CLIPPING vs. LONG COATS. 191 



in the intervals of their work. They would break out afresh when 

 apparently cool, and by no possible means could they be thoroughly 

 dried. This, of course, wasted their flesh to a frightful extent, but 

 on clipping them it was soon put on again, showing the great 

 advantage of the plan. A chronic cough a'most always accom- 

 panies this state of constant sweat, and it will be lucky for the 

 owner of a horse so treated if it does not become acute and put an 

 end to the miserable existence of the poor ill-treated brute. The 

 case is not always fairly put, as, for instance, by Stewart, in his 

 Stable Economy, at page 120, where he says, " A long coat takes 

 up a deal of moisture, and is difficult to dry ; but whether wet or 

 dry it affords some defence to the skin, which is laid bare to every 

 breath of air when deprived of its natural covering. Every one 

 must know from himself whether wet clothing and a wet skin, or 

 no clothing and a wet skin, is the most disagreeable and danger- 

 ous. It is true that clipping saves the groom a great deal of labor. 

 He can dry the horse in half the time, and with less than half of 

 the exertion which a long coat requires ; but it makes his atten- 

 tion and activity more necessary, for the horse is almost sure to 

 catch cold, if not dried immediately. When well clothed with 

 hair he is in less danger, and not so much dependent on the care 

 of his groom." Now, I maintain that this passage is full of falla- 

 cies and misstatements. The comparison is not between wet cloth- 

 ing and a wet skin, and no clothing and a wet skiri ; but, as I have 

 before observed, between a wet long coat and a dry short one. The 

 clipping removes the tendency to sweat, or if this secretion is 

 poured out it ceases directly the exercise which produced it is 

 stopped. But taking Mr. Stewart on his own terms, who has not 

 experienced the relief which is afforded by taking off wet gloves 

 and exposing the naked hands to the same amount of wind and 

 cold? This is exactly the case as he puts it, and tells directly 

 against his argument; but it is scarcely worth while to discuss the 

 subject at any length, for I know no horseman of experience in 

 the present day who does not advocate the use of the scissors or 

 the lamp, whenever the winter coat is much longer than that of 

 summer. That horses are occasionally to be met with which show 

 little or no change in the autumn I know full well; but these are 

 the exceptions to the rule, being few and far between. The vast 

 majority would have their hair from one to two inches long if left 

 in its natural state, and they would then be wholly unfit for the 

 uses to which they were put. We may therefore consider that it 

 is admitted to be the best plan to shorten the coat in the autumn, 

 and all I have to do is to discuss the best modes of effecting the 

 purpose, with a view to decide whether clipping or singeing is to 

 be preferred. 



Clipping is seldom performed by any but the professed artist. 



