Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-04-19
GRonMING A HORSE.

The following. from the Aaericdn Agric,d-
huid. will be found very useful 20 a large
number of our readers
What do you give your horses to ke5p
them in such fine condition :" asked young
farmer of his neighbor, whose team of bays
were the pride of their owner and admira-
ton of the village. Oats. carrots and
plenty Of brush" was the reply. There is
little need Of insisting on the necessity OF
good food, and plenty of it, to have horse
remain vigorous. Every one knows that
bone. and sinew and muscle are manufactur-
cd from hay, oats, corn, &c, and that the raw
material must be supplied to produce the
strong limb, elastic step, noble spirit, which
makes a fine horse the universal favorite he
is But the important part which the skin
bears in the animal economy, and the necessi-
~ of properly cleansing and keeping it in
healthy condition, are not fully appreciated
Rough staring coats, grease or scratch
es," infammations, and a whole catalogue of
diseases, find their origin in neglect of pro-
per grooming
The skin Of the horse, like that of other
animals, not only affords protection to the
parts within, but by the pores affords an out
let to a large part of the waste of the body
In outdoor life, the natural state of the
horse, this membrane becomes thickened and
tough, capable of resisting changes Of tenn
perature: and by continual exercise, the pores
are kept open. giving free exit to all the ex-
halations. But this alone will not give the
smooth glossy coat which adds greatly to
the animals beauty Combining the horse to
the stable, as is generally done for at least
part OF the year, renders his skin tender, es-
pecially when he is kept warmly blanketed.-
Expose him now to great change of tempera-
ture take him out and drive him until heat
cd return him TO the stable, and let him stand
uncared for over night, even for an hour, the
sensitive skin is rapidly chilled by the eva
poration of the sweat, the pores are sudden
" closed, and often cold, a rheumatic stiff
ness, or other disorder, results. Proper
grooming prevents this, by toughening the
skin, keeping it in healthy action, equalizing
the circulation. removing obstruction from the
pores, and what is of great Importance, by
rousing the action OF the muscles at the sur
face, in some measure, compensates for the
want of exercise, consequent upon stable
life
Curryine and brushing should not be done
in the s,able the dust and scurf will be scat
tered in tho manger TO mix with the horse
feed, beside keeping the stable uncleanly.-
Take the animal into the open air, tie him Sc
curely, and handle nm so genty that ne Will
enjoy, rather than dread, the application of
the comb and brush. A sharp curry-comb,
roughly scraped over the tender skin, is any
thing but pleasant, as the shrinking and re-
sisting animal will soon show. Apply this
instrument lightly, and depend mainly on the
free use OF the brush. Begin at the head,
and pass the comb lightly up and down, until
the dandruH is all loosened, and remove it
with the brush. BE particular around the
edges of the foretop, and the name. 1t is a
good plan to sponge off the head and ears,
using but little water, smoothing the hair
down to its natural position. In going over
the back quarters, loins, &c, use the comb
in one hand and the brush in the other. work
ing lightly and quickly Take much pains
where the skin lies in folds at the union
of the legs with the body-let every part be
made thoroughly free from dust and dandruG.
Finish by rubbing down vigorously with
wsps of straw, until the hair shines like a
bottle"-an extra smoothing touch may be
put on with a wooden cloth. Do not fear all
this trouble it will be more than repaid in
the extra looks and spirit Of the horse.