

 to the direct rays of the sun. Nets are more presentable 

 and, therefore, more desired by horsemen generally. Both 

 nets and blankets are rather annoying to the teamster, 

 warm to the horses, and more or less expensive, for 

 which reasons they are often discarded entirely. How- 



fig. 162.— FRENCH COACH GRADES, WELL HITCHED AND WELL GROOMED 



ever, when the botflies are present, the work horse should 

 always be provided with a throat latch cloth, as these 

 flies are very annoying, and the animal in fighting them 

 often becomes excited, with a consequent lessening of his 

 usefulness. 



Temperature of the stable. — The temperature in the 

 horse stable may vary according to circumstances. The 

 horse is thought to be a native of the north, and can en- 

 dure almost any temperature so long as the stable is dry 

 and free from drafts of air. Above all things, however, 

 we must avoid changes, as taking a horse from a stable 

 provided with artificial heat and compelling him to stand 



