STABLES 265 



weather is encountered, with care that artificial protection is 

 always afforded, will render the horse more fit for work. Unless 

 a horse is afflicted with an exceptionally heavy coat, and cer- 

 tainly not unless he will be provided with ample clothing at all 

 times when not at work, he should not be clipped. 



Clipping is also resorted to in the spring after the shedding 

 process has begun, but before the new coat has started to grow 

 out, to obviate the disagreeable features of the shedding coat, 

 especially in the case of gray horses. Here, too, the substitu- 

 tion of blankets for the natiiral coat is required. 



Clothing consists of blankets of various weights, hoods, and 

 bandages. It serves to protect from cold, flies, and dirt. Show 

 horses are heavily blanketed and covered for the purpose of 

 keeping down their coats, although some fitters of draft horses 

 secure the highest bloom without blankets. All blankets should 

 fit comfortably, have their girths adjusted, and be put on in such 

 a way as to leave the hair smooth beneath tliem. 



The hlanJcet is usually folded once each way, the cross fold 

 being made first, then caught up so as to double lengthwise. The 

 blanket should be taken up in such manner as to unfold in the 

 reverse order from tlaat in which it was folded up. If this is 

 done the longitudinal fold will open as it is thrown over the horse, 

 and if carried well over his -withers, mth the open edges of the 

 transverse fold forward, the last step in the unfolding will bring 

 the blanket over the horse's loins and croup, drawing it in the 

 direction of the hair. To remove, it shoiild be folded transversely 

 backward, then caught up where the lengthwise fold is to come 

 and drawn off backwards in such- a manner as to leave the hair 

 smooth. 



Hoods are iised in conjunction with blankets on race and show 

 horses to cover all but the eyes, ears, and muzzle. It is impor- 

 tant that they should fit well about the eyes and ears. 



Bandages are used either to protect the extremities from chill, 

 in which case they are rolled loosely, or to exert gentle pressure 

 in order to prevent filling of the subcutaneous tissue, commonly 

 termed stocking. They are applied by starting at the middle of 

 the canon, rolling down to or including the fetlock joint, then 



