308 PRACTICAL HINTS ON STABLE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA. 
during the cold season than at any other time of the year. From 
reading these signs correctly, man was in the first instance 
induced to provide adequate shelter and extra clothing for 
horses, for by so doing he is, in reality, applying the lesson 
taught by Nature herself, and we can inflict no greater slight 
on the dame than by persuading ourselves that in neglecting 
our four-footed friends in any way we are acting in obedience to 
her laws. 
Shelter .—That horses appreciate the comfort of a stable I 
have had ample proof on various occasions, for I have seen them, 
time after time, rush in a body to gain the shelter of the stable, 
after having been loose in the paddock about two hours, and 
they were with difficulty kept out until the regulation hour 
arrived at which they were allowed to enter, their freedom, 
simulating as it did the wild state they are supposed to enjoy so 
much, having evidently palled on them, or they had sense enough 
to know what was best for their health. 
Again, see any trooper loose, or a remount break away while 
en route to join his regiment, and note how frequently the one 
will at once gallop back to his lines, and the other to the depot 
stables from whence he started, although he may in some instances 
have to retravel a considerable distance, and had not been stabled 
there-heyond a single year. 
Clothing .—I have already mentioned the building with the 
appliances necessary to render that perfect as a shelter, and will 
now speak of that valuable accessory to stable regime, “ horse 
clothing.” / 
In this land we use the woollen blanket of native manufac¬ 
ture as a covering for both horses and bullocks, while at home, 
as we all know, horse clothing is made of various materials cut 
in suits. 
Materials .—The materials used are as follows : 
1. Kersey, a species of woollen cloth. 
2. Prince’s check, a cloth stamped with a variegated pattern. 
3. White linen. 
4. A woollen fabric known as horse blanketing. 
Suits .—A suit of horse clothing, of any material, comprises 
body cloth, with quarter, breast, and pad cloths, a body roller 
or surcingle, and a hood. 
Country blankets .—For army purposes two large country 
blankets are allowed for each horse, and are used in the rough ; 
but it would be better if one of these articles were cut out to fit 
the horse like the English body cloth, then lined with doosootie, 
and covered externally with tat or sacking; this will convert it 
into a comfortable, durable, warm, and inexpensive cloth. The 
cloth thus converted (both being in use) should be put on over 
